The growing number of materials that are available to architects has not only opened up innovation in design but also introduced a need to understand what the materials are and why they behave as they do. The course content will review metallic, ceramic and organic materials in the built environment and consider life cycle consequences, properties, selection and interactions within the natural and built environment. Newer materials such as composites, nanomaterials and biomimetics will be discussed and considered as a possible means to improve sustainable use of materials as well as implications to future generations.