Last week I presented a range of conceptual materials and technologies as part of a project setup by Building Futures, the think tank of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

The use of new materials and technologies will play a role in shaping our future surroundings. A major challenge is the integration of new materials, such as nanotech and composites, with our current surroundings and everyday products. They pose a major challenge for designers and engineers, as well as the rest of us that have to use and consume these less familiar technologies.

Nanotech is an exciting area of material development for designers. There are many examples of products and materials that harness the extreme properties of nanotech, such as self-cleaning surface coatings, super strong and super light composites, and colour-shifting finishes. The exciting potential of these new discoveries, such as carbon nanotubes, has yet to be fully explored in the design of our everyday surroundings. Recently, however, the use and applications of nanotech materials has been criticised, because the impact of these materials and substances on our health and environment is not yet fully understood.

Designers are familiar with proposing and designing many years ahead. New materials and technologies demonstrate a vision of what's around the corner. Whilst it is essential to take current knowledge and understanding into account, designers have another important role: to challenge the rest of us to see an otherwise unexpected future and choose to accept it as our destiny.

Image: Aerogel and Peter Tsou, JPL scientist, image courtesy of JPL/NASA