The worlds of architecture, fashion and ubiquitous computing are rapidly converging. Shape-changing polymers, parametric design, e-textiles, sensor networks, and intelligent interfaces are now positioned to provide the underpinnings of truly ubiquitous interactivity. Seamless and effective integration will determine our ability to create more cohesive computational systems that extend invisibly from on-body to indoor environment to urban-scale structures, and can more meaningfully respond to our personal and social activities.

20 researchersmet to develop the theme further at a Workshop on Transitive Materials in Innsbruck in September 2007.
http://ambient.media.mit.edu/transitive/

Recurring issue during the workshop: transitive materials are UNFAMILIAR, often described through metaphor and analogy, drawing inspiration from unexpected places, inspired by shifting the scale or the context of a material, taken out of context, exhibiting unpredictable characteristics, shifting scale (like knitting but huge, like waffles but huge, like a field of grass but small)…
http://transitivematerials.blogspot.com/