Emerging from his fascination with the colour black, architect Paul Cournet’s The Black Book offers a detailed exploration of 100 black material samples. In this article, he shares 10 of his top selections.

The book presents a diverse range of materials, including charcoal, lava stone, carbon fibre, coal, vegan leather, charred wood, recycled plastics, and even ‘the blackest black.’ These samples were collected by Cournet over several years.

“For many years I have been captivated by the colour black—not only in architecture, but also in art, fashion, design, and science,” Cournet explains.

“The Black Book is more like a catalogue”

Throughout the course of developing his Rotterdam-based practice, Cloud, Cournet continually sought out new material samples from manufacturers, always requesting to see if each was available in black.

“While travelling to places like Japan, Argentina, Indonesia, and Morocco, I became intrigued by the cultural meanings and stories behind the colour black,” he adds.

“Ultimately, The Black Book is more of a catalogue or an atlas of materials,” he continues.

“It brings together 100 black samples I have carefully chosen over the years, along with references and diagrams that reflect my research.”

“An in-depth investigation into the colour black”

Each material is thoroughly examined, photographed, and categorized by hue, composition, and origin. Cournet uses maps, infographics, and visual references to delve into the nuances of black as a colour.

“The Black Book is not just a book about a single colour,” Cournet notes.

“It is a comprehensive study of black—examining its visual impact, material variety, and cultural meaning. In many ways, black represents the point where art and science converge; it is, arguably, the ultimate colour.”

Here, Cournet presents 10 of his favourite materials from the book and offers insights into what makes each one remarkable:

#30. Graphite pigment

Produced using traditional windmills in the Netherlands—the last in the world to create paint through this historic method—graphite pigment is a premium, finely ground black pigment derived from pure graphite, a carbon mineral.

This time-honoured process is still employed today to convert minerals into pigments for paints and watercolours.

#31. Compressed coal

Extracted from the coal mines of South Wales, compressed coal is designed to reframe coal’s image—from a polluting energy source to a valuable material. The coal is processed similarly to natural stone and finished to resemble black marble, then shaped into solid blocks for architectural use.

Although still in the experimental phase, compressed coal shows promise as an original and functional material for construction.