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MaterialDistrict

MaterialDistrict, the world’s leading match-making platform in the field of innovative materials.

MaterialDistrict is the world’s leading match-making platform in the field of innovative materials. MaterialDistrict’s value as a high-end materials inspiration source is clear: R&D- and design professionals of all industries are using our platform to discover new material solutions. Daily via MaterialDistrict.com, annually at MaterialDistrict Rotterdam and periodically throughout the year with traveling MaterialDistrict Expo’s, MaterialDistrict Talks and MaterialDistrict Pop-Up events.

02/01/2026

To close the year, we are highlighting the most read articles published on MaterialDistrict this year.

#1 Superwood – engineered timber stronger than steel

At number 1: the article on Superwood, exploring an engineered timber developed by InventWood that outperforms steel in strength-to-weight ratio while retaining the natural look and feel of wood.

By modifying timber at the cellular level, Superwood becomes significantly stronger and tougher than conventional wood, while remaining lightweight and biogenic. Designed for durability, the material is fire-resistant and resistant to moisture, fungi and insects, making it suitable for demanding architectural applications such as façades, cladding and structural components.

Combining advanced material science, sustainability and architectural relevance, the article clearly resonated with our readers and secured the top position this year.

👉 Read the full article on MaterialDistrict: https://materialdistrict.com/article/superwood-sustainable-engineered-timber-stronger-than-steel-for-architecture-and-design/

02/01/2026

From 22 December to 2 January, we shared the Top 10 most viewed materials on MaterialDistrict — highlighting the material innovations that resonated most with our global design community.

#1 Moss concrete – concrete designed to grow

At number 1: Moss concrete, developed by Respyre, a bioreceptive material that actively supports urban greening, biodiversity and healthier cities.

Made with recycled concrete aggregates and residual streams, this specially engineered concrete features porosity, water retention and a microporous texture that create ideal conditions for moss to grow directly on its surface. Added nutrients and carefully balanced acidity levels allow moss to establish itself naturally, without damaging the substrate.

Unlike conventional green facades, moss concrete requires no complex anchoring systems or intensive maintenance. Moss thrives using rhizoids rather than roots, meaning it attaches without penetrating or weakening the concrete. In return, it helps retain moisture, absorb fine particulates, cool buildings through evapotranspiration and provide habitat for small insects.

Suitable for both new construction and retrofitting existing buildings, moss concrete offers a scalable, cost-effective and low-maintenance approach to urban greening, transforming hard surfaces into living infrastructure.

A compelling example of how material innovation can reconnect architecture with nature — and a clear favourite among our audience.

👉 Discover Moss concrete on MaterialDistrict: https://materialdistrict.com/material/moss-concrete/

02/01/2026

Tree bark makes up roughly 10% of the material processed in sawmills, yet most of it ends up as waste. Many manufacturers burn it for energy, even though bark has strong natural qualities that could support long-lasting design. For her bachelor at ECAL/Ecole cantonale d'art de Lausanne, industrial design graduate Denise Merlette explored this potential in Barko, a research project that gives bark a new role as a protective finish for wooden furniture.

Read more at https://materialdistrict.com/article/turning-bark-waste-into-a-protective-furniture-finish/

01/01/2026

To close the year, we are highlighting the most read articles published on MaterialDistrict this year.

#2 Tiffany façade Stuttgart – craftsmanship meets material innovation

At number 2: the article on the Tiffany façade in Stuttgart, designed by MVRDV, showcasing how craftsmanship, material experimentation and brand identity come together in architecture.

The façade is composed of 2,829 hand-cast ceramic diamonds, produced by Koninklijke Tichelaar using traditional slip-casting techniques. Finished with an iridescent glaze inspired by Tiffany’s historic Favrile glass, the ceramic elements shift subtly with light and viewing angle, creating a dynamic and immersive exterior.

Beyond its expressive appearance, the façade balances aesthetics with function. The varying density of the ceramic diamonds controls transparency, offering glimpses into the store while maintaining privacy. The project demonstrates how material innovation and architectural detail can elevate a commercial façade into a highly crafted spatial experience.

👉 Read the full article on MaterialDistrict: https://materialdistrict.com/article/tiffany-facade-stuttgart-a-showcase-of-craftsmanship-and-material-innovation/

01/01/2026

From 22 December to 2 January, we are sharing the Top 10 most viewed materials on MaterialDistrict — a selection of material innovations that captured the attention of our global design community.

#2 SoundBounce – acoustic design made from recycled tennis balls

At number 2: SoundBounce, an acoustic material that transforms discarded tennis balls into functional and expressive interior solutions.

Each square metre of SoundBounce by MWO Design repurposes around 283 recycled tennis balls, addressing a global waste stream in which millions of balls are discarded each year and rarely recycled. The balls are assembled without glue into a fully modular and circular system, allowing for easy reconfiguration and responsible end-of-life management.

Beyond its environmental impact, SoundBounce offers strong acoustic performance across a broad frequency range, helping to reduce reverberation and improve speech clarity in offices, libraries, classrooms and public interiors. With extensive colour customisation, each ball acts as a pixel, enabling architects and designers to create distinctive visual patterns on both flat and curved surfaces.

A clear example of how circular thinking, acoustic performance and playful design can come together in one material system.

👉 Discover SoundBounce on MaterialDistrict: https://materialdistrict.com/material/soundbounce/

31/12/2025

To close the year, we are highlighting the most read articles published on MaterialDistrict this year.

#3 Exploring the strength of LEGO bricks – a lesson in material durability

At number 3: the article exploring the strength of LEGO bricks, using a striking experiment to illustrate the durability of everyday materials.

In a test by the Hydraulic Press Channel, a slab made from 10,000 LEGO bricks was subjected to a 300-ton hydraulic press. The experiment revealed the remarkable strength of ABS plastic, the thermoplastic polymer used in LEGO bricks, known for its rigidity, toughness and impact resistance.

Beyond its visual impact, the article connects a familiar object to broader questions in material science and design, highlighting the role of durability, modularity and engineering — while also acknowledging the sustainability challenges of petroleum-based plastics.

A clear example of how curiosity-driven experiments can make material performance tangible and accessible.

👉 Read the full article on MaterialDistrict: https://materialdistrict.com/article/exploring-the-strength-of-lego-bricks-a-lesson-in-material-durability/

31/12/2025

From 22 December to 2 January, we are sharing the Top 10 most viewed materials on MaterialDistrict — a selection of material innovations that captured the attention of our global design community.

#3 Pirarucu fish leather – a luxury material with a regenerative story

At number 3: Pirarucu fish leather, by Global Green, transforms food industry waste into a distinctive biobased material with strong social and environmental impact.

Derived from the skin of the pirarucu — a freshwater fish native to the Brazilian Amazon — the leather is produced using metal-free tanning processes and sourced exclusively from regulated, sustainably managed fisheries. What was once an endangered species is now part of a carefully controlled system that supports biodiversity while providing income for indigenous and riverside communities.

By creating economic value from responsibly sourced by-products, pirarucu leather helps reduce pressure on deforestation and illegal mining, while offering a durable, biodegradable alternative to conventional leather. Its large scale, natural texture and refined finish make it suitable for fashion, interiors and product design.

A powerful example of how material innovation can align ecology, craftsmanship and social responsibility.

👉 Discover Pirarucu fish leather on MaterialDistrict: https://materialdistrict.com/material/pirarucu-arapaima-gigas-fish-leather/

31/12/2025

GO-OFF, a Dutch developer of bike, speed-pedelec and ski helmets, has teamed up with BikeFlip, a company known for its circular children’s bicycles and subscription services. Through this partnership, BikeFlip now offers the fully recyclable GO-OFF FIRST children’s helmet in its shops and online. The two companies also introduce what they describe as the world’s first recycling system for bicycle helmets. Their aim is to create a more circular lifecycle for helmets, from use to reuse.

Read more at https://materialdistrict.com/article/go-off-and-bikeflip-launch-first-helmet-recycling-programme/

30/12/2025

To close the year, we are highlighting the most read articles published on MaterialDistrict this year.

#4 CORA – a timber structure for robotic craftsmanship

At number 4: the article on CORA, a timber workshop developed by IAAC - Advanced Architecture Barcelona, that brings together robotic fabrication, circular construction and advanced timber engineering.

Located at the Valldaura Labs Campus near Barcelona, CORA is a self-supporting timber structure designed to house a six-axis industrial milling robot. The project retrofits an existing brick stable with a prefabricated wooden framework, reducing demolition waste while demonstrating the architectural potential of cross-laminated timber and CNC-milled joinery.

Featuring a tree-like structural system and a green roof that supports biodiversity, CORA exemplifies how digital design, biobased materials and ecological thinking can converge in contemporary architecture. The project also functions as a research and learning environment, supporting experimentation in sustainable construction and robotic craftsmanship.

A compelling case study at the intersection of process, material innovation and timber architecture.

👉 Read the full article on MaterialDistrict: https://materialdistrict.com/article/cora-a-timber-structure-for-robotic-craftsmanship/

30/12/2025

From 22 December to 2 January, we are sharing the Top 10 most viewed materials on MaterialDistrict — a selection of material innovations that captured the attention of our global design community.

#4 Eggshell-based ceramics and bioplastics – turning food waste into materials

At number 4: Eggshell-based ceramics and bioplastics, developed by EGGXPERT, explore how a widely available food waste stream can replace resource-intensive raw materials.

Composed largely of calcium carbonate, eggshells can be processed into a functional ingredient for both ceramic applications and bioplastics. In ceramics, eggshell powder acts as a natural flux, lowering firing temperatures and reducing energy use. In bioplastics, it functions as a biobased filler that improves strength, rigidity and biodegradability.

By repurposing eggshell waste, the project demonstrates how agricultural by-products can support circular material systems, reduce CO₂ emissions and limit dependence on mined or fossil-based resources. Developed in collaboration with Addit Studio, the material also shows potential for scalable applications across construction, packaging and product design.

A clear example of how regional waste streams can drive sustainable material innovation.

👉 Discover Eggshell-based ceramics and bioplastics on MaterialDistrict: https://materialdistrict.com/material/eggshell-based-ceramics-and-bioplastics/

30/12/2025

Japanese designer So Koizumi presents As, a new collection that explores how asphalt can function in furniture and lighting design. The project looks back at the material’s early use in Japan’s Jomon period, when asphalt served as an adhesive. It then applies this idea to a contemporary design context, where asphalt acts as a connector between different materials.

Read more at https://materialdistrict.com/article/reimagining-asphalt-in-design-so-koizumis-as-collection/

29/12/2025

To close the year, we are highlighting the most read articles published on MaterialDistrict this year.

#5 Modular sustainable house in Japan – energy-positive living

At number 5: the article on a modular sustainable house in Hokkaido, Japan, designed by Florian Busch Architects, demonstrating how architecture can generate more energy than it consumes.

The project combines locally sourced timber, modular construction and passive design strategies to reduce environmental impact. The untreated wooden exterior is designed to weather naturally, while prefabricated components minimise construction waste and support circular design principles.

Solar panels integrated into the roof allow the house to produce surplus renewable energy, while careful orientation, high insulation levels and a climate-responsive roof design ensure strong performance in Hokkaido’s cold winters. Elevated foundations and large windows strengthen the connection with the surrounding landscape.

A clear example of how material choices, energy systems and modular design can come together to support energy self-sufficiency and healthier living environments.

👉 Read the full article on MaterialDistrict: https://materialdistrict.com/article/modular-sustainable-house-in-japan-generates-more-energy-than-it-consumes/

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Woensdag	09:00 - 17:00
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Vrijdag	09:00 - 17:00

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