ARTEAGA STUDIO
Shaping Tomorrow Stories: Material Matters 2023
During the London Design Festival, Material Matters 2023 witnessed designers delving into the transformative capacities of materials, crafting fresh narratives around plastic and envisioning futures rooted in biomaterials.
Bert Frank lighting studio shifts the narrative of brass, presenting it as an emblem of luxury, UK
From transforming narratives around plastic, brass and leather, to weaving-inspired 3D printing using recycled and biomaterials to reactive materials equipped with the capability to sense and react to their surroundings, visitors witnessed the resourcefulness of material innovators.
Loopy chair by Gareth Neal in collaboration with The New Raw, UK
Unveiling the Evolving Stories of Materials
In the realm of sustainability, designers are actively reshaping the narratives of materials often dismissed or underestimated. One such example is the initiative by the Lowlit Collective from South Korea, which boldly accentuates the potential of plastic. This collective's repurposing studio aims to transform overlooked materials into exquisite works of art. Through their Vecca series, a line of furniture inspired by dolmens fashioned from recycled plastic, the narrative surrounding plastic transcends its transient nature, embracing longevity and endorsing a sustainable promise.
Another great exponent of this trend is Michael Evesque, the managing director of Bert Frank, who challenges perceptions about brass, a material with a rich legacy in decorative and functional craftsmanship. Despite its association with luxury, this London-based lighting manufacturer emphasizes brass's enduring durability and resistance to corrosion, advocating its suitability for crafting enduring, high-quality products.
bioMATTERS, US
Weaving tradition into conscious 3D-printing
Blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary technology, designers are ushering in a 3D printing revolution that also happens to be circular. London-based design and craft studio Gareth Neal introduced its collaboration with The New Raw, a research and design studio based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, specializing in 100% circular plastic waste transformation. Using methods reminiscent of classic knitting and weaving, the design offers a fresh twist on 3D printing.
Biomaterials in 3D printing innovations also emerged as a pivotal theme. bioMATTERS, based in the US and the UK, is pioneering the fusion of 3D printing, robotics and living materials. Its range of biomaterials and inks includes clay and mycelium, as well as microalgae and bacterial dyes.
Echoing this sentiment, Hagen Hinderdael based in Austria, intersects sustainable design with avant-garde technology. Its exhibition featured pieces printed with fermented sugar cane and sawdust – showcasing the flexibility of biomaterials in design.
Sensbiom 2.1. by crafting plastics! and DumoLab Research, UK
Reactive Materials for a Safer Future
At Material Matters 2023, the conversation centered on the potential of reactive materials—living substances that could redefine safety and well-being. Silklab, a US-based materials science laboratory specializing in natural elements, envisions a fusion of advanced technology and global health. Their focus lies in harnessing the unique characteristics of silk proteins to create innovative "living materials." Leveraging silk's adaptable nature, the firm embeds enzymes and molecules within it, transforming silk-based inks into potential game-changers in wearable biosensors. These biosensors hold promise in detecting previously undetectable viruses, toxins, and hormones, heralding a new era in health monitoring.
Another standout at Milan Design Week 2023, the updated Sensbiom 2.1, employs living-like materials for safety measures. This installation introduces indoor surfaces that mimic living organisms, sensing and responding to their surroundings. Comprising a Nuatan bioplastic base and a biomaterial skin, these lattices possess the ability to self-stain upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). This staining serves as a real-time alert system, signaling changes in indoor solar radiation and raising awareness about imperceptible threats that could potentially harm the eyes and skin. This innovative approach showcases how materials can actively contribute to ensuring safety in our daily environments.
Material Matters 2023 design fair investigated, in its own words, ‘how the design industry can address issues around the circular economy and why material intelligence is so important to all our lives’. Sustainability holds the capacity to significantly elevate the worth of frequently undervalued items like recycled plastic; by using this valuable surplus, you can create ethically sourced products, promoting environmental responsibility and thoughtful design while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Blog edited by ChatGPT.
Source: https://www-lsnglobal-com
