At Milano Design Week 2026 (20-26 April), @mushcomposites presents the Bio-Luxe | Bio-Lithic collection, a series of mycelium-based architectural surfaces developed for high-end design applications. Shown at Superstudio Più, the collection reflects a broader shift from experimental biomaterials towards more precise and scalable solutions for architecture and interiors. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #Mycelium #Biomaterials #MaterialInnovation #CircularDesign #SustainableArchitecture #BioBased #DesignMaterials #MilanoDesignWeek #ParametricDesign #Architecture #InteriorDesign

A biocomposite made from tree bark and a mix of organic binders, designed to bring the essence of the forest into everyday objects. GIRIA Tree bark biocomposite by @evelina.kudabaite / More at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialoftheDay #Materials #BiobasedMaterials #InteriorDesign #ProductDesign

Sheep’s wool, one of the oldest textile materials, is being reimagined for high-performance filtration. In collaboration with @NASA, New Zealand-based company @lanacocleanair has developed a wool-based filter system for use in spacecraft. This innovation shows how natural fibres can compete with, and even outperform, synthetic materials in extreme conditions. The development responds to a critical safety challenge. After a fire in a spacecraft, harmful gases and fine particles remain in the air. Astronauts on the Orion spacecraft cannot move to another module, so they must rely on effective filtration. NASA contractor Amentum worked with Lanaco to improve the filters used in emergency firefighting masks. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #Wool #AirFiltration #BiobasedMaterials #MaterialInnovation #SustainableDesign #CircularMaterials #NASATech #ProductDesign #IndustrialDesign #FutureMaterials

In April 2026, @isseymiyakeofficial’s Milan store presents The Paper Log: Shell and Core, an experimental exhibition that turns industrial paper waste into design objects. Satoshi Kondo of MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO developed the project in collaboration with Spanish architecture practice Ensamble Studio. Together, they explore circular material reuse across fashion, product design, and spatial installation. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #MaterialInnovation #CircularDesign #PaperWaste #SustainableMaterials #DesignResearch #ProductDesign #MaterialExperimentation #RecycledMaterials

Collaborating with agriculture and food industry, discarded materials like eggshells, straw ash, and broken ceramics gain new value, reducing the need for newly mined resources. Unwasted by @annamaria.sandjensen / More at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialoftheDay #Materials #Ceramics #BiobasedMaterials #RecycledMaterials #MadeFromWaste #InteriorDesign #ProductDesign

Microorganisms may play an unexpected yet crucial role in the future of sustainable material sourcing—both in space and on Earth. A recent experiment conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) demonstrates how bacteria and fungi can extract valuable metals from meteorites in microgravity, offering insights into resource systems relevant to design and material innovation. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #Biomining #MaterialInnovation #Biobased #SpaceResearch #FutureMaterials #ResourceRecovery #Microbiology #DesignInnovation

A prototype shoe made entirely from pure mycelium will debut at Milan Design Week, marking a major step in bio-based material innovation. The project brings together @vubrussel researcher and designer Lars Dittrich and master shoemaker Marie De Ryck from @lamonnaie.demunt . It shows how living materials can move beyond experimentation and into functional design. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #Mycelium #BioMaterials #SustainableDesign #CircularDesign #MaterialInnovation #MilanDesignWeek #Biobased #FutureMaterials #DesignInnovation #EcoDesign

The textile’s woven structure, wide colour palette, and soft texture contribute to its visual and sensory qualities. Ondo by @casalis.be / More at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialoftheDay #Materials #Acoustics #InteriorDesign #SenseandSensibility