‘Flight Into Shadow’ is a research-based installation that studies how light and shadow influence thermal comfort and spatial perception in heat-stressed urban environments. @th_deggendorf developed the project together with @hft_stuttgart and @unistuttgart (IBK2). The installation was presented during the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 as part of the Keep Cool! – Workshop for Cool Cities programme. The project creates a controlled indoor environment in which solar conditions are simulated. As a result, the researchers can study light intensity, shading and material behaviour without depending on outdoor weather. This setup allows for a clear analysis of how spatial design can influence comfort in warm conditions. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #ClimateAdaptiveDesign #LightingDesign #Mycelium #BiobasedMaterials #SustainableArchitecture #MaterialInnovation #CircularDesign

Material of the day: Bulrush Leather 🌾✨ Developed by @manusaurs, this biobased and biodegradable leather-like material is made from bulrush fibres and seeds, bonded with plant-based cellulose. Each sheet features a warm, organic texture and a unique fibre pattern, combining flexibility with subtle translucency. Created as part of Reductio ad lermaense, a critical design project addressing the ecological crisis of Mexico’s Lerma wetlands, Bulrush Leather shows how environmental challenges can drive material innovation. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com 👉 Discover this material and many more at MaterialDistrict Utrecht 📍 Werkspoorkathedraal, Utrecht 📅 4–6 March 🎟️ Get your ticket now via link in bio #MaterialoftheDay #Material #BulrushLeather #BiobasedMaterials #Biodegradable #VeganLeather #MaterialInnovation #MaterialDistrict #MDUtrecht

Reused wind turbine blades can function as fully fledged noise barriers along motorways. That is the key conclusion from the first test results of the Blade Barrier, a circular infrastructure solution developed and tested in the Netherlands. Six months after installation, measurements show that the barrier reduces traffic noise at levels comparable to conventional concrete sound walls. The pilot installation stands along the A58 motorway near Oirschot and measures 60 metres in length. @Rijkswaterstaat monitors the project until the end of 2026 as part of InnovA58, its innovation programme for sustainable infrastructure. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #MaterialInnovation #CircularDesign #WindTurbineReuse #SustainableInfrastructure #BiobasedMaterials #CircularConstruction #LandscapeArchitecture #InfrastructureDesign

In Rosmalen, the Netherlands, construction company @heijmansnl and materials innovator Paebbl have completed what they describe as the world’s first pedestrian bridge made with CO₂-neutral structural concrete. With this project, the partners show that concrete infrastructure no longer has to contribute to climate change. The pedestrian bridge, which opened in January 2026, spans seven metres. More importantly, it proves that carbon-storing materials can be used in fully structural applications. Until now, designers mainly associated such materials with experimental or non-load-bearing uses. This project challenges that assumption. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #CarbonNeutralConcrete #CircularConstruction #LowCarbonMaterials #SustainableInfrastructure #MaterialInnovation #CO2Storage

Join our exhibitor CEWOOD at MaterialDistrict Utrecht 2026 and discover CEWOOD Panels — where natural texture meets acoustic performance. Made from 100% natural raw materials — wood wool, water, and a natural binder — CEWOOD Panels bring warmth, rhythm, and tactility into contemporary interiors. Each panel has its own visual character while contributing to a comfortable acoustic environment. With a wide range of colours, shapes, wood wool widths, and surface patterns, including refined milled line designs, CEWOOD Panels give architects and designers the freedom to create expressive walls and ceilings where sustainability and design go hand in hand. 🌱 Why visit? ✨ Explore sustainable acoustic panel solutions ✨ Discover rich textures and design flexibility ✨ Get inspired by natural materials for walls and ceilings 📅 When? 4 – 6 March 2026 📍 Where? Stand B04, Werkspoorkathedraal, Utrecht 🎟️ Get your tickets via link in bio #MaterialDistrictUtrecht #MDU2026 #MaterialDistrict #CEWOOD #SustainableMaterials

This series explores new stone glazing methods while working among the unique material features of volcanic scoria. Scoria by Marc Roman Page / More at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialoftheDay #Materials #Glazing #Tiles #InteriorDesign

3D printing has already reshaped construction on land, from experimental housing to large-scale infrastructure. Researchers at Cornell University are now taking the technology underwater. Their goal is to 3D-print concrete directly on the seafloor, opening up new possibilities for maritime construction and repair. This approach could change how architects and engineers design ports, coastal defences and offshore infrastructure. Instead of transporting heavy prefabricated elements or using disruptive building methods, robotic systems could construct structures directly in place. This would significantly reduce disturbance to marine environments. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #Underwater3DPrinting #3DPrintedConcrete #SustainableConstruction #MaterialInnovation #CircularConstruction #MaritimeDesign #DigitalFabrication

Italian technology company @3dwasp has completed the structural printing of Itaca, the first certified self-sufficient building created through 3D printing. The project is located in the Shamballa open-air laboratory in Northern Italy and serves as a full-scale prototype for circular, low-impact construction. WASP founder Massimo Moretti introduced Itaca as a replicable model for sustainable living. The project explores how digital fabrication, local resources and biobased materials can come together in a new construction system. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #3DPrinting #SustainableArchitecture #CircularDesign #BiobasedMaterials #AdditiveManufacturing #LowCarbonConstruction #MaterialInnovation #RegenerativeDesign