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

Utilizing living plant material—specifically wheatgrass grown within templates—the project explores how plants can be more than just raw materials; they become co-creators. Naturing by @papp_anett_ / More at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialoftheDay #Materials #BiobasedMaterials #NaturalMaterials

Researchers at @epflcampus (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) have developed a safer thermal paper coating made from wood-based materials. The new formulation replaces commonly used bisphenols with lignin and plant-derived sugars, significantly reducing health and environmental risks while maintaining print performance. Thermal paper is widely used in receipts, shipping labels, tickets and medical records. It relies on heat-sensitive coatings to reveal text, but most current solutions still depend on bisphenol A (BPA) or bisphenol S (BPS). These chemicals disrupt hormone systems and spread easily through recycling streams, water and soil. The EPFL research shows that non-edible biomass and industrial by-products can deliver a viable alternative. By using lignin from wood and a sensitiser derived from plant sugars, the researchers demonstrate how everyday paper products can become safer without sacrificing functionality. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #MaterialInnovation #BiobasedMaterials #SustainablePaper #CircularDesign #PackagingDesign #ProductDesign #MaterialResearch #NonToxicMaterials

The Ceramic Vault is an experimental architectural prototype developed at the Built Environment Department of @tueindhoven. Students Jan-Willem Melchers, Thijs Maas Geesteranus and Dena Khaksar created the project under the supervision of Professor Cristina Nan and architect Mattia Zucco. The research explores how 3D clay printing can reinterpret historic construction principles using contemporary digital tools. The project draws inspiration from the ruins of the Maxentius Basilica in Rome’s Forum Romanum. Roman architecture represents a turning point in construction history, where material knowledge, structure and expression came together. In this context, the brick played a central role. Therefore, the project uses the brick as both a historical reference and a starting point for material innovation. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #3DPrintedCeramics #ClayPrinting #DigitalFabrication #ComputationalDesign #CeramicInnovation #ArchitecturalCeramics #RoboticFabrication #SustainableMaterials #MaterialInnovation #FutureArchitecture