Materia is continuing its collaboration with Architect@Work with an exhibition at the Beijing show. The exhibition includes innovative materials, lectures and on site presence. The theme is Future Building Materials. This follows a successful edition in Shanghai this summer.

Materia creative director Els Zijlstra will take a look at the building materials of the future. We will also be presenting 150 of the most inspiring materials for the future at the show. We keep up with global trends in innovative materials: the materials that designers across the globe use to shape the future of the built world.

Specifically for the Asian market, we have selected an array of new, inspiring and ground-breaking materials, from high-tech recycling and sun protective glass to lightweight composites and luxurious fabrics. The materials are arranged in four groups, each one highly relevant to the building community.

The first is light-weight materials. As buildings grow to new heights, weight is an important factor in material choice. But environmental and production considerations are also important. Less material use means less waste. This often means that the design is cheaper to produce as well as being better for the environment.

Translucency is the second category. Materials which transmit, refract or reflect light, or which let some light through by means of transparent elements in the material, are increasingly popular in the designed and built environment. The added layers of design enhancement that these materials possess add quality to the building, space or object.

Then there are the high-tech materials. From specialised composites to newly created metals and plastics, and even new uses or production methods for existing materials, this broad category of materials ensures that there lots of interest for all designers.

Last but never least, sustainability. China has committed to a huge eco-investment over the next decade. This focus means recyclability, re-use and upcycling are of supreme importance to the world of design. Buildings often use great quantities of a single material, so the integration of recyclable materials is particularly important here.

We are very excited to be working with Architect@work at this China show. The two-day show is on 5^th and 6^th December in Beijing. During the show, you can follow the action through our Facebook and Twitter feeds. More information and free registration is here.