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 Therefore, the project uses the brick as both a historical reference and a starting point for material innovation.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

Meet our Exhibitor: Dekiln Join @deekiln at MaterialDistrict Utrecht 2026 and discover Eralith — a next-generation, biobased tile redefining the future of ceramics. 💡 Eralith – The Future of Tiles, Without the Kiln Inspired by natural materials like seashells and tooth enamel, Eralith offers the look and feel of traditional ceramic tiles, with a radically lower environmental impact. Perfect for low-impact commercial projects and design-led interiors, Eralith proves that sustainability and aesthetics can go hand in hand. 🌱 Why visit? ✨ Discover kiln-free tile innovation ✨ Explore biobased materials with high design freedom ✨ Get inspired by next-generation, low-carbon surfaces 📅 When? 4 – 6 March 2026 📍 Where? Stand A20, Werkspoorkathedraal, Utrecht 🎟️ Get your tickets via link in bio #MaterialDistrictUtrecht #MDU2026 #Dekiln #Eralith #MaterialDistrict

Bracesys is a modular orthopaedic brace system developed by @osteoidmedical. It offers an alternative to traditional static braces and plaster casts. The system uses a patented structure that clinicians can adjust directly to a patient’s body. This allows for on-site customisation without the need for casting. The adjustable design helps improve fit accuracy and reduces fitting time. It also supports better hygiene, as it avoids single-use casting materials. Because the brace can be adapted during treatment, it can respond to physical changes over time. This flexibility can reduce the need for repeated replacements. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #ModularDesign #ProductDesign #MedicalDesign #3DPrinting #DigitalFabrication #AdaptiveDesign #MaterialInnovation #WearableDesign

Spanish artist @cynthianudel has developed Biopainting, a material-based technique that replaces conventional paint with textile waste and natural pigments. Her work explores how discarded materials can become expressive artworks. At the same time, it questions the environmental impact of the textile and pigment industries. Instead of using acrylics or oils, Nudel works with leftover textiles. She dyes these fabrics using colour extracted from organic waste streams. Onion skins, pomegranate peels and eucalyptus bark form the basis of her palette. She then cuts the dyed textiles into small pieces and fixes them onto canvas with a natural adhesive. This process creates layered, tactile surfaces that function as both image and material statement. Read more at https://materialdistrict.com/article/biopainting-turning-textile-waste-into-a-natural-colour-palette/ #MaterialInspiration #Materials #BiobasedMaterials #TextileWaste #NaturalDyes #CircularDesign #MaterialInnovation #SustainableTextiles #DesignResearch #SlowDesign #ColourInnovation #FutureMaterials

Cigarette butts are one of the most common forms of litter worldwide. Every year, billions of filters end up in streets, rivers and soil. Most filters consist of cellulose acetate, a plastic that degrades very slowly and releases toxic substances into the environment. Researchers have now shown that this problematic waste can become a valuable carbon resource. A new study demonstrates how discarded cigarette butts can be transformed into a high-performance biochar suitable for advanced energy storage applications. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #EnergyTransition #CircularMaterials #RecycledMaterials #WasteToResource #Biochar #EnergyStorage #MaterialInnovation #SustainableDesign #CircularDesign

Katajanokan Laituri is an office and hotel building by @anttinen_oiva_architects, located on the former industrial waterfront of the Katajanokka peninsula in Helsinki. The project combines engineered timber with glass, aluminium, and granite, materials that respond to both the maritime climate and the character of the surrounding city. As the first new development on this section of the embankment, the building plays a role in the area’s transition towards a more publicly accessible waterfront. The volume follows the continuous, neo-classical outline of Helsinki’s southern shoreline. Variations in the façade reduce the perceived scale and relate to the diverse architecture of Katajanokka. A double façade system places exposed timber behind an outer layer of glass, aluminium, and granite. This construction protects the wood from coastal weather while maintaining visual continuity with the cityscape. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #MassTimber #TimberArchitecture #EngineeredWood #CLT #LVL #SustainableArchitecture #BiobasedMaterials #WaterfrontArchitecture #CircularDesign

Material of the day: Coffee Waste Tiles ☕♻️ Developed by @wastematters_studio, these limited-edition tiles are made from locally collected coffee grounds bound with natural bio-resins. Handcrafted and rich in texture, each tile reflects the warm tones and natural irregularities of roasted coffee—celebrating both material origin and craft. Based on re-meltable thermoplastic biocomposites, Coffee Waste Tiles support a fully circular life cycle. They can be cast, layered, or hand-formed, making them suitable for wall panels, decorative surfaces, and tableware. A tactile example of how local waste streams can be transformed into meaningful, sustainable design. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com You can experience Coffee Waste Tiles up close in our sample exhibition at MaterialDistrict Utrecht 📍 Werkspoorkathedraal, Utrecht 📅 4–6 March 🎟️ Get your ticket now via link in bio #MaterialoftheDay #Material #CoffeeWasteTiles #WasteMattersStudio #BiobasedMaterials #CircularDesign #SustainableSurfaces #MaterialDistrict #MDUtrecht

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (@MIT) have developed MorphoChrome, a new fabrication system that allows designers to apply iridescent, colour-changing effects to everyday objects. Instead of using pigments or dyes, the system relies on structural colour, a phenomenon widely found in nature. The project introduces a new way to create expressive surfaces while reducing dependence on traditional colouring methods. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #StructuralColour #MaterialInnovation #SustainableDesign #ProductDesign #FashionDesign #InteriorDesign #DigitalFabrication #MITResearch