In March 2025, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar and caused major damage in Mandalay. Yet only 15 kilometres from the epicentre, a group of 26 bamboo houses for displaced families stayed completely intact. @bluetempledesigns, an architecture studio based in Yangon, designed these modular homes for the @housingnow.designs initiative. Their work shows how biobased materials can offer safety, speed and dignity, even in extreme situations. Each home costs about the same as a smartphone. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #Bamboo #BambooArchitecture #BiobasedMaterials #SustainableDesign #ModularHousing #EarthquakeResistant #CircularDesign #MaterialInnovation #HumanitarianArchitecture #LowCarbonMaterials #HousingSolutions

A ready-to-use ecological paint that gives walls a concrete look. Betonlook paint by @Betonlook.nl / More at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialoftheDay #Materials #Paint #InteriorDesign #HealingEnvironment #Coatings

Flax fibres are gaining interest in composite design because they are bio-based, lightweight, and have a lower environmental impact than many synthetic alternatives. Yet challenges such as cost, moisture sensitivity, and high resin uptake have slowed their wider use. The Belgian company BIOFIBIX developed Hypermat to address these limitations and to make flax reinforcements easier to integrate into existing composite processes. Hypermat targets sectors where designers look for lighter, more sustainable materials, including mobility, sports and leisure, marine, and product design. In these fields, natural fibres can offer an alternative to carbon and glass composites when full structural performance is not required. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #Flax #FlaxComposites #BiobasedMaterials #SustainableMaterials #MaterialInnovation #CompositeDesign #NaturalFibres #LightweightDesign #CircularDesign #EcoDesign #MaterialScience

The KÖNIGSWINTER Light Sculpture by @heiligobjects is a unique wall-mounted artwork made from a historic amber-gold corrugated fibreglass sheet. German factories produced these panels in the 1960s for industrial use. Over the years, sun, wind and snow shaped the surface, giving it a rich patina. Today, the material finds a new purpose as a sculptural light piece with a warm, glowing presence. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #MaterialInnovation #SustainableDesign #CircularDesign #ReclaimedMaterials #LightSculpture #InteriorDesign #DesignInspiration #UpcycledMaterials #LightingDesign #FibreglassDesign #ArtAndDesign #ContemporaryInteriors #DesignCraftsmanship

The material is thermally preserved, certified Scandinavian softwood (pine and spruce) with a number of special advantages. Finti by Finti / More at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialoftheDay #Materials #Wood #Timber #Architecture

Researchers have created a biobased, food-safe coating made from edible fungal mycelium. This new material offers designers a natural alternative to plastic-based waterproof layers used in packaging, textiles and lightweight products. The study, published in Langmuir, shows how the “turkey tail” fungus (Trametes versicolor) can grow directly on surfaces such as paper, denim, polyester felt and thin wood veneer. The resulting layer repels water, oils and grease. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #BiobasedMaterials #Mycelium #MaterialInnovation #SustainableDesign #PlasticFree #CircularMaterials #FungalMaterials #EcoDesign #Biofabrication #GreenPackaging

In the busy 11th arrondissement of Paris, @holzrausch_official has redesigned a hidden family townhouse located behind a long courtyard garden. The project introduces a calm interior atmosphere within a dense urban setting. The studio focuses on natural materials, craftsmanship and long-lasting details. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #MaterialInnovation #InteriorArchitecture #SustainableDesign #WoodDesign #Holzrausch #ParisArchitecture #Craftsmanship #ResidentialDesign #NaturalMaterials #MinimalDesign

An alternative to animal or synthetic leather is plant-based, made of persimmon waste. PersiSkin persimmon leather by @PersiSkin / More at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialoftheDay #Materials #LeatherAlternative #FashionDesign #ProductDesign #InteriorDesign