Lagmansgården is located on Finland’s west coast, within an existing pine forest landscape. The residential institution provides accommodation and education for young people who require intensive foster care and special needs support. The project combines therapeutic spatial planning with a construction strategy centred on timber and low-carbon material choices. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) contributed to the development of the project as part of research into new models for residential care environments. In this context, the building explores how layout, landscape integration and material selection can influence daily use and long-term performance. @anttinen_oiva_architects designed the complex to bring together residential, educational and administrative functions within a single site. The programme includes 20 accommodation rooms arranged across four units, as well as classrooms, recreational areas, staff facilities and a communal kitchen with dining hall. The buildings are positioned around a central courtyard that opens towards a nearby lake. This arrangement maintains views of the surrounding forest and supports access to outdoor areas. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #TimberArchitecture #LowCarbonDesign #CLT #BiobasedMaterials #SustainableArchitecture #CareFacilityDesign #WoodConstruction #RenewableEnergy

Material of the day: Birch Forest 🌳✨ Developed by @studiotulipuro, this surface is based on natural birch bark from Finland. Each sheet preserves the unique patterns and textures of the bark, gently brushed and sealed with a natural oil and wax mixture to maintain its authentic appearance. Used similarly to veneer, Birch Forest is combined with birch plywood and solid birch wood in Tulipuro’s collection. The material celebrates the individuality of natural surfaces, bringing warmth, tactility and a direct connection to Nordic forests into interior applications. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com 👉 Discover this material and many more at MaterialDistrict Utrecht 📍 Werkspoorkathedraal, Utrecht 📅 4–6 March 2026 🎟️ Get your ticket now via link in bio #MaterialoftheDay #Material #BirchForest #Tulipuro #WoodDesign #BiobasedMaterials #SenseAndSensibility #MaterialDistrict #MDUtrecht

Researchers at @unioulu in Finland have developed high-performance bio-based epoxy and polyester resins that can replace fossil-based resins in composite materials. The new materials deliver strong mechanical performance, competitive pricing and industrial scalability. Composites play an essential role in construction, renewable energy, transport and marine design. This innovation offers architects, product designers and automotive designers a more sustainable alternative without compromising technical requirements. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #BioBasedMaterials #CircularDesign #SustainableMaterials #CompositeMaterials #BioResins #MaterialInnovation #GreenChemistry #CircularEconomy #SustainableArchitecture #ProductDesign

.@circulus.design, an atelier founded under Yuko Oka Architectural Design in Tokyo, has developed KNIT, a fabric-like exterior wall finish created with a robotic-arm large-scale 3D printer. The team prints the system from a synthetic resin blended with recycled eggshells sourced from food manufacturing waste. By introducing this secondary mineral stream into an architectural product, the studio reduces the share of virgin raw materials. At the same time, the project supports a broader ambition: shifting architecture from demolition and disposal towards reuse and material recovery. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #3DPrinting #CircularArchitecture #RecycledMaterials #EggshellComposite #FacadeDesign #AdditiveManufacturing #SustainableDesign #MaterialInnovation

Material of the day: Mush Art Tiles 🍄✨ Developed by @mushcomposites, these decorative wall tiles are made from mycelium-based composites. The root-like network of fungi grows into lightweight yet structurally coherent forms, with organic textures and subtle variations that make each tile unique. Produced with minimal energy and a low-carbon footprint, the tiles are designed with end-of-life in mind and can safely return to natural cycles. Available in various textures and patterns, Mush Art Tiles support biophilic design principles while offering expressive, modular wall solutions for residential and commercial interiors. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com 👉 Discover this material and many more at MaterialDistrict Utrecht 📍 Werkspoorkathedraal, Utrecht 📅 4–6 March 2026 🎟️ Get your ticket now via link in bio #MaterialoftheDay #Material #MushArtTiles #Mycelium #BiobasedMaterials #BiophilicDesign #SustainableInteriors #MaterialDistrict #MDUtrecht

Researchers at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) have developed a new type of plastic that challenges long-standing materials theory. The material, called compleximer, combines two properties that rarely coexist. Designers can reshape it like glass when heated, yet it resists impact like conventional plastic when cooled. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #Compleximer #RepairablePlastic #MaterialInnovation #SustainableMaterials #CircularDesign #PolymerScience #BiobasedMaterials #DesignMaterials

A poker set made from discarded marine plastic, said to be the world’s first, shows how ocean waste can become a high-quality design product. Developed by Greek micro-recycling studio @recycledin.store, the set offers clear relevance for product designers, interior designers and hospitality brands looking for circular, story-driven accessories. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #RecycledPlastic #MarinePlastic #CircularDesign #SustainableDesign #ProductDesign #HospitalityDesign #OceanWaste #Upcycling #DesignInnovation #CircularEconomy

Material of the day: GreenEdge 🌾🌿 Developed by @annelaendle, GreenEdge is a biobased sheet material made from approximately 40% roadside hay and 60% waste wood from CNC milling processes. The fibres are bound with casein, a natural milk protein adhesive, creating a toxin-free and biodegradable alternative to conventional MDF. By repurposing underutilised roadside biomass and wood waste, GreenEdge addresses furniture industry waste while supporting biodiversity management. The material can be milled, pigmented and enriched with embedded flowers, resulting in a terrazzo-like aesthetic with mechanical performance suitable for furniture and interior applications. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com 👉 Discover this material and many more at MaterialDistrict Utrecht 📍 Werkspoorkathedraal, Utrecht 📅 4–6 March 2026 🎟️ Get your ticket now via link in bio #MaterialoftheDay #Material #GreenEdge #BiobasedMaterials #CircularDesign #SustainableInteriors #MaterialDistrict #MDUtrecht