Spanish designer @@jorgepenades has presented Uprooted V02, a research-driven furniture project that explores new uses for olive tree roots. The project debuted at Matter and Shape, a design salon held in Paris from 6 to 9 March 2026 during Paris Fashion Week. The work focuses on a little-used byproduct of the olive oil industry in Spain. Farmers often remove olive trees during agricultural cycles. While the trunk and branches may find new uses, the roots usually end up as firewood or waste. Penadés investigates how designers can transform these discarded roots into valuable materials. His project highlights the hidden qualities of olive roots and challenges how the industry values this resource. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #Wood #OliveRootFurniture #MaterialInnovation #SustainableDesign #CircularDesign #FurnitureDesign #OliveWood #DesignResearch #ProductDesign #MaterialDesign #AgriculturalWaste #EcoDesign #MediterraneanMaterials

The material is made from 100% recycled mixed textiles, sourced from working clothes gathered locally, which are combined with organic glue. Knoftex by @knof_community / More at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialoftheDay #Materials #AcousticMaterials #InteriorDesign #RecycledMaterials

Steel studs form the structural framework of most gypsum partition walls. However, new material developments show that biobased alternatives can replace these metal components. SORIWA, a German manufacturer of drywall solutions, has developed a profile system made from recycled cellulose fibres as an alternative to conventional steel studs. The SORIWA Multi Profile system uses multi-layer fibre profiles produced from recycled paper fibres. This material requires less energy to manufacture than steel and stores carbon during its lifecycle. As a result, the cellulose profiles can reduce the embodied carbon of interior partition systems. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #Cellulose #Drywall #BiobasedMaterials #CircularConstruction #SustainableBuilding #MaterialInnovation #InteriorDesign #Architecture #RecycledMaterials #LowCarbonMaterials

Munich-based footwear brand @nat2footwear has collaborated with designer @talialuvaton to develop a series of handmade sneakers featuring an experimental material technique known as Rusted Leather. The project explores new aesthetic and material possibilities within vegetable-tanned leather through natural oxidation and botanical imprinting. Designed by nat-2 founder Sebastian Thies, the sneakers are produced on request in Italy using responsible manufacturing processes. The collaboration highlights how material experimentation can create distinctive surface qualities while maintaining craftsmanship and local production values. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #Leather #RustedLeather #MaterialInnovation #SustainableFashion #LeatherInnovation #NaturalDyeing #MaterialDesign #FootwearDesign #BioInspiredDesign #OxidationArt #ExperimentalMaterials

A layered structure of natural wood fibres bound with advanced resins. Woodflow-Skin by @strongbyform / More at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialoftheDay #Materials #Wood #InteriorDesign #BiobasedMaterials

Researchers at @RMITUniversity in Australia have developed a new oil-water filtration coating inspired by sea urchins. The material captures oil while repelling water. Engineers integrated the coating into a small robotic device that collects oil from the surface of water. Oil spills continue to damage marine ecosystems worldwide. They harm wildlife, contaminate coastlines and require costly clean-up operations. The RMIT team created a proof-of-concept robot called the Electronic Dolphin to demonstrate how advanced materials can support faster spill response. The compact robot skims oil from the water surface using a specially designed filtration system. Read more at https://materialdistrict.com/article/sea-urchin-inspired-coating-enables-robot-to-filter-oil-from-water/ #MaterialInspiration #Materials #MaterialsInnovation #Biomimicry #SurfaceCoating #OilWaterSeparation #EnvironmentalTechnology #SustainableMaterials #Robotics #MarineCleanup #AdvancedMaterials #MaterialDesign

The Atlassian Central Tower in Sydney is set to become the world’s tallest hybrid timber tower. The building will rise 180 metres across 39 storeys, setting a new milestone for large-scale mass timber construction in commercial architecture. Designed by @shoparchitects in collaboration with BVN and developed by Dexus, the project shows how engineered timber can transform high-rise construction. The tower combines mass timber with steel and concrete, creating a hybrid structure that significantly lowers the building’s environmental impact. As a result, the project aims to reduce upfront embodied carbon by 50% compared with conventional construction. In addition, the building will operate on renewable energy and targets a 6 Star Green Star rating and a 5.5 Star NABERS Energy rating. These ambitions position the tower as a new benchmark for low-carbon commercial buildings. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #MassTimber #HybridTimber #TimberArchitecture #SustainableArchitecture #LowCarbonConstruction #BiophilicDesign #GreenBuilding #TimberConstruction #HighRiseTimber #FacadeInnovation

The panels are made from soft, foam-like mycelium materials and upcycled textile residues. Pluma Kiwi by @mogumycelium / More at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialoftheDay #Materials #Acoustics #AcousticMaterials #BiobasedMaterials #InteriorDesign #Myceliym #RecycledMaterials