House 720 Degrees is a residential project by Mexican architect @fernandacanales_arquitectura, located in a valley near Valle de Bravo, Mexico. From the outset, the design links architectural form to material choice and site conditions. The house uses a mixture of local soil and concrete, which gives the building its natural colour and texture. As a result, the architecture visually connects with the surrounding landscape and avoids the need for additional finishes. In addition, the project operates fully off-grid and responds to a climate with large temperature differences and long rainy seasons. By working with durable, locally available materials, the design supports long-term performance and limits ongoing maintenance. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #CircularArchitecture #ResidentialArchitecture #LocalMaterials #SustainableArchitecture #OffGridArchitecture #EarthBasedMaterials #MaterialInnovation #LandscapeIntegration #LowMaintenanceDesign

Material of the day: Mycelium Acoustic Panels 🍄🔇 Developed by @myconom_labs, these acoustic panels are grown using fungal mycelium as a natural binder. The mycelium grows through agricultural and textile waste, forming strong, stable composites without petrochemicals, synthetic additives, or chemical processing. The result is a 100% bio-based and biodegradable acoustic material with excellent sound absorption across a wide frequency range. VOC-free and low-carbon, Mycelium Acoustic Panels offer a healthy and sustainable alternative to conventional acoustic materials such as glass wool, PU foam, and PET felt—while supporting better indoor air quality and circular design. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com You can experience Mycelium Acoustic Panels up close in our sample exhibition at MaterialDistrict Utrecht 📍 Werkspoorkathedraal, Utrecht 📅 4–6 March 🎟️ Get your ticket now via link in bio #MaterialoftheDay #Material #MyceliumAcoustics #MYCONOM #BiobasedMaterials #AcousticDesign #SustainableDesign #MaterialDistrict #MDUtrecht

The transition to renewable energy is driving strong demand for safe, affordable and scalable energy storage. Today’s battery technologies rely heavily on lithium-ion systems, which depend on scarce and often imported raw materials. This raises concerns around cost, supply security and environmental impact. Researchers at @fraunhofergesellschaft IKTS in Germany are developing an alternative: sodium-ion batteries made partly from lignin, a biobased by-product of the wood industry. Lignin is a natural polymer that gives wood its rigidity. In the paper and pulp industry, it is usually treated as waste and burned for energy. The ThüNaBsE project (Thuringia Sodium-Ion Battery for Scalable Energy Storage) aims to use this material in a more valuable way. The project brings together Fraunhofer IKTS, Friedrich Schiller University Jena and several industrial partners, supported by regional and European funding. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #SodiumIonBatteries #Lignin #BiobasedMaterials #CircularDesign #MaterialInnovation #SustainableEnergy #BioBasedDesign #FutureMaterials #EnergyStorage #WoodByProducts

3D-CeraClad is a Master’s thesis project by designer @m97amr that explores how additive manufacturing can reshape ceramic façade systems. The project introduces a modular building envelope made from 3D-printed ceramic elements with integrated thermal insulation and sealing solutions. As a result, it offers a high-performance alternative to conventional External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS). The system targets architects and façade designers who seek durable, fire-safe and expressive building envelopes. At the same time, it responds to growing demands for sustainability and material efficiency in architecture. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com @fgde.btu #MaterialInspiration #Materials #3DPrinting #CeramicFacades #SustainableArchitecture #FacadeDesign #MaterialInnovation #CircularDesign #AdditiveManufacturing #BuildingEnvelopes

A biochar-based admix material that reduces the net CO2-footprint of concrete. eLM Zero by EcoLocked / More at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialoftheDay #Materials #Biochar #Concrete #Architecture

Researchers at @vncstate have developed a self-healing composite material that could radically extend the lifespan of high-performance structural components. The material is tougher than conventional fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) and can repair internal damage more than 1,000 times. According to the researchers, this approach could increase the service life of composite materials from a few decades to several centuries. This innovation highlights how advanced materials can support long-term durability while reducing environmental impact. Longer-lasting materials lower the need for replacement, inspection and repair. This, in turn, reduces material consumption, waste and energy use over a building or product’s lifetime. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #SelfHealingComposites #MaterialInnovation #SustainableMaterials #AdvancedComposites #CircularDesign #FutureMaterials

.@Ventete, a UK-based design and innovation company, has developed the aH-1, a micro-collapsible bicycle helmet that uses air instead of conventional foam. The team designed the helmet in the United Kingdom and manufactures it in Switzerland. The project focuses on safety, material performance and everyday use. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com #MaterialInspiration #Materials #InflatableHelmet #BicycleHelmet #ProductDesign #MaterialInnovation #PneumaticStructure #UrbanMobility #WearableDesign #SafetyDesign

Material of the day: Mycelium Foam 🍄♻️ Developed by @kinecomycelium, this lightweight foam material is grown entirely from mycelium—the filamentous root structure of fungi. Cultivated on an organic substrate made primarily from straw-derived biofibres, Mycelium Foam offers natural structural stability and cushioning performance without the use of synthetic binders, additives, or petrochemical components. Produced in controlled environments at Kineco’s own mushroom farm in the Netherlands, the material is fully biodegradable and renewable. With its soft touch, warm appearance, and open structure, Mycelium Foam presents a compelling bio-based alternative to conventional polymer foams, while also telling a strong story of circular and regenerative design. Read more at MaterialDistrict.com You can experience Mycelium Foam up close in our sample exhibition at MaterialDistrict Utrecht 📍 Werkspoorkathedraal, Utrecht 📅 4–6 March 🎟️ Get your ticket now via link in bio #MaterialoftheDay #Material #MyceliumFoam #Kineco #BiobasedMaterials #CircularDesign #Mycelium #MaterialDistrict #MDUtrecht