MaterialDistrict

MaterialDistrict Expo: Healthy Heroes

The buildings of the future are sustainable and healthy. But what is a healthy building? And which materials have the right properties to contribute to healthy buildings and a healthy planet? With the materials exhibition “Healthy Heroes” during ARCHITECT@WORK in Brussels (29 & 30 May 2024), MaterialDistrict answers some of these questions.

Conventional construction methods often only pay attention to economic efficiency when choosing materials, and the consequences for a healthy indoor and outdoor climate take second place. Fortunately, more and more attention is being paid to sustainable and healthy construction, and more and more (interior) architects are discovering the advantages of building with (unconventional) materials that have a positive effect on energy, circularity and health.

Exhibition Healthy Heroes
During the exhibition “Heathy Heroes”, specially curated for ARCHITECT@WORK, MaterialDistrict shows a wide range of more than 120 innovative material samples. The exhibition is divided into two main themes.

Healthy Spaces shows a selection of materials that contribute to a healthy indoor climate (ventilating, air-purifying, moisture-regulating, thermally insulating), materials that protect us (antibacterial, UV-protected, anti-radiation, non-toxic, anti-allergenic) and materials that contribute to good acoustics and connection with the outside (daylight, greenery).

Healthy Planet pays ample attention to materials with a low CO2 footprint (biobased, circular), materials that generate or save energy, materials that are recyclable or reusable, and materials that are waste-saving or made from waste.

Collaboration
ARCHITECT@WORK and MaterialDistrict are both organizations that focus on inspiring (interior) architects and designers. Nathalie Sandra from ARCHITECT@WORK reacts enthusiastically to the collaboration: “MaterialDistrict really adds value to our event with this materials exhibition, with independently selected material innovations that are tangible to our visitors, exactly why an architect comes to our events.” Jeroen van Oostveen of MaterialDistrict adds: “We have been working together for 15 years, it feels like a good marriage where we only need half a word to create something good together for which architects come to Brussels.”