Seven alternative bricks made of reclaimed waste and biomaterials
Expanded cork, construction waste and human urine feature in this roundup of brick alternatives, designed to reduce the masonry unit's embodied carbon footprint. More
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"Modest" architecture focused on reuse and biomaterials to dominate in 2023
Retrofit, biomaterials and grassroots design are among the trends that architects including Kjetil Thorsen and Samira Rathod predict will define the architecture of 2023 and beyond. More
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Luca Nichetto designs apple-leather Malala handbag for Angela Roi
Designer Luca Nichetto has made his first foray into fashion accessories with the Malala handbag, which was partially produced from apples for vegan leathergoods brand Angela Roi. More
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PlasticFree is a database of over 100 plastic alternatives for designers and architects
Environmental organisation A Plastic Planet has launched an online platform to help architects and designers source plastic-free materials for their projects and avoid the "minefield of misinformation" around more sustainable alternatives. More
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Eight innovative materials and products made from salvaged seashells
From concrete-like building materials to restaurant crockery made from the eateries' own food scraps, this roundup explores eight projects created using discarded shells. More
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Shellmet is a helmet for fishing workers made from waste scallop shells
Tokyo advertising agency TBWA\Hakuhodo and plastics manufacturer Koushi Chemical Industry Co have created Shellmet, a hard hat made from discarded scallop shells and recycled plastic. More
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BioLab Studio develops 3D-printed "bio scaffold" for growing mycelium
California-based BioLab Studio has developed a system that uses 3D printers to construct wooden scaffolding that cultivates mycelium maintained by a robotic arm. More
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Natural Material Studio creates reusable biomaterial gift wrap for Calvin Klein
Copenhagen-based Natural Material Studio has unveiled an understated pouch made from biomaterial for fashion brand Calvin Klein that was designed as a Christmas gift wrap. More
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Checkerspot releases algae-based plastic prototype kit for designers
California materials company Checkerspot has launched a casting kit named Pollinator Kit that allows designers to experiment with making components from algae-based plastics. More
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Helena Elston designs decomposable garments from mycelium and recycled materials
Designer Helena Elston has created a collection of upcycled clothing made from mycelium and London-sourced textile waste, which explores "how we can produce beautiful things from discarded materials". More
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Olive pits form modular Nontalo kids' stool by Eneris Collective
Design duo Eneris Collective has collaborated with Barcelona-based biomaterials company NaifactoryLAB to produce a playful stool for children made from waste olive pits. More
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Nina + Co brings biomaterials into MONC eyewear store in London
Cornstarch-foam shelves meet mycelium display plinths in this London store that Nina + Co has designed for bioplastic eyewear brand MONC. More
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Yuhan Bai creates alternative-leather clothing collection from soil
Royal College of Art fashion student Yuhan Bai has unveiled the Soil Project, a clothing collection made with a soil-based leather alternative and vintage garments dyed with soil, at Dutch Design Week. More
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Myceen creates "soft and velvety" lampshades made from mushroom mycelium
Tallinn-based materials company Myceen has released a series of pendant lampshades called B Wise made from mycelium, which were shown at Dutch Design Week. More
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Packioli is a biodegradable soap packaging made from artichoke leaves and peapods
Industrial design student Alara Ertenü has developed a packaging solution for soap made from peapods and artichoke waste, which is currently on show as part of Dutch Design Week. More
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Mae-ling Lokko's Grounds for Return installation explores circular agriculture and architecture
Architectural scientist and designer Mae-ling Lokko used bio-based materials, including mycelium and coconut waste, to create this installation focused on ideas of economic and ecological justice at Belgium's Z33 gallery. More
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Ganni and Pyratex create tracksuit collection made from banana waste
Danish fashion brand Ganni has teamed up with Spanish material research company Pyratex to create a grey clothing collection made from a banana-waste biomaterial. More
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TômTex and Peter Do create garments from shrimp and mushroom food waste
Biobased material developer TômTex collaborated with New York-based fashion designer Peter Do to create two looks for his Spring Summer 2023 collection at New York Fashion Week. More
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Kelp Mini Clutch is a bioplastic bag based on 3D-scans of seaweed
Austrian designer Julia Koerner has created a 3D-printed clutch bag for her fashion brand JK3D, which is made from bioplastic and modelled on tendrils of kelp. More
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Evolution Music creates "ecologically sound" bioplastic 12-inch vinyl featuring artists Beatie Wolfe and Michael Stipe
Music and sustainability collective Evolution Music has designed a 12-inch vinyl made of bioplastic using existing record pressing machinery, which features tracks by artists Beatie Wolfe and Michael Stipe. More
