Materials for change

Events

Exhibitions

Surprising bio-based experiments. See this and other fascinating projects on display in the Designs for a Cooler Planet main exhibition in Marsio on 6 Sept – 3 Oct 2024.

Example of materials for change project, yarn made out of fireweed — Iines Jakovlev won the Ornamo Award 2024 for a thesis in the field of design. In her thesis, Jakovlev explores the dimensions of biomimetic design while investigating new fiber plants from local nature and roadside environments.

When

6.9.–3.10.2024

Where

Marsio

The potential of bio-based materials is often overlooked, as synthetic and non-renewable options are more familiar and set high expectations for functionality for bio-based alternatives.

Only by allowing certain imperfection we can recognise the possibilities, imagining a future where futile plants, industry side streams and agricultural waste are used as valuable resources for fabrics, packaging and even furniture production.

Materials for change invites us to rethink our approach to materials by showcasing surprising bio-based material samples that demonstrate alternative pathways towards a sustainable material future.

interior, architecture and design magazine Dezeen wrote after visiting our exhibition.

Nine featured projects and perspectives on the development and design of bio-based materials:

1. MAKING USE OF SIDESTREAMS
Saskia Helinska, Aalto ARTS / New Media
Marja-Inkeri Murphy, Aalto CHEM
Ilona Valovirta, Aalto CHEM
Krista Virtanen, Aalto ARTS/ Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design

2. RECYCLING WASTE
Inge Schlapp-Hackl, Herbert Sixta and Michael Hummel, Aalto CHEM
Matthias Selinger, Vienna University of Technology, Austria
Marja Rissanen, TAMK, Finland

3. DISCOVERING NEW SOURCES OF MATERIAL
Elizaveta Tapaila, Aalto CHEM

4. USING BIO-BASED AND BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING
Valentin Schwarz and Satu Paavonsalo, Aalto ARTS
Juha Lipponen, Marke Tyrväinen, Ziba Fathi and Jenni Roivas, Aalto CHEM
Lasse Pulkkinen and Tapio Tirri, XAMK

5. DEVELOPING MORE SUSTAINABLE SINGLE-USE PRODUCTS
Pegah Shamloo, Aalto ARTS
Pia Johansson, Aalto ARTS
Ali Tehrani and team, Aalto CHEM
Antti Oksanen and team, VTT
SUSTAFIT team of TAMK

6. GROWING NEW MATERIALS
Manuel Arias Barrantes, Aalto University / VTT
Géza Szilvay and Lauri Peuhkurinen, VTT

7. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF LOCAL MATERIALS
Iines Jakovlev, Aalto ARTS - winner of the Ornamo award 2024, for a thesis in the field of design.

8. CHERISING MULTISPECIES INTEGRATION
Tomek Rygalik, Aalto ARTS

9. FINDING NEW WAYS TO PRODUCE BIO-BASED MATERIALS
Matteo Anderle and Henrik Jansson, Aalto ARTS