Next-Gen Materials Discussion
Next-Gen Materials Discussion
Our panel discussion at Saturday Indesign 2024 in Sydney, NEXT: Exploring Creativity, Curiosity, Innovation, and Partnerships in Next-Gen Materials generated robust discourse about the future of materiality.
Guest speakers Andrea Rossetto of Arper (Head of APAC, Arper), Ben Rennie, (Co-founder, and Managing Partner, Reny Chair, Australian chapter of Design Declares), Professor Veena Sahajwalla (2022 NSW Australian of the Year, ARC Laureate Fellow, Director, ARC Microrecycling Research Hub, Hub Leader, Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub, National Environmental Science Program Director, Centre for Sustainable Materials Research & Technology) & Su-Fern Tan (Head of ESG, CBRE Pacific Region, Chair, Expert Reference Panel, Sustainable Fitouts GBCA) were moderated by Stylecraft’s Marketing and Sustainability Manager, Nicole Johnson.
The panel emphasised the importance of material innovation and manufacturing to achieve better, more sustainable outcomes. Key moments included conversation about the shift towards timber and other plant-based materials in construction, the business case for green buildings, and the importance of a circular economy in the architecture and construction industries.
The roles that science, technology and design play in creating innovative solutions was highlighted, such as the UNSW Green Ceramics Microfactorie and batteries from waste textiles. The importance of creative confidence, partnerships, legislative support, and considered design approaches were also stressed, with a focus on reducing embodied carbon and promoting circular materials. The discussion concluded with an emphasis on the need for government policies and industry collaboration to drive change.