Get Inspired Newsletter

Posted on 26 January, 2012 | Comments Off

We just published our latest newsletter Get Inspired #04 – VEGAN, a special edition that reveals the first discoveries of last year’s research journey around the world.

VEGAN focuses on the beauty of plant-based materials, such as Vegetal Ivory and Golden Grass, and takes a closer look at the ‘Made Of..’ material library which opened its doors this month in The Netherlands. The newsletter also includes an invitation for companies, designers and students to participate at this year’s Materials Café, a special platform for sustainable materials and design. An additional surprise is the bamboo illustration on the backside of the newsletter that demonstrates the beauty and various uses of bamboo around the world. All together, happy reading!

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iF Material Design Awards 2012

Posted on 11 November, 2011 | Comments Off

Last month, 44 design experts from around the world were gathered in Germany to select the winning entries of the iF Design Awards 2012. During two days they explored the huge exhibition halls to review over 4000 entries featuring products, communication, packaging and materials – all brought on location. To get an impression of the enormous selection watch the iF closeup video (above) including juror statements and an explanation by Prof. Fritz Frenkler (awards chairman).

Material experts George Beylerian (Material Connexion), Michael Lanz (designaffairs) and Aart van Bezooyen (Material Stories) were jurors for the materials entries. Keeping in mind criteria regarding the material’s innovation, sustainability, presentation and commercial value we took a close look, and feel, to select the winning entries of the iF Material Design Award 2012.

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Material Stories Is Back From Around The World

Posted on 23 September, 2011 | Comments Off


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It’s Not Easy Being Green?
After six months and twelve countries, Aart van Bezooyen (owner of Material Stories) returns back in Hamburg. Together with Paula Raché (communication designer), Aart has been traveling around the world in search for sustainable solutions in materials and design. You can read more about their discoveries at the It’s Not Easy Being Green website and stay updated about their next steps via Facebook or Twitter.

What does this mean for Material Stories?
Material Stories gathered a lot of information by getting face to face with sustainability experts and by experiencing local crafts and natural materials. We love to inform and inspire you with materials and ideas that can make your designs more sustainable. If you share our interest in sustainable design – then keep in touch via Twitter or subscribe to the Get Inspired newsletter.

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Out Of Office / Around The World

Posted on 23 March, 2011 | Leave a comment

From March to August 2011, Material Stories is out of office, or better, traveling around the world for the It‘s Not Easy Being Green project.

It‘s Not Easy Being Green is a six month project by Aart van Bezooyen and Paula Raché focusing on sustainability in materials and design around the world. You can read more at www.itsnoteasybeinggreen.net

Want to see what we are doing?
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Twitter

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Goodbye 2010 – Hello Future Materials

Posted on 6 January, 2011 | Leave a comment

(Hasselt, December 2010)

Last December, the Design Platform Limburg invited Aart van Bezooyen to conclude their great A-Z Lezingen lecture series for 2010. After some 600 kilometers of snowy landscape Aart arrived in Belgium at the Z33 venue for his lecture titled Aging focused on the use of time in design and materials selection (more materials lecture photos after the jump).

Unlike history, in 2011 we will put our focus on future of our planet. Material Stories is doing this with the following two projects.

Firstly, a special show titled Materials Café at this year’s Hannover Messe (from 4-8 April 2011) will bring together the latest materials developments and the people behind the scenes who made this all happen. All of this in an enjoyable setting bringing together great stuff with great coffee.

Secondly, if we talk about future we should talk about sustainability. Currently, Material Stories is planning a worldwide journey focused on sustainability in materials and design (Read: skills of people, materials of places and the lifetime of products). Stay tuned!

For now, best wishes from Hamburg – more writings soon!

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A Materials Exhibition That Might Save Your Life

Posted on 8 November, 2010 | 1 Comment


Fire Fighting Suit

Last week, the Stille Stars exhibition (Silent Stars exhibition) opened its doors at the Wilhelm Wagenfeld House. After entering the building we walk into a range of “super suits” made of innovative materials that protect us from burning fire, freezing water and dangerous chemicals and other harsh conditions – which is what this exhibition is all about. Silent Stars are materials that enable more innovative products, sustainable products and products that might save your life (see photo).

The exhibition can be visited until February 27, 2011. Watch more materials photos and information after the jump.

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Materials Award For Claudy Jongstra (And Her Sheep)

Posted on 28 October, 2010 | Leave a comment

Congratulations to Claudy Jongstra who has been awarded with the DOEN | Materiaalprijs last weekend at the Dutch Design Week 2010. For years, Claudy Jongstra not only designs but also produces unique fabrics for objects and interiors. She even keeps her own herd of Drenthe Heath sheep and a botanic garden to grow natural dyestuffs and realize unique color schemes. We love her personal approach that goes from sourcing the raw material to finishing the final design.

I’ve added a short documentary to understand more about her creative process and way of working (see video above). The documentary itself is part of a new series of so called Dutch Profiles focusing on the international position of Dutch design, fashion and architecture.

Read on for more information about the DOEN | Materiaalprijs and Dutch Profiles videos.

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