Archive of (other) archives

A Better Source, led by Citron Studio, aims to help designers and small businesses to produce more responsibly. In the face of climate change, the material collection emphasises individual action over waiting for corporate and governmental changes. By providing a public, free directory focused on sustainable materials for Print—Packaging—Branding, A Better Source makes it easier to find environmentally conscious alternatives.

BioArt Laboratories serves as a hub where science, nature, technology, and creativity meet, fostering a sustainable bio-based community. They provide an inspiring space for experimentation and innovation, encouraging collaboration across various fields to develop new materials and creative solutions. The goal is to nurture international talent and expertise.

Their laboratory combines a biochemical research station for analysing and cultivating biomaterials with a traditional atelier for prototyping and developing new installations. BioArt Laboratories is the ideal partner for bio-based projects, offering specialised equipment, a diverse range of biomaterials, and collaboration with other expert labs.

BlueCity Lab, is a unique space where entrepreneurs validate products and processes for a circular economy. Located in the old changing rooms of the former Tropicana swimming pool, it features four labs: Fabrication, Fungi, Biochemistry, and Microbiology. BlueCity Lab supports a growing community of bioneers, pioneers in biodesign, who create examples of a regenerative economy through experimentation.

In recent years, Susana Mejía explored the Colombian Amazon with friends, guided by the ancestral knowledge of the Huitoto and Tikuna communities. They identified eleven botanical species and the processes of alchemy that allow for the use of their pigments in artisanal ways on natural fibres such as fique, cotton and paper. Near the city of Leticia, they installed a rustic workshop to explore and understand these manual processes in direct and close relationship with the environment: an encounter between basic human nature that knows how to transform, and botanical nature, which provides amazing possibilities. Color Amazonia documents this journey, using colour as a means to highlight the immense value of a rapidly disappearing jungle.

EMMy, developed by the Research Group Circular Built Environment under Prof. Dr. Linda Hildebrand, bridges the gap between complex scientific evaluations of materials and accessible, practical guidance for architectural design. The library categorises materials based on their origin, traceability, greenhouse gas emissions, and primary energy use, offering a clear overview of their ecological impact.

By combining scientific insights with user-friendly categories, EMMy supports architects in making informed, context-sensitive decisions about material sustainability—emphasising that ecological value is determined by how materials are used, not just their inherent properties.

The ETH Materials Hub (MATHUB) is the materials platform at ETH Zurich for research and teaching. This collaborative project between the Department of Architecture and ETH Library currently focuses on information and materials samples from the field of the built environment. This includes an online material database, supported by eight Swiss organisations, and the Architecture and Civil Engineering Library's extensive media offerings—material samples, technical literature, journals, films, and other databases.

The Future Materials Bank is an archive by the Jan van Eyck Academie that supports eco-friendly art and design by collecting and sharing information on sustainable materials from around the world. The archive is always growing and offers insights into how sustainability is evolving in art and design. Artists and designers can contribute their projects, becoming part of the community. The platform also includes a lab with physical samples and encounters, these components work together to provide knowledge and hands-on experiences with sustainable materials.

This website, created by Oslo-based design studio Goods, is an open-source resource for sustainable packaging design. Aimed at designers who value ethics and aesthetics, it shares insights based on facts and science. Goods hopes to elevate industry standards by building a community.

The Materials Library is a collection showcasing a range of materials sourced from everyday places like kitchens and workshops, as well as high-tech labs and factories around the globe. This hands-on collection invites you to touch, experiment, and explore the sensory properties of both familiar and unusual materials. The library delves into how form, function, and materiality interact. Embracing curiosity, it encourages play, learning, and even celebrates prototypes and 'failed' experiments as part of its dynamic research and teaching approach.

The KIT Materials Library housed an extensive collection of material samples, emphasising sensory exploration and critical evaluation, essential for training architects. It showcases both established and innovative materials and technologies, supporting students in understanding material theory and supporting their design projects. Students can borrow samples to enhance their project development and presentations.

KASK Biolab explores the role of colour in contemporary art and design, focusing on the environmental impact of the colour industry and promoting sustainable approaches. Current research, Ecology of Colour, investigates structural colour—colours created by micro-structured surfaces that interact with light, producing iridescence. KASK is pioneering this technology in the arts. From 2016 to 2019, the Colour Biolab project examined new, eco-friendly methods of creating colour, involving natural pigments, microorganisms, and waste materials. Conducted at LABORATORIUM, KASK's experimental art and biotech lab, this research has been showcased at international events and shared through workshops and seminars.

Since its founding in 2007, Material-Archiv has been dedicated to building and sharing comprehensive knowledge about materials and their applications. The website offers free access to detailed information on over 1,400 materials, 280 processes, and numerous applications. This includes key insights into properties, manufacturing methods, uses, and ecological considerations, all reviewed and authorized by experts.

As a unique educational network, Material-Archiv links digital data to physical samples and application examples across its members’ collections. Its initiatives range from exhibitions and events to publications and projects, addressing pressing topics like circularity, recycling, and the evolution of materials. Material-Archiv ensures accessibility to a wide audience, presenting complex topics in ways that are engaging for the public while remaining rigorous for experts. Supported by a network of academic and cultural institutions, it fosters transdisciplinary collaboration and actively contributes to sustainable and socially responsible material use. Through its diverse activities, Material-Archiv empowers individuals to understand and shape the material world responsibly.

MaterialDistrict is a platform connecting professionals with innovative materials. Designers and R&D experts from various industries rely on it for discovering new material solutions. MaterialDistrict offers inspiration through its online platform, annual event in Utrecht (NL), and periodic travelling expos, talks, and pop-up events.

Materiom envisions a future where materials regenerate nature and enhance human health. As a collaborative platform for material producers, researchers, and brands, Materiom provides data and tools to transform natural ingredients into sustainable materials. Inspired by nature’s closed-loop systems, Materiom supports the development of materials that are both regionally sourced and net-positive for the planet. By uniting scientists, designers, ecologists, and industry, Materiom is accelerating a shift toward a regenerative materials economy that mimics the elegance of nature.

Plants have always been here, adapting and playing vital roles in ecosystems. Despite our reliance on them for products and food, most people are unaware of the processes behind everyday items. This distance limits our understanding and ability to make informed choices. This project explores the use of plant fibres in design, architecture, and art, sharing findings in this Encyclopedia to promote sustainable practices and preserve traditional knowledge. By understanding the nature and potential of plants, we can make better choices and leave a positive environmental impact.

The Sitterwerk Foundation's Materials Archive is a comprehensive collection of material samples serving as both a physical and digital resource. Focused on materials used in art, restoration, architecture, and design, the archive is continuously expanded through collaboration with the neighboring art foundry and the Material Archive network. Visitors can access the collection through the Sitterwerk catalog and find detailed background information on the Material Archive knowledge portal. Conveniently housed alongside the art library, the archive allows for integrated use, enhanced by the Workbench, an interactive table linking resources for seamless exploration.

Syntropic Materials is a research project by Eugenia Morpurgo, started in 2019 during the Tiffany & Co. Italian Fellowship at the American Academy in Rome and continuing with a fellowship at Akademie Schloss Solitude (2020–2021). The Library is an open platform archiving materials by species and characteristics, promoting exploration based on species coexistence. Users select a hardiness zone to see materials producible in similar climates, filtering through species and materials as needed. This tool helps expand design options for polycultural fields and fosters regenerative material design. Future updates will add more data and filtering tools, enhancing its use as a resource for innovative connections.

Waste Not believes sustainability should be accessible and transparent. Their mission is to simplify better choices in commerce, from packaging to interiors, ensuring that eco-friendly practices aren't hidden secrets. Change starts at the top, and by helping businesses reduce waste, positive impact can be accomplished. Waste Not began with a resource list by designer Michelle Mattar, now shared publicly to support auditing and sharing sustainable sources for a better supply chain.