In search of new materials

Green, environmentally friendly materials have been of interest to designers for some time now. There are devices and components made of materials from renewable sources like castor beans, recyclable materials as well as recycled materials, such as ground or chemically depolymerized

PET plastic bottles. Natural fibers like wood have been mixed with plastics and the result has been composites with plastic-like qualities complemented with a soft wood-like feel and often also a mild scent.

The fashion industry has already seen clothes made of milk fibers, providing a hypoallergenic, soft and lush fabriclike a silk and cashmere blend alternative for eco-friendly consumers. Will the plastics industry also turn to natural proteins for new innovations? Corn and other starches are already in use.

Retro versus Real Thing

Past decades might be an interesting source of inspiration. For example, linoleum, a famous floor covering from more than hundred years ago, is made of 100 % natural ingredients: linseed oil in combination with wood flour or cork dust. Bakelite, on the other hand, was the first plastic made solely from synthetic components. It is no longer manufactured but Bakelite-like qualities might relate to retro trends popping up every now and then. Or how about using enameling on metal surfaces or the Tiffany technique of combining pieces of glass?

Old materials might appeal to the same public that prefers real materials: real sheet metal instead of plastic that looks like metal, or real glass instead of plastic windows. What will be the next real thing? Wood might work in some components, providing a soft and pleasant feel as well as strong support for green values. Cork does the same. Stone or even gemstones have a different feel and a lot more weight, but they also have visual characteristics that have not yet been fully utilized.

Soft versus High Tech

Quite the opposite of the close-to-nature trend are the ultra-high-tech materials and technologies that enable, for instance, transparent displays and advanced light decorations. They definitely create a nice contrast when used together with more robust materials or also with soft surfaces or organic shapes.

Will textiles finally make it as a decorations alternative – perhaps enhanced to meet the high requirements of modern protective chemicals, nano-technology or natural extracts? There are also fibers that are all that and more by nature: mohair, for instance, is durable, moisture-wicking, flame-resistant and non-wrinkling.

Second photo (c) Nissan