Next Venue takes a stake in MaterialDistrict; twentieth edition moves to Midden Nederland Hallen

From materials library to a platform for real-world application

With Next Venue on board, the event is entering a new phase. Its strong content focus, network and established expertise in sustainable material innovation will remain at its core, complemented by Next Venue’s venues and event expertise. The ambition is to further develop MaterialDistrict, strengthen its content programme and reach a broader group of professionals across the construction industry.

MaterialDistrict was founded in 1998 as a materials library. After Jeroen van Oostveen took over the platform in 2008, it evolved into a broad ecosystem centred on material innovation, encompassing an annual trade event, independent material exhibitions, online activities and publications.

Over the years, sustainability has become an increasingly central focus. Whereas MaterialDistrict initially revolved mainly around discovering new materials, the emphasis has increasingly shifted to the question of how more sustainable materials actually find their way into buildings, interiors and public spaces.

MaterialDistrict broadens its reach across the entire construction value chain

Architects and interior designers have traditionally been a key audience for MaterialDistrict. In the coming years, the event aims to reach more of the other professionals who directly influence the use of materials, such as property developers, housing associations, property owners, municipalities and other public clients, contractors, construction companies, engineers, and sustainability and materials consultants.

This broadening reflects a wider development in the market. Sustainable construction is increasingly moving from experiment to everyday practice. As a result, what is expected of MaterialDistrict is changing too: not only showing which innovations exist, but above all making visible how these solutions can actually be applied.

Theme: Matter of How

For the twentieth edition, curator Leonne Cuppen developed the theme Matter of How. It builds on NextNow, the theme of the 2026 edition, which highlighted that many sustainable material solutions are no longer experimental: they exist, they are maturing and, in many cases, they are ready to apply today. The next step is acceptance and scaling up.

In 2027, Matter of How takes this idea further. The question is no longer just which materials we need, but above all how we work with them: how we design, build, use and transform.

According to Cuppen, innovation is increasingly emerging not from a single revolutionary new material, but from the way design, technology, ecology, production and collaboration come together. Bio-based is not automatically the best solution, and new construction is not necessarily the answer. Sometimes the greatest gains lie in smarter design, using less material, transforming existing buildings, and dismantling and reusing. It is about the right material in the right place, and about the entire life cycle.

This broader perspective will be reflected in the content programme of MaterialDistrict 2027. Alongside new materials, there will be more attention to practical case studies, technical depth, the role of clients, regulations, new production methods, scaling up and collaboration across the value chain. The Young Talents also fit firmly within this approach: a new generation of designers who do not automatically start with a solution, but first investigate what is really needed.

At the same time, the familiar core of MaterialDistrict remains recognisable: a curated trade show floor, an independent materials exhibition, an in-depth knowledge programme, Young Talents and space for start-ups and scale-ups.

From innovation to construction practice

This shift towards practical application was already visible at MaterialDistrict 2026 through a collaboration with TBI, one of the largest construction and engineering groups in the Netherlands. Twenty exhibitors presented their innovations to a jury. Three of them then each received a €10,000 voucher to work with TBI companies on further scaling up or a first real-world application.

For MaterialDistrict, this was a first tangible example of the direction in which the platform wants to grow: from showcasing innovation to accelerating its application.

Timo Kruft to gradually take over the event activities

The initial contact was made at Kruft’s initiative. He is the founder and owner of Next Venue, which operates and develops event and conference venues across the Netherlands. He also invests in events and organisations that align with his long-term vision.

By taking a stake in MaterialDistrict, he is adding a content-driven trade event focused on sustainable material innovation to his portfolio. The event activities and the brand will be transferred in phases over the coming years. During this period, Van Oostveen will remain involved to help shape the next phase and to pass on his knowledge, relationships and experience.

During their conversations, Van Oostveen and Kruft quickly clicked, both personally and professionally. Both are entrepreneurs who have built their businesses from the ground up over many years. They also share a strong interest in sustainability, reuse and future-proof concepts.

Joinlii to organise the event

From 2027, Kruft will be working with Joinlii to organise MaterialDistrict. The agency is led by Paul Verdult and Camille Janssen, two experienced event professionals with a long track record at Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs. Their work there included concept development and the organisation and positioning of B2B trade shows in sectors such as construction and industry.

That experience will now be applied to the further development of MaterialDistrict, together with the content expertise and network the event has built up over twenty editions.

New home in the heart of the Netherlands

With the move to Midden Nederland Hallen, MaterialDistrict is relocating to a venue from Next Venue’s portfolio. Its central location makes the event easily accessible to a nationwide audience.

At the same time, the surroundings are a good fit for MaterialDistrict’s broader scope. In the central Netherlands, construction, industry, knowledge and new raw material chains are relatively close together. The proximity of Wageningen, among others, creates interesting connections around bio-based raw materials, fibre crops and new material flows for the built environment.

The building itself also ties in with the story of MaterialDistrict. The event greenhouse and theatre greenhouse, which reach fourteen metres at their highest point, were created by reusing a greenhouse originally built for the Floriade Expo 2022 in Almere. For an event centred on how we can build, use and reuse more intelligently, it is a fitting new setting.

Online, media and publishing activities to remain independent

The takeover covers the MaterialDistrict brand and its physical event activities. The existing online, media and publishing activities will remain with Van Oostveen. These activities will continue independently and will eventually operate under a new name.

For Van Oostveen, this ultimately also marks a return to where his entrepreneurial journey began: online media and publishing. He helped lay the foundations of Architectenweb.nl and later co-founded Archello.com. After almost twenty years of MaterialDistrict, he intends to focus more strongly on the further development of his online and publishing activities in the years ahead.

One central challenge

MaterialDistrict 2027 will take place on 13, 14 and 15 April 2027 at Midden Nederland Hallen in Barneveld.

The twentieth edition will focus on the theme Matter of How and will bring together material manufacturers, designers, architects, clients, developers, municipalities, housing associations, consultants, builders, researchers, start-ups and Young Talents around one central challenge: not only showing what we can use to build more sustainably, but above all how we can actually make it happen.