Programme
No talk of the future. How it works.
The MaterialDistrict 2027 programme centres on the step from material to application. Architects, designers, clients, producers, advisers, builders and researchers share what is needed to get more sustainable material choices into projects for real.
One theme each day, the whole chain every day.
Not day 1 for the architect and day 2 for the builder. Each day centres on one question, answered by designers, clients, builders and advisers together.
Less
Day 1 · Tuesday 13 April · leave outIf less material is demonstrably better, why do we still build with too much — and who gives way?
What’s already here
Day 2 · Wednesday 14 April · reuseHow do we make reuse and transformation the normal route instead of the exceptional project?
Life
Day 3 · Thursday 15 April · give backHow do we build so that a building gives back more than it costs — to the people inside and the surroundings around it?
The same structure every day.
The programme starts at 10.30 and runs through to the drinks reception. Alongside the main stage, a practice stage and a smaller stage run, including for Young Talents.
- Keynote — the speaker who opens the day’s theme.
- Interview — one to one, on the practice behind the theme.
- Project — a completed project, told by the people who made it.
- Supply-chain dilemma — the question where design, client and builder disagree.
- Closing conversation — where do we stand, and what is the next step?
- Drinks reception.
Session times, speakers and the layout per stage will follow later.
Five lecture series, two theatres, three days.
The 2027 programme is being curated now. To give a sense of what to expect: these were last year’s series.
- Cutting-Edge Ceramics — The shifting boundaries of ceramic materials, from recycled ceramics to distinctive design approaches.
- Biobased Materials — The emerging landscape of biobased materials from design, research and concrete application. Moderator: Sigrid Lussenburg.
- Tomorrow’s Timber Talks — Full-day programme on timber construction and biobased materials in architecture, with PEFC Nederland. Registered with the Architects’ Register as continuing professional development.
- BOOT, Insert & Oboros — How circular design works in practice: reused materials in renovation, procurement via the Insert Marketplace, and interiors with more than 80% reuse.
- BNI workshops — Two sessions by the Dutch Association of Interior Architects on materials and design that already make a difference today.
The Tomorrow’s Timber Talks are registered with the Architects’ Register as official continuing professional development.
Who stood on stage.
| 10:45 | Niels Monsieurs, Palet | Palet: Making unique tiles at scale |
| 11:00 | Aniela Hoitink, MYCOTEX | From material innovation to system innovation |
| 12:10 | Ward Massa (FRONT), Camilo Restrepo (Biomason), Alasdair Bremner (Alusid) | Rethinking how materials are made |
| 12:45 | Tom van Soest, Blended Materials | Crafted to look great. Made to matter |
| 13:20 | Michiel Dekkers, i-did | Five keys to a successful circular business model |
| 14:00 | Gijs Bruggink, ORGA | Wood & Wellbeing: the power of timber in our living environment |
| 15:45 | Rik Maarsen, Rik Makes | How to compare sustainable materials |
| 16:20 | Marjanne Cuypers, SeaWood Materials | From Ocean to Object |
From the programme of Thursday 5 March 2026. Lectures are in English unless otherwise indicated.
Want to speak in the 2027 programme?
The programme is curated by Leonne Cuppen and Sigrid Lussenburg. Tell us why your story belongs there.