Materials close to the Earth

For over half a century, our consumption habits have been outpacing nature’s rhythms. According to the Global Footprint Network, we are now using nearly twice as many resources as the Earth can regenerate in a year – pushing the so-called ecological debt day earlier and earlier on the calendar. In Poland, we begin dipping into future generations' resources as early as May.

This is the consequence of a linear economic model that encourages overproduction and short-term use – the infamous “take, make, use, discard” cycle. It is a system that not only creates mountains of waste, but also accelerates environmental degradation, undermining our health, quality of life and climate stability. Today, more than ever, we need a systemic shift toward responsible design and circular solutions.

Why design?

Our industry has a significant impact on the Earth. It’s both a challenge and an opportunity.

We know that the construction sector is one of the most polluting human activities – according to “Building Materials and the Climate: Constructing a New Future”, it’s responsible for around 40% of the global carbon footprint. It depletes natural resources, risking their exhaustion and disrupts landscapes, contributing to the fragmentation of natural habitats and the decline of biodiversity.

One in five tons of plastics used in Europe ends up in construction – where it stays for decades in the walls, interiors and foundations of our homes and offices. Another pressing issue is chemicals – since 1950, global production of these substances has increased 50-fold, and by mid-century, it’s expected to triple. Many of these compounds end up in building materials – and in the spaces where we live.

All of this poses health risks – to both people and the planet. As Karolina Ferenc, the author of our Library of Sustainable Materials project, puts it:“The Industrial Revolution and the explosion of synthetic compounds it brought, now used in building materials, has turned buildings – designed to protect us from the elements – into a health hazard in and of themselves.”

Natural alternatives

We don’t want to be part of the problem – we want to be part of the solution. We are convinced the change starts from design and designers.

That’s why we are developing Poland’s first and Europe’s third Library of Sustainable Materials. Our goal is to support designers and architects in creating environmentally-friendly products and spaces. Our Library offers regenerative and sustainable alternatives to traditional materials in architecture, product design, packaging and fashion. We carefully select all materials, considering their origin, lifecycle, biodegradability, recyclability and potential uses in design.

We provide access to samples, consultations with our experts and a space for inspiration. We offer designers a tool that fosters creativity while supporting the well-being of people and the planet. Our materials come from the earth, plants and recycling.

What exactly do we offer? Here’s a preview. To discover more, join our Library to explore the full range, including specifications, certifications and potential applications.

From meadows to walls

Decorative surfaces made from wildflower petals, hay, coffee beans or lavender. Natural ingredients, gently pressed onto a substrate and bound with eco-friendly agents, transform into finished boards, panels or wallpapers. No chemicals, no artificial fragrances – just the pure scent of alpine meadows and nature, encapsulated in a thin layer of material.

Quieted by the sea

Organic, soft to the touch, subtly scented with the sea – hand-harvested sea grass panels create a new quality of acoustics. They calm, muffle sound and bring the atmosphere of nature indoors. And they ensure safety – circular, fire-resistant, toxin-free and acting as CO₂ storage.

Lime and clay – a return to the roots

Plasters and paints inspired by centuries-old natural construction methods. Made from natural materials that breathe with the house – regulating humidity and protecting against heat and cold. The powdered form is an eco-friendly nod to the environment. Artisan production and pure compositions – just like our ancestors built.

Bricks that lower emissions

It looks like a classic brick, but it holds a breakthrough. Made from recycled materials from demolition sites, without firing and with minimal water use. As a result, its carbon footprint is 95% lower than traditional building materials. Suitable for interiors and facades. Durable and safe.

Recyclates and rarities

Panels and boards made from plastic waste in the spirit of empathetic design. Entirely made from recycled materials, including some challenging waste – such as "ghost nets" retrieved from the Baltic Sea or used ropes. Each sheet is unique, telling its own story with a one-of-a-kind pattern. All are recyclable.

Panels to grow

Soft to the touch, visually light, yet effective in soundproofing. Panels made from mycelium, available in geometric shapes, allow you to create spaces in the spirit of biophilic design. This is the material of the future: not manufactured, but grown – with almost zero carbon footprint.

Let’s meet at ARCHITECT@WORK

Our Library is hitting the road. We are proud to have been invited to create a sustainable materials exhibition at this year’s ARCHITECT@WORK – an international event for architects and interior designers showcasing the most inspiring innovations in the industry.

The theme “Circular Horizons – Architecture for the Future, Built Today” resonates with our mission. In response, we have prepared a unique exhibition, “Sustainable Home – materials and solutions”, demonstrating how innovative, eco-friendly and local materials can be used to design and build in harmony with nature.

At the heart of the exhibition will be a cross-sectional model of a modern eco-friendly home – its structural and finishing layers are entirely made from materials sourced from our Library of Sustainable Materials. It's a vision that connects nature, empathy and innovation.

Learn more and visit us at one of the events:

• Warsaw: May 28–29, 2025
• Prague: June 18–19, 2025
• Gdańsk: November 19–20, 2025

Discover our manifesto for architecture that does not destroy, but rather supports and coexists.