Lecture programme Friday 14 March

The lectures are in English unless stated otherwise. The lecture programme is subject to change.

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Circular design is key to embedding sustainability in business, as 80% of a product’s environmental impact is determined in the design phase. Companies embracing circularity reduce their CO₂ footprint, cut costs, and stay competitive. Circonnect, a CLICKNL initiative, provides practical tools and knowledge to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

MaterialDistrict offers participants of the Young Talent Programme the chance to present their projects to a professional audience.

Moderator: Leonne Cuppen

10:45 – 11:15

Dirk van Deursen, CBM
System change in use of materials (NL)

A system change is needed to ensure that we use materials in a more sustainable way. Current legislation such as ESPR and UPV forces us to look at our processes and products differently. What role does the trade organization have in making this system change possible? In this session, we dive into the challenges surrounding materials, the collaboration needed in chains and inspire you with examples such as Wood Loop, Circular Furniture Standard and Environmental Impact Tool and more.
Dirk works from opportunities to solutions for social improvement and uses innovation to help people, change systems, and in recent years to make a sector more sustainable. That was and still is his mission every day at CBM.

11:00 – 11:30

Morris Bouwman
HumanDistrict? An exploration of material representation

Morris Bouwman is a design researcher based in The Hague. By studying interspecies relations and modern material cultures, he seeks to reflect on the interplay of ecology, culture, and industry. Central to his work is the inquiry into how the perception and conception of ‘nature’ shape the relationship between humans and their environments. For MaterialDistrict Utrecht, he has collaborated with fellow designer Arjen Witteveen to develop HumanDistrict, a speculative fair that imagines what MaterialDistrict would look like if it were organized by materials themselves. The project playfully challenges anthropocentric perspectives and explores new possibilities for material representation.

11:20 – 11:50

Lilian van Hove, Circonnect
More value with Circular Design (NL)

80% of a product’s impact is determined in the design phase. By including circularity from the start of your design, you can both reduce the impact and create more financial value. During this session you will be given a bird’s eye view of how you can (re)design a product or service and what opportunities lie there.
Lilian is Distribution & Hub Coordinator of Circonnect for the Netherlands and Internationally. With experience in guiding companies, chains and government frameworks, she has been committed for years to translating the abstraction of sustainability & circularity into concrete steps for entrepreneurs.

11:35 – 12:05

Lotte Wigman, Studio Lotek
Negotiating Boundaries, Design for the symbiocene

Studio Lotek is a material, spatial and system design studio. Fascinated with natural materials, history, biology, archaeology, marine life, design for non-human entities, and vernacular architecture, which serves as the foundation for creativity. The studio emphasises designing for human and nonhuman entities, rooted in the belief that creativity thrives through understanding and integrating diverse natural systems. By drawing inspiration from the natural world, Studio Lotek weaves these elements into narratives that connect the past and future. Its approach combines theoretical exploration with hands-on practice, enabling the contextualisation and realization of complex ideas within the work.

12:10 – 12:40

Jorien Niemeijer
From Legislation to a Circular Programme of Requirements (NL)

As a circular designer, Jorien works daily to embed circularity in the design process of companies. Yet she notices that many crucial questions and design choices are not self-evident. How do you ensure that circularity becomes a structural part of your product development? And how do you translate legislation and regulations into concrete design decisions? CirConnect offers practical tools to tackle these challenges yourself.
Jorien Nijmeijer worked as a product designer and engineer for 10 years before founding Let’s Go Circulair in 2019. She helps start-ups and SMEs with circular product development and sustainability. As a CIRCO trainer, she guides organizations in applying circular strategies. Its mission: design functional and aesthetic products with the lowest possible environmental impact.

12:25 – 12:55

Minne Zeijdner, MinneWorks
From waste wool to plant pots: a posthumanist design case

MinneWorks, the design label by Minne Zeijdner, transforms complex challenges into actionable solutions. From her start-up DieKees to usability engineering for med-tech companies, Minne finds a way to contribute to societies’ issues via concrete designs. She does so by combining her making- and research skills, mixed in with an abundance of empathy for all (non-human) stakeholders involved.
Situated in Eindhoven, the Netherlands’ heart of tech and design, Minne is a part of the Fashion Tech Farm Incubator. In this environment she incorporates her background as Industrial Design engineer and craftsman tailor. She specialises in posthumanist design, and aims to do so without loosing eye for realism. How can we make this nice, and how do we sell?

12:45 – 13:15

David van Nunen, LPB Sight
Measuring is knowing (NL)

In this session you will be introduced to the Environmental Impact Tool. With this tool you quickly gain insight into the structure of the environmental impact of a product, such as the shadow costs and the CO2 footprint. This insight helps to evaluate products and (circular) design choices and to work on optimizations in a targeted manner. This session is relevant for designers, (SME) companies and clients who want more control over environmental impact, in order to make effective choices.
David is part of the CIRCO and CIRCONNECT expert team and substantively involved in the development of CIRCONNECT tools. With experience in environmental impact studies, circular design methods, and relevant legislation, he is committed to helping entrepreneurs take targeted steps in sustainable development.

13:00 – 13:30

Marc Wijkmans
Wetlands: Biodegradable rainwear material revitalising the Dutch landscape

Marc Wijkmans is a material-driven design professional specializing in sustainable materials and products that benefit both humans and the environment. His work focuses on developing biobased composite materials, particularly from Dutch wool, for the textile industry. By combining hands-on experimentation with knowledge from biology, ecology, and (bio)chemistry, he balances innovation with sustainability. Beyond materials, he explores circular and regenerative economies, transforming waste into value through strategic business insights. With a Master’s degree in Industrial Design, he seeks opportunities in material design, circular business, and concept development, aiming to create sustainable products and local value chains.

Hosted by Wad van Waarde

Hosted by Mogu

13:20 – 13:50

René van Valen
From flax to a world first (NL)

How do you bring local production, chain cooperation and sustainability together into a successful product? In this lecture, René van Valen, Manager Key Accounts at Iedema Projectstoffeerders and ambassador of Wad van Waarde, will take you into the inspiring process behind our linen curtain.
From the first ideas to today’s challenges and successes: where are we now, what have we already achieved and what steps still lie ahead? You get a unique insight into the cooperation within the chain and discover the motivation behind Wad van Waarde. A lecture full of insights, practical experience and sustainable ambition.

13:35 – 14:05

Serena Camere, SQIM & Mogu
Biophilic Design: Mycelium-based standardised products

Serena Camere, Director of Mogu, a brand within SQIM, will explore how mycelium-based materials can transform industrial processes, promoting sustainable, circular, and high-performance solutions for interior design and architecture. Her lecture delves into the intersection of nature, technology, and design, advocating for a biophilic approach that integrates eco-friendly products into everyday spaces. With a background in Industrial Design and EcoDesign from Alta Scuola Politecnica and a PhD from Politecnico di Milano, Serena has researched cultivated materials like algae, bacteria, and fungi since 2016, contributing to Mogu’s innovative development of mycelium-based products since 2018.

14:00 – 14:30

Robin Clement, Ongekend Circulair
Circularity is something you do together (NL)

Robin Clement, 54 years old, after 20 years in real estate, Robin has made the switch to the demolition and asbestos industry. Here he quickly came to the conclusion that many still usable materials were being thrown away. With this in mind, Robin started “Ongekend Circulair”. With Ongekend Circulair we bring parties/companies together and hope that there will be more cooperation. After all, “Circularity is something you do together!” (this is also the title of the presentation). Robin started at NXT Bricks of NXT Building this year. A stone that consists of 85% waste material. The energy-efficient production process results in less CO2 emissions and the great thing is that the stone also stores CO2 during the production process! That is sustainable and circular.

14:15 – 14:45

Luna Wirtz-Ortvald
Reconstructing a Practice: A collective restoration of traditional eelgrass roofs on the Danish island of Læsø

Luna Wirtz-Ortvald is an architectural designer working at the intersection of spatial design and architectural research. After graduating from Design Academy Eindhoven in 2023, she continued her Master studies in Spatial Design at the Royal Danish Academy, from which she is to graduate in summer 2025.
With her fascination for architectural heritage and local material cultures, she finds great value in researching and understanding traditional building methods, as these were developed with a clear understanding of their respective environment.

14:35  – 15:05

Niek Riksten, DuSpot
Tinder for circular (construction) materials and raw materials (NL)

Sustainability and circularity, that is the DuSpot foundation. With our matching tool we make circularity accessible and scalable for everyone. DuSpot digitally maps the total circular supply and demand of materials. This means that every designer, buyer, manufacturer, supplier, architect, maker and other involved professional can view all the latest trends in the field of materials at any time. Using the search engine and the matching algorithm, all the supply and demand of circular materials is brought together and automatically matched for you. Tindering, but just a little bit different.
Niek Riksten, who works as a Product Owner at DuSpot, would like to take you through the DuSpot story and how DuSpot can help you exchange circular (construction) materials and raw materials.

14:50 – 15:20

Julia Steketee
From Residue to Resource: Transforming sugarcane waste into high-performance and healthy materials for interiors

Julia Steketee is a designer and bio-based material researcher. Her practice combines traditional craftsmanship and natural building techniques with scientific methodologies and the principles of the circular economy. In 2024, she founded Bagaceira, a material research and design studio that explores how sugarcane waste (bagasse) can be transformed into materials and products for interior architecture and design.

This session explores future-focused materials and design, where innovation, sustainability, and technology converge. From living textiles and bio-based alternatives to CMF trend forecasting, our speakers redefine materiality, integrating nature, science, and craftsmanship. Discover how these advancements shape industries, fostering a more sustainable, interactive, and responsive design future.

Moderator: Anouk Groen

15:25 – 15:55

Anett Papp
Weaving the Unseen: Crafting Materials That Think, Grow, and Transform

Textile and structure designer, exploring the intersection of woven textiles, living materials, and organic growth processes. She holds a doctorate in collaboration with plant-based textiles, reclaiming the relationship between nature and design. Her research and creative practice focus on self-patterning structures and co-creating with natural systems, where textiles are not just materials but evolving, responsive entities. She works independently, collaborating with scientists, designers, and researchers to develop innovative material solutions that integrate natural intelligence into design. Through education, workshops, and interdisciplinary projects, she fosters new perspectives on materiality, craftsmanship, and sustainability.

15:45 – 16:15

Amina Zemouli
The Mathematical Designer – How 3D printing opens up doors to design with mathematics

Amina Zemouli is a designer based in the Netherlands. Coming from a small town in the mountains of Algeria, she has been left with a strong connection to the raw and unpolished aspects of life. Amina finds resonance in what’s simple, earthy and unrefined. She is mesmerized by the works of Escher and Fibonacci, they allow her to see mathematics through nature and art. Visiting Alhambra inspired the connection of mathematics and architecture. She explores in her work mathematics through forms, shadows and structures.The Mathematical Designer – How 3D printing opens up doors to design with mathematics

16:00 – 16:30

Alexandre Carpentier, Novinov
Miscanthus, the verdant breath of a world beyond black gold

Architect by profession and passionate about innovation, Alexandre is the founder of the Stereoleap workshop, a French prototyping company. Materials play a central role in his approach, which he explores with enthusiasm through each project.
In 2024, he co-founded novinov, a company that develops innovative bio-based materials for 3D printing and plastics processing.

16:20 – 16:50

Savine Schoorl
Love is in the Hair

Savine Schoorl is a designer, artist, and material researcher passionate about textiles and craftsmanship.
Her work often centres around unconventional materials like discarded hair and hair extensions. Through material research and skilled craftsmanship, she uncovers their hidden potential and create responsible design practices, showcasing the beauty of giving materials a second life.

16:35 – 17:00

Anouk Groen
CMF Design Inspiration 2025+ (Design trends from a 3D perspective)

Anouk Groen is a seasoned Design Forecaster and Consultant with over 20 years of experience in the product and mobility industry. With a background in Product Design (ArtCenter College of Design) and a degree in Marketing and Management (Webster University), she specializes in CMF (Color, Material, and Finish) trend forecasting, bridging design innovation with market strategy.
As the CMF Research Manager at GK Design Europe (Japan) and owner of RNA Design, Anouk provides insightful trend reports, presentations, and facilitation for industries ranging from consumer electronics and automotive to sports and fashion accessories. She is also a core team member of Donna e Mobile (Mobility Design Network), actively shaping the future of sustainable design.