Lecture programme Thursday 13 March

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

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The Biophilic Design Academy (BDA) offers a membership platform for designers, architects, and stylists seeking to integrate nature into their work. Members gain access to expert knowledge, sustainability insights, exclusive events, and a supportive community. BDA connects professionals with sustainable suppliers, clients, and peers, elevating biophilic design in the Netherlands.

Hosted by Biophilic Design Academy

The Substitute connects all players who can turn the interior design sector into a circular sector. Material suppliers, furniture manufacturers, home retailers, but also waste processors and circular craft centers. They develop tools, knowledge and concepts to accelerate the sustainable transition. As the guide to sustainable growth in the interior design sector, The Substitute offers interior design companies of all sizes the right knowledge, training and practical tools, including a quality mark guide.

Hosted by The Substitute

10:45 – 11:15

Lydia Fraaije, FRAAi Architecten
Biomimicry: What can we learn from nature about sustainable materials? (NL)

Lydia Fraaije is a biomimicry and biophilic architect who founded FRAAi architecten B.V. in 2006. Her work promotes sustainable, healthy living environments by designing within the limits of ecosystems. Inspired by nature, her designs aim to store CO2, bind nitrogen, purify air, regulate climate, and support biodiversity. Rooted in the Indigenous principle of leaving the world better than we found it, her approach fosters a deep connection with nature. This year, she represents the “Voice of Water” for the Embassy of Water at Dutch Design Week and has received the title of Earth Keeper through a shamanic ceremony.

11:00 – 11:30

Marieke Kamphuis
New, newer, newest – but at what price? (NL)

The impact of our consumer society is greater than we often think. Raw materials are running out, material costs are rising and the hidden damage to people and nature continues to grow. The call for change is getting louder – and companies can no longer look away because laws and regulations are changing. The entire furniture industry will have to deal with this. Are you prepared? In just 20 minutes we will keep you fully informed about the latest developments and what they mean for your organization.

11:20 – 11:50

Rik Maarsen, Rik Makes
Surrounded by a fertile environment (NL)

Rik Makes, founder of Compostboard, develops circular building materials by transforming agricultural residues like hemp and flax into sustainable panels using a biodegradable binder. His innovation enhances soil health and reduces waste. With a vision for a sustainable built environment, he has scaled production from 1,500m² to 20,000m² per year, serving architects and designers. His work bridges industry and nature by turning waste streams into valuable resources. As a pioneer in circular construction, he combines craftsmanship with environmental stewardship, driven by both historical insight and a forward-thinking approach to sustainability.

11:35 – 12:05

Various speakers
Material, Brand & Project; collaboration pays off (NL)

Machteld Rijnten will discuss with Robert Milder (Hayvenhurst), Bart Smarius (Fabraa,) and Hubert van de Keulen (Van Keulen ontwerp): How do you select and work with new sustainable materials suppliers.

12:10 – 12:40

Jeroen van den Berg, Duracryl
The development of cast flexible floor coverings, in particular Corques Liquid Lino (NL)

CEO of Duracryl Global Flooring, active worldwide in supplying and installing biobased floors. Duracryl is a family business with its origins in 1938. From a traditional flooring company grown into a leading manufacturer of sustainable green floor finishes such as Terrazzo and Linoleum.

12:25 – 12:55

Janne de Hoop, Hollands Wol Collectief
From Sheep to Sofa: Innovative chain collaborations in the furniture industry (NL)

Hollands Wol Collectief is the link in the Dutch wool industry. Together with Kairos, they reintroduced this sustainable raw material in the furniture industry. They explain how local wool can be used and what opportunities there are for scaling up and more impact.
Janne is co-founder of the Hollands Wol Collectief. The company sells locally and sustainably produced wool felt and wool fibers. They deal sustainably with materials, processes and the people they work with. Together with sheep farmers, they work on processing all Dutch wool. By using wool, you contribute to a circular industry, and that is a huge benefit for everyone.

12:45 – 13:15

Mirjam den Boer, Sense to Connect – Scents to Support
Fragrance as a natural force in biophilic design (NL)

Sense to Connect was founded by Mirjam den Boer, who developed this unique way of working with her expertise in aromatherapy and neuroscience. By using scent in a targeted manner, amazing results are achieved: spaces not only feel more pleasant, but actually support the well-being and functioning of people.
A small, dedicated team from Arnhem works on scent support that perfectly matches the principles of biophilic design. The experience and expertise ensure that scent is not just an addition, but an integral part of the design. With advanced scent machines that fit seamlessly into any interior and are easy to operate via an app, a natural, intuitive scent experience is created that brings spaces to life.

13:00 – 13:30

Machteld Rijnten, The Substitute
Plenty of possibilities (NL)

In order to operate in a circular economy as an interior stylist, furniture maker or furniture brand, you need knowledge of the buttons you can turn to operate more circularly step by step. In this keynote, Machteld will walk you through various strategies for both sustainable design and circular business models.

Triboo transforms waste into valuable circular office furniture, proving that new products don’t require raw materials—just a radical shift in perspective. Using innovative technologies like 3D robot printing, pressing, and CNC machining, they give plastics, wood, e-waste, and textiles a second life. Their circular business model minimises CO₂ emissions and waste, creating sustainable, locally produced designs.

Hosted by Triboo

During MaterialDistrict Utrecht 2025, BNI presents two programme components within the theme ‘Less CO2, more co-operation’, focused on circular design and cooperation in the furniture industry. In the first part leads Rick Porcelijn a workshop around his new Snelstartgids Circulaire Meubels. There is also an interactive session, supervised by Suzanne Bakkenist, one of the partners in the new cooperative Oboros, in which cooperation and challenges are central within circular design.

Hosted by BNI

13:20 – 13:50

Marc van der Heijden
#Greengridz: From Waste Costs To Raw Material Value (NL)

Marc van der Heijden is the founder and director of TRIBOO, a company focused on disrupting industries such as logistics and construction. With over 19 years of experience, he is passionate about creating simple solutions for complex challenges and promoting innovation. TRIBOO, established in 2016, addresses environmental issues by turning waste, such as plastics and natural fibres, into valuable circular office furniture. The company’s goal is to contribute to a future where resources are abundant and waste-free, aligning with the vision of a circular economy. TRIBOO has been recognised for its sustainable practices, including awards from the European Commission and the Koning Willem I Plaquette.

13:35 – 14:30

Rick Porcelijn
Workshop: Snelstartgids Circulaire Meubels (NL)

Rick Porcelijn, designer and author of the new Snelstartgids Circulaire Meubels, presents an interactive talk on sustainable furniture design. He explores how professionals can reduce the CO2 impact of furniture and elevate circular designs. Using simple tools from his guide, Rick demonstrates how to deconstruct furniture and calculate its CO2 footprint. He collaborates with the audience on scalable solutions to reduce waste and promote a sustainable future. The book offers practical advice on selecting materials that prevent waste, are durable, and have low environmental impact, ideal for designers and producers aiming to create beautiful, eco-friendly furniture.

14:00 – 14:30

Tristan Van Straaten & Jana Slancikova, De Klerk Interieurbeplanting
Natural design: The power of plants within Biophilic design (NL)

Tristan is a plant expert and biophilic design enthusiast who connects people with nature in indoor spaces. His passion for greenery evolved into a career in interior planting. In the coming years, he aims to focus on the optimal integration of plants into biophilic designs.
Jana is a landscape architect and specialist in interior planting. With a creative approach, she designs green oases in indoor spaces, allowing people to feel connected to nature even when inside. Her passion lies in combining biophilic design with sustainability to create inspiring and healthy environments.

14:30 – 15:20

Susanne Bakkenist, Oboros
Experiences and Challenges in Circular Design (NL)

Interior architect Susanne Bakkenist, a partner in the new co-operative Oboros, leads an interactive session on collaboration in circular design. Oboros combines expertise in design, project realization, and process guidance to make circular projects accessible and achievable. Suzanne shares insights from her collaborative experiences and explains how circular opportunities are leveraged. The session encourages participants to discuss challenges faced in adopting circular thinking, design, and practices. The goal is to find solutions and further develop sustainable approaches together. Suzanne’s studio, REST, focuses on spatial design by reusing and valuing existing elements like buildings, materials, and furniture, using minimalist and sustainable methods.

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

Moderator: Leonne Cuppen

14:35  – 15:05

Beitske Bouwman
The Healing Power of Nature (NL)

Drs. Beitske Bouwman is a writer, nature inspirer, and freelance lecturer at various universities. Through her literary work, she explores contemporary issues using storytelling and imagination. In 2018, she founded Anaya Academy to connect people with nature’s creative and healing power. She collaborates with institutions like ARTEZ, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the Kröller-Müller Museum. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD at Wageningen University, researching how people express their connection to nature through language. Her novel Boomtijd will be published in April 2025. In her lecture, she explores the human-nature connection and its impact on well-being.

15:45 – 16:15

Rameshwari Jonnalagedda
Minimal Matter – Rethinking 3D Printing for Adaptive Design

Rameshwari Jonnalageda is a London-based designer and architect exploring geometry, fabrication and sustainability. As the founder of Serame Studio, she works with minimal surfaces to create lightweight, porous structures for architecture and product design that respond to their context. Through 3D printing, she develops new approaches to design that are as sculptural as they are practical, always with an eye towards minimizing material waste. Her work with Minimal Matter rethinks the potential of 3D printing to create adaptive, environmentally-conscious designs that evolve with their surroundings.

15:25 – 15:55

Petra Jongeneel, CBRE
Life Centric Design – How do you design with a smaller ecological footprint, but with a greater impact for the user? (NL)

Petra Jongeneel is a Senior Interior Architect at CBRE’s Design Collective. Since 2017, she has led a team of design specialists dedicated to creating inspiring environments where people thrive. With expertise in innovative office concepts and sustainable design, she translates client visions into engaging interiors. Her approach prioritizes life-centric design, emphasizing user well-being, sustainability, and biophilic principles. Petra believes that design goes beyond aesthetics—it tells a story and enhances human experiences. Passionate about sustainable and innovative design, she strives to create spaces that positively impact both the environment and the people who inhabit them.

16:20 – 16:50

Emma Batsheva
Can Luxury Lead The Way in Sustainability?

Sustainability is often associated with affordability and mass solutions, while luxury is linked to exclusivity and rare materials. But what if luxury craftsmanship is actually the best model for a sustainable future?
At just 23, Emma Batsheva has quickly established herself as a voice for sustainability within the design world. Graduating cum laude from Design Academy Eindhoven her work has been recognized as a finalist for prestigious awards, including the Louis Vuitton Design Graduate Initiative, Green Concept Awards, and Global Creative Graduate Showcase.
Emma is on a mission to reshape production systems by crafting objects that merge contemporary techniques with timeless craftsmanship. Her designs reflect a deep commitment to eco-conscious principles, cultural identity, and a keen sense of artistic integrity.

16:00 – 16:30

Erik Waanders, Greenpaints
Beautiful, healthy and affordable painting, it’s possible! (NL)

Erik Waanders is the founder and inspirator of Greenpaints B.V, distributor and importer of sustainable paints and related products. Paint is in his family genes and as a father of 2 beautiful kids he decided 13 years ago to focus entirely on good and healthier paint. He has a passion for sharing knowledge, working together, materials and architecture.

16:55 – 17:25

Joris Wintgens
Making Waste Work: The Challenges and Opportunities of Reclaimed Materials

In this talk, Joris Wintgens, founder of OFFSITE, explores the realities of working with reclaimed materials in design and production. OFFSITE creates furniture and objects from industrial waste, navigating challenges like inconsistent material supply, processing difficulties, and shifting perceptions of what ‘quality’ looks like. Joris shares insights on how to turn these obstacles into opportunities, offering practical strategies for designers and businesses looking to integrate reclaimed materials into their work.