Toelichting Studio ThusThat
The materials in our everyday lives are much more complex than they initially seem. Every material comes at a cost; vast quantities of byproducts and wastes are left in its wake. However, scientists work tirelessly to find new applications for these wastes in an effort to overthrow the old model of resource extraction. Harnessing the power of design and storytelling we aim to complement the academic approach and bring color and beauty to this new narrative of a more sustainable future.
The contribution of the construction sector to both global CO2 emissions (8%) as well as resource depletion (e.g. scarcity of river sand) are well known issues today. In order to build a more sustainable, more healthy and more socially just society we must ensure the preservation of human habitat as we know it. Tacking these wicked problems through the utilization of waste streams plays a key role in achieving these ambitious goals.
Greener alternatives must be competitive within the existing industrial/economic model and they must be sustainable in the long run. In order to ensure the technical validity of the project we worked in close collaboration with the material science department at KU Leuven. Their expertise in waste based materials for the construction industry was invaluable for the success of this project.
Collaboration and playing off each other's strength lies at the heart of this project. Scientists are fantastic at solving problems and developing new, better technologies. Design and architecture on the other hand have the ability to tell stories, change public perception and stimulate change on a societal level. Showcasing the academic research of KU Leuven through the means of designed objects has proven an effective way to communicate with various stakeholders from the construction sector.
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