In today’s design landscape, Material Driven Design (MDD) is emerging as a central methodology, reversing traditional processes by prioritizing materials as the starting point of creative and conceptual development. Rather than choosing materials to serve a pre-existing idea, designers now let materials inform form, function, aesthetics, and even business strategies—a shift likened to a Copernican revolution in design thinking.
This material-centric approach is increasingly embraced by designers, researchers, and manufacturers, many of whom build entire product lines or brand identities around the unique properties of a single, often sustainable, material. At Salone del Mobile 2025, numerous exhibits exemplified this movement, showcasing materials as narrative and functional cornerstones of design rather than mere components.
Bridging Performance and Sensory Experience
A key area of exploration is the integration of technical performance with emotional and sensory value, especially in the domain of acoustic design.
Slalom, a leader in this space, introduced solutions under its “Acoustethics” concept, blending acoustic efficacy, sustainability, and visual appeal.
Woody, for example, combines FSC-certified wood with recycled PET, thermoformed into lightweight, sound-absorbing panels ideal for contract and public spaces.
Bloom incorporates natural fibers and flower petals into acoustic panels, adding not just texture and color, but also scent through a low-heat process that retains natural fragrances—creating multisensory environments focused on perceptual and emotional well-being.
These projects highlight how materials can drive innovation not only in sustainability and performance, but also in creating holistic, human-centered design experiences.
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