Kaori Akiyama & Shubhi Sachan On Everyday Materialities
Living Library of Seeds, a tool developed for IKEA. Photos courtesy of MLI.
This article is based on the original article by Natasha Berting for What Design Can Do.
We have summarized and adapted the content to provide insights into the perspectives of Kaori Akiyama and Shubhi Sachan on everyday materialities and their contributions to the fields of design and sustainability.
In the realm of circular design, understanding the composition and purpose of materials is essential for minimising their environmental impact, particularly regarding resource consumption and waste generation. Beyond the obvious, materials influence culture and behaviour subtly yet profoundly. Natasha Berting recently engaged in a dialogue with two pioneers in the field of material research and design: Kaori Akiyama, founder of STUDIO BYCOLOR in Tokyo, and Shubhi Sachan, founder of the Material Library of India (MLI). Both are part of this year's Selection Committee for the Redesign Everything Challenge, organised by What Design Can Do, and they shared insights into the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and the future of material research.
Nori Pigment research process and finished tiles, photo by Jube Kato and STUDIO BYCOLOR.
Kaori Akiyama: Valuing Heritage and Craftsmanship in Design
Kaori Akiyama has spent over a decade exploring how materials and colours influence product and spatial design. "When making something new, I always want to know how it was made in the past. Why was it made in colour it was and the material it was made from?" explains Kaori. Investigating the history of materials isn't just about understanding their past uses; it's about valuing the heritage and craftsmanship that inform contemporary design practices. This approach involves rethinking and reconsidering the traditional methods that could enhance future designs. "Encounters with new materials and technologies, as well as dialogues with developers and craftspeople, stimulate my curiosity and motivate me," she adds, highlighting the dynamic interplay between historical understanding and innovation.
Nori Pigment research process and finished tiles, photo by Jube Kato and STUDIO BYCOLOR.
Nori Pigment research process and finished tiles, photo by Jube Kato and STUDIO BYCOLOR.
“What excites us is not only what we can discover from faraway materials like moon sand, but when we encounter the unknown charm of materials that are hidden in our daily lives.”
Nori Pigment research process and finished tiles, photo by Jube Kato and STUDIO BYCOLOR.
Kaori Akiyama: Valuing Heritage and Craftsmanship in Design
Kaori Akiyama has spent over a decade exploring how materials and colours influence product and spatial design. "When making something new, I always want to know how it was made in the past. Why was it made in colour it was and the material it was made from?" explains Kaori. Investigating the history of materials isn't just about understanding their past uses; it's about valuing the heritage and craftsmanship that inform contemporary design practices. This approach involves rethinking and reconsidering the traditional methods that could enhance future designs. "Encounters with new materials and technologies, as well as dialogues with developers and craftspeople, stimulate my curiosity and motivate me," she adds, highlighting the dynamic interplay between historical understanding and innovation.
Shubhi Sachan: Advocating for Material Literacy
As the depletion of natural resources looms closer and waste levels surge, the Material Library of India (MLI) envisions a future where waste streams become reservoirs of valuable materials. "India is a growing economy, hence the economic gap is huge. While some people are still holding on to sustainable traditions and practices, a part of society has completely forgotten about them — this is the beauty and the challenge of an extremely diverse country like India. Through our consultation and material literacy programmes, we try to reduce these gaps. If the project is focused on artisan communities — then our role is to either bring awareness about material histories or respective values to the market," says Shubhi. At the forefront of consultation and awareness initiatives, MLI is a dynamic research and design consultancy fervently devoted to unlocking the latent potential of industrial and agricultural waste. With nearly a decade of pioneering work, MLI boasts specialised expertise in developing innovative, data-driven solutions that revolutionise utilising these overlooked materials.
“But good materials often come with a slower pace of making and consumption. There is a huge mismatch between the sustainability that is demanded by the capitalist world versus the sustainability that nature’s cycles allow. It’s exciting to see people wanting to do more and more sustainable products and practices, but at the same time it’s sad to see them giving up to the pressure of the large orders and fast-paced manufacturing cycles. ”