Two Sides of Sustainability #1

As we wrap up 2024, we’re excited to present the second installment of our curated collection: "The Two Sides of Sustainability." These days, rather than simply seeking out eco-friendly materials, we find ourselves examining the environmental impact of each one more closely. This year, we explored some of the most prominent materials and categorized them into two branches—natural and recycled—to better understand their applications. By looking at where these materials come from and how they can be repurposed, we can explore more thoughtful ways to use them.

We’ve categorized seven key materials—wood, paper, clay, fabric, plants & fungi, seaweed, and plastic—and compiled related samples under both natural and recycled categories. In this edition, we first take a closer look at {wood}, {paper}, {clay}, and {fabric}. You can explore specific material examples through the linked Mixtape!

❋ Mixtape is an exclusive online content series from Conc. Enjoy it with a Conc Master subscription! 🍄

Chapter 1. Wood

If you checked out <30 Spaces of the Year> you might have noticed how wood played a particularly dominant role in many designs this year. Perhaps this reflects an ongoing trend toward warmth and natural aesthetics. Beyond traditional solid wood and veneer, rustic materials like reclaimed wood and cork have gained popularity, blending seamlessly with an earthy, artisanal mood. Even custom terrazzo, which evolves with design trends, has started incorporating coarse wood chips and bark textures, emphasizing the tactile roughness of wood rather than just its pattern—a bold new approach.

Natural: The Tree That Keeps on Giving

1. Resin, Pine

   The all-purpose natural resin, pine sap

2. Lacquer, Lacquer Tree

   [Study] Lacquer │ Lacquered wood, by Pyeon So-jeong │ <Today's Lacquer> by Mu Tae-chilgi, Kosang

3. Cork, Cork Oak

   Walls and furniture finished with cork boards │ Seamless solid flooring, liquid cork linoleum

4. Wallpaper, Hinoki & Pine

   Natural wallpaper made from wood

5. Thermally Modified Wood

   Preserving the pure essence of wood with thermally modified timber

Recycled: Breaking Down Every Last Scrap

1. Reclaimed Wood

   A collection of raw, rugged reclaimed wood chipboards

2. Wood Chip Terrazzo

   Warm terrazzo │ Exploring the range and potential of aggregate materials

3. Wood Fiber Pellets

   Wood as a plastic alternative │ An unusual take on upcycled wood toilets

Chapter 2. Paper

Korea has quietly become a leader in the design scene, and one way to see this is through the growing global interest in Hanji (traditional Korean paper). Earlier this year, Swiss designers visiting Seoul through Pro Helvetia’s matchmaking program headed straight to Conc in search of Hanji. And just last week, Toteme, which landed in Seongsu, chose Hanji as the main material for its pop-up exhibition, blending Korean tradition into its brand identity.

If Hanji represents the strength and resilience of natural paper, the recycling of paper goes far beyond simply reusing old sheets. Discarded paper packaging can be repurposed into furniture, while shredded waste paper can be transformed into entirely new materials. Few materials combine eco-friendliness and recyclability as seamlessly as paper. Hanji alone spans both craft and architecture, making it an ideal sustainable material.

Natural: Traditional Paper Made from Nature

1. Traditional Hanji

   #LocalMaterialSpotlight #Hanji #Artist KimHyunJoo │ A gift from the mountains of Jeolla: Jeonju Hanji

2. Hanji Flooring

   Hanji flooring, now beyond just floors

3. Hanji Variations 1) Paperweave Wall Coverings

   [Study] Woven paper wallpaper │ A common thread between Fuglen and the Dior Riviera pop-up

4. Hanji Variations 2) Hanji Pulp Plaster

   Spray-on Hanji walls: Hanji plaster

Recycled: Where Does Used Paper Go?

1. Recycled Paper

   A collection of eco-friendly recycled papers │ Repurposing cardboard for displays

2. Paper-Based Plastic Made from Pulp

   The limitless recyclability of pulp

3. Eco-Friendly Insulation Made from Waste Paper

   Move over Styrofoam! Meet Eco-Liner, the sustainable thermal insulator

Chapter 3. Clay

Since ancient times, we have cultivated fields, built houses, and made tools with earth. It is the most familiar material and element to us. As the desire for natural materials has increased, clay has steadily gained attention. This year, through exhibitions at the Beautiful Ground headquarters and ROS Collective, the pride of clay in architecture and ceramics could be felt. Additionally, Anu, which reimagines industrial waste, has announced that discarded ceramic tiles will be used as art walls in a clothing store, marking the start of a new season. Ceramics are transitioning once again into building materials, creating a virtuous cycle.

Natural: Building with Earth

1. Earthen Architecture 1) Rammed Earth and Clay Boards

   [Study] Layers of Earth

2. Earthen Architecture 2) Clay 3D Printing

   From nature, back to nature: Homes made with clay

3. Ochre

   Natural pigments made from natural stones and earth

4. Clay Plaster

   Janu Tokyo: Earth walls, clay plaster │ Natural earth-based wall plaster

Recycled: When Earth’s Properties Change

1. Recycling Ceramic Waste

   Tiles and planters made from recycled ceramic

Chapter 4. Fabric

Among fabrics, woven materials have stood out this year. Textiles that enhance texture beneath intricate weaves have been particularly loved, with natural fabrics like hemp and cotton leading the charge. Other materials, such as sheer silks and fabrics like paperweave paper, were reexamined through pop-up exhibitions by Fuglen and Dior Riviera. Meanwhile, waste fabric panels, known for their unique patterns formed by bundled fibers, are now gaining ground as sturdy furniture and wall materials. In Korea, Plusnel has cemented its position as a leader in this field, while another korea company is studying FabBrick's brick-shaped panels.

Natural: Fabrics Made from Natural Fibers

1. Hemp, Hemp Plant Stems

   Grand Hand Seogyo Store: Laminated wood, hemp fabric │ A gift from the fields of Chungcheong: Hansan Ramie

2. Banatex, Abaca Fiber

   [Study] Natural Fiber #2: Abacel │ Cool and moisture-wicking eco-friendly fiber, Tencel

3. Silk and Sericulture, Silk Cocoon

   A gift from the fields of Gyeongsang: Ramie, hemp cloth, silk

Recycled: Synthetic Fibers Are Plastic Too

1. Waste Fabric Panels

   [Study] Give your old clothes a new home, Plusnel │ Bricks made from discarded clothes, Fab.Brick

2. Carpets Made from Waste Nets

   [Study] The Future of Sea Turtles