‘From waste to Matter’ presents a decade of research dedicated to transforming agro-industrial byproducts into bio-based materials for architecture and design. Working with residues from industries such as coffee, wine, chocolate or beer, MATTER proposes a new generation of circular materials.

The talk explores the journey from waste to material: from industrial byproducts to material research, from experimentation to product development, and from circular economy theory to real applications in design and architecture. Through projects developed with industry partners and the creation of its own product line, MATTER demonstrates how waste can become a resource, and how design can play a key role in changing the way we perceive, use and value materials.

More than recycling, this work is about giving new meaning, function and identity to materials that already exist, contributing to a more responsible and circular material culture.

Rituals of Matter explores the transformation of cocoa husks, a byproduct of chocolate production, into bio-based materials and sculptural objects for architecture and design.

The installation presents different stages of the material process. Together, these elements reveal the physical transformation of a residue into a material with structural, tactile and sensory qualities. At the centre, a carved basin-like object references ancient vessels traditionally associated with ritual, preparation and containment. The piece explores material presence, weight and texture, connecting contemporary bio-based materials with archetypal forms historically carved from stone or wood.

The work also incorporates experiments with a natural adhesive derived from the same byproducts MATTER uses in the materials themselves, proposing a fully bio-based approach in which both material and binder share the same origin. Through texture, smell and form, the project invites visitors to experience materials beyond the visual.

MATTER is an award-winning materials studio that upcycles agro-industrial waste from everyday products such as coffee, chocolate and wine. Its mission is to create innovative, sustainable and aesthetic materials and products, transforming waste into unique design experiences that shape physical environments and reveal the stories behind the materials.