Material Matters

Launched in 2019 as a critically acclaimed podcast, Material Matters has grown to become a leading international platform advancing material intelligence across architecture and design. Today, the platform convenes the global design community through its fairs in London and Copenhagen, an annual conference, and an ongoing editorial programme. Owned and organised by Delizia Media Ltd, the initiative actively champions a deeper understanding of materials, sustainability, craft, and innovation.

Returning Favourites and International Partnerships

The American Hardwood Export Council

Among the returning favourites, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) presents Wood for the Trees, an immersive exhibition created in collaboration with Mitre & Mondays and Benchmark. The project traces the journey of hardwood timber from the forest to the finished product, transforming a 140-square-metre space into an abstract woodland that guides visitors through five distinct stages: Growth, Planning, Selection, Resilience, and Timber. The public is invited to interact physically, spatially, and sensorially through touch and audio-visual storytelling, encountering the timber and its originating forests firsthand.

The mycelium-based material

The Dutch studio Aifunghi, founded by Marije and Bart Schilder, continues its innovative research into mycelium-based composites as a material for furniture and lighting. In Copenhagen, they are presenting their new designs, Vito Boox and Elisa Ubert, alongside extensions to their well-known Banet and Bolete collections.

Aifunghi at Material Matters Copenhagen

Smile Materials at Material Matters

Smile Materials (formerly Smile Plastics) participates into Material Matters Copenhagen 2026, showcasing a reimagined workstation inspired by the work of Will Atkins (Make Relief). A new furniture collection features its iconic core materials juxtaposed with maximalist options from their made-to-order range.

Smile Materials at Material Matters Copenhagen

New Names and Cutting-Edge Materials

This year’s edition introduces a compelling wave of newcomers to the international scene. Beyond Rational unveils the acoustic ceiling tiles of the Finnish brand Aisti®, made from renewable Nordic wood fibre, water, and air using a specialized foam-forming technology.

From Spain, BIRDMIND transforms rice-husk waste into high-performance, sustainable solutions designed for interiors, furniture, and contract or hospitality projects. On display will be Rice Tab and Rice Tab Plus (the latter made with the addition of mussel shells), boasting a multitude of qualities and finishes.

Rice tab by BIRDMIND

The exhibition venue itself, Ukraine House in Denmark, presents the showcase Form In The Making. Curated by Anait Danielian and Larysa Tsybina, the exhibition features eight Ukrainian manufacturers and seeks to explore the delicate relationship between industry, craft, and functional art.

Moreover, many more design studios and brands showcase the future of circular manufacturing through innovative, sustainable materials. By transforming biomaterials, agricultural waste (such as coconut byproducts and olive pits), bio-based adhesives, demolition offcuts, and recycled glass, these designers create eco-friendly furniture, architectural elements, and sculptural concrete fixtures that champion regenerative systems and responsible production.

Concrete basins by Kast

Tradition and Craft Excellence

Drop Paper (Denmark) proposes a light, non-woven paper material primarily used for events, trade fairs, exhibitions, and indoor architectural solutions. The material is renowned for its characteristic fibrous appearance, high dimensional stability, and its ability to interact visually with light sources.

Hong Kong furniture maker CHICHOIMAO fashions handcrafted wooden products and small-sized furniture employing traditional joinery techniques adapted for modern lifestyles. Presenting their KIN and MEI ranges and unveiling brand-new pieces, their collections celebrate the intrinsic beauty of wood and high craftsmanship.

Material Matters Copenhagen
June 10-12, 2026
Opening hours: h. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Gammel Dok, Strandgade 27B
1410 Copenhagen

Material Matters Copenhagen 2026