The Materials Library was created through a collaboration between SÕÕR and the Pallas University of Applied Sciences in order to support designers, artists, students, entrepreneurs, and everyone interested in developing and using circular materials made from renewable natural resources. The aim of the library is to make material-related knowledge more accessible, encourage experimentation, and foster a community of sustainable, material-driven design in Estonia.

The Materials Library creates a connection between three levels: learning, experimenting with materials, and sharing knowledge. Material creation does not take place only for the needs of a specific project; every experiment contributes to a shared body of knowledge about biomaterials. The next learner can repeat, modify, and further develop previous experiments. In this way, a continuously evolving knowledge infrastructure is created, with its value growing through every new material, recipe, and user experience.

An important educational outcome of the project is also the development of Estonian-language terminology related to materials. Since the English term “biomaterials” does not directly correspond to the Estonian term “biomaterjal”, the project consciously focuses on refining and making accessible material-centred and circular design vocabulary in Estonian.

The Materials Library was already put into practice during SÕÕR’s summer school, held on 10–12 August, where material samples and recipes served as a starting point for young participants to develop a new material and installation concept from coffee grounds.

Explore the digital environment of the Materials Library here.

The creation of the Materials Library has been supported by the Environmental Investment Centre (KIK), the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, and the TAL project.