Shifting Mindsets: Building Ethical Circularity Together
This year's conference brings together industry and academia by moving beyond current trends in renewable and recyclable materials, examining circular design from a holistic, systems-level, and more-than-human perspective.
Rather than limiting the discussion to material composition alone, it will address other key considerations in the development of new materials, such as energy and time efficiency, as well as advances in machine development. Focusing on thoughtful and ethical approaches, we will explore the integration of material innovations into real-world applications through pilot projects and prototyping.
At the core of the conference is showcasing authentic synergy and working methods that generate mutual value and uncover new avenues for collaboration between academia and industry.
This year, the Future Materials Conference features a special French Day dedicated to sharing the results of a research project focused on materiality in contemporary French and Hungarian design. Different cultural approaches to materiality shape how design practices engage with materials.
This day is organized with the support of the French Institute of Budapest.
Presentations will be in French, with simultaneous translation into English and Hungarian.
Ticket options available:
- Free in-person daily ticket: includes access to the talks only (catering, lunch, and admission to the exhibition opening and the closing event are not included).
- Online stream ticket: includes livestream access to the talks on both days – €10
- Premium daily ticket: includes full catering, access to a dedicated networking area with speakers, lunch, as well as admission to the closing event – €45
Tracks & Workshops
Wednesday, 15 October
Tangible Dialogues: A French-Hungarian Day on Design and Materiality
Program
14:00 Opening
14:15 Keynote Discussion
15:15 Presentations by the Research Team
16:45 Book Presentation and Roundtable
18:00 Reception & Performance
19:30 End of event
Venue
French Institute
Fő u. 17.
1011 Budapest
Thursday, 16 October
Track 1 – Synergy with Flora and Fauna
The track explores design as a more-than-human practice through theoretical perspectives. It focuses on expanding design to consider the needs of all living beings and natural systems. Through critical and speculative presentations, it challenges the boundaries of anthropocentric design and explores alternative ways of engaging with the natural world.
Track 2 – Circular Seeds
The track explores intuitive and experimental approaches to material-driven design. It focuses on the unique behavior of materials and how designers adapt to them throughout the shaping process. Hands-on, physical, and organic methods achieve large-scale impact through small-scale steps. In this track, material is not just a medium – it actively shapes the design process itself.
Friday, 17 October
Track 3 – Linking Academy and Industry
The track explores the possibilities of circular material-tech design, where precise, digital, machine-driven, and repeatable processes allow for a controlled shaping of materials. The focus is on the designer’s ability to control the outcome, giving the form its final shape and guiding the adaptation of the materialto the planned structure. This track seeks to build a bridge between academic innovation and industrial application, highlighting the synergy between concept and execution.
Track 4 – Circular Scalability
The track track explores circular systems thinking with a focus on lifecycle engineering, energy and time efficiency, and scalable process optimisation. It seeks to uncover what actually works – and what does not – when circularity is applied in real-world, system-wide settings. Through practical insights, the track invites reflection on both the potential and the limitations of circular approaches at scale.
Workshops – Please click here for details!
The Future Materials Conference is implemented with the support of the National Research, Development and Innovation Office, funded by the NRDI Fund.
