“If the early 21st century can be characterised as a time of resistance, in particular to the climate emergency, how can the built-environment and in particular the interior, respond to these ongoing challenges? RCA Interior Design MA explorations respond to a world with finite resources. New-build and single-use processes will soon become obsolete distinctions for making cities, buildings, interiors and objects. Instead, superREUSING existing cities, buildings and objects, will provide all of the superMATTER for the appropriation of the superFUTURES of our built environment.”

‘I am the Platform Associate Leader on the superMATTER programme and this year our students have been immersed in the intimacy of making for the inhabitation of spaces, with the reuse of materials front and centre to the programme. Embracing the sensorial experiences of material intelligence in dialogue with AI, to unveil hidden narratives and unleash the potential of material circularity.

We designed a simple installation intervention at the Salone Satellite in Hall 5 stand A06 of the Salone del mobile; cladding the walls in paper card, ‘shingle style’, in this wonderful Nuclear Acid Green paper thanks to GF Smith. We hung each sheet together using a humble hole punch, a load of open zip ties (so they can be used again), and photography clamps, along with silver thermal aluminium foil on the floor, already on its second reuse from a previous showcase.

On display were small material models from the first term of the Primer Projects, (a chance for every student to test each platform before specialising in term 2 and 3). We welcomed many curious visitors onto our stand as the materials and models sparked conversations about the course and its programme. You can read more about Interior Design at RCA here, and come and see the Students of 23/24 at their Graduate Show which will be at the Truman Brewery this Summer, in July.’

LEGNO METALLO PLASTICA Wood Metal Plastic does Milano!

Further into the city of Milan, fellow URGE member Michael Marriott was also to be found at Small Small Space. It’s a beautifully ‘small site’, formerly a flower shop, now dedicated to contemporary visual culture and all the world around it. Corso di Porta Vitoria 46, 20122 Milan.

‘Marriott's creations are distinctive products crafted from materials and found objects reimagined in his Dalston workshop. Renowned for their simplicity, humour, and creative design, his works are inspired by a deep-seated passion for nature and curiosity about the complexity of structures rather than the transient trends of green capitalism.’

I hope to report further on Milan Design Week as a whole in the coming weeks, in the meantime…

‘Our seas and rivers are under threat’

We are reminded by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) that with an upcoming general election happening in the same year that the water companies are setting out their investment plans, 2024 is the year to turn the tide on the sewage scandal!

SAS are inviting YOU to turn your rage into change and join their UK-wide Paddle-Out Protests on Saturday 18th May, and take a stand against the sewage polluters! You can read further about the shocking statistics of the water companies here!

Further more, if you live in London you may already be aware of London Waterkeeper they have created a targeted approach to change via their strategy of ‘Pressure Points’, that aim for precise, effective solutions by focusing on existing regulations.

You can explore their available resources designed to support and guide you in bringing about meaningful change in your local area. East London, has one of the worst records, with one sewer in Dagenham suffering from 90 overflows last year. You can read further and log your own formal complaint here!

Our friends at WaterBear invite you to be an active doer rather than a passive viewer! With a vision to transform brand partners into planet savers and Filmmakers into change-makers!

The WaterBear platform has so many inspiring short films and documentaries, a few captured below of some water themed ones - take a look for yourself and sign up to support and watch from their platform here.

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