Materials for Sustainable Design

This guide is designed for researchers who need to find resources to get started with research in topics related to sustainable materials across design disciplines.

Materials from KDI Materials Collection

External Non-Academic Materials Collections

Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Materials Index

This pilot materiality index is designed as a fiber knowledge tool with learning descriptions.

Future Materials Bank

The Future Materials Bank is an archive of materials that supports and promotes the transition towards ecologically conscious art and design practices. 

Living Building Challenge Materials Petal Database

The Living Building Challenge Materials Petal Database collections information about building materials, including a Regional Materials Map with a radius tool to facilitate product selection within LBC limits. The Database seeks to collect vetted products, helpful diagrams, and resaerch from the architecture community to build a resource for all firms seeking to create buildings free of Red List chemicals.

Material District

Material District is a leading match-making platform in a field of innovative materials, providing both a materials database and an extensive blog focused on emerging materials. Relevant blog channels for researchers include bio-based, biodegradable, ecology, and healing environment.

Materiom

Materiom is an open-access database and community platform supporting biobased materials innovation for packaging, textiles, durable goods, the built environment, and more. 

Transmaterial

Transmaterial is a catalogue of materials that redefine our physical environment, published by Blaine Brownell (formerly of the University of Minnesota College of Design). 

Last Updated: Apr 24, 2025 9:38 AM