BBoBB Final Conference – Leeuwarden

During the conference, the various project partners presented their results and experiences. From Kortrijk, the work in progress of four design projects was presented:

• Vlastic – ROT
• Nathan Vrebos – Citric Flax
• Michiel Wierinck – Crokinoleum
• Jan Loosveldt – Frame & wall objects

These projects explore, through different design approaches, how bio-based materials and material flows can be translated into concrete applications and objects.

One of the highlights of the programme was the inspiring keynote speech by Lucas De Man, who discussed the transition to a bio-based built environment and the question of how promising experiments can be scaled up for wider application.

Laura Willems from the Kortrijk-based start-up Vlastic then took part in the panel discussion. Drawing on her experience as an entrepreneur, she shared the challenges and ambitions involved in working with bio-based materials. In doing so, she brought the perspective of a young company to the debate: how do you translate experimentation and materials research into viable applications, and how do you continue to build a future in which bio-based materials take their rightful place?

Speaking from Kortrijk, Sébastien Hylebos (DRK) and Bert Vuylsteke (UGent) also explained the process involved, with particular emphasis on the development of the value chain and the use of the Biodesign Toolkit. This involved looking not only at the end result of the design processes, but also at the methodology and collaboration required to develop new bio-based applications.

To round off the event, participants also visited the bio-based value chain in action. The study tour was closely aligned with the conference’s objective of not only exchanging knowledge and results, but also getting to know key players within Frisian bio-based value chains.

Our first visit took us to Roel Wassenaar, a farmer who has recently started growing flax himself with a view to processing it for various applications, primarily in textiles and building materials. The visit clearly demonstrated how the shift towards bio-based materials begins right at the raw material production stage.

We then visited the pilot production facility of construction firm Dijkstra Draisma, where cattail is processed into insulation material. Afterwards, we also visited a show home built by Dijkstra Draisma. This brought the entire process to life: from natural raw materials and material development to application within a real-world construction context.

Above all, the visits highlighted just how important it is to approach bio-based innovation as a complete value chain. Scaling up requires not only good materials or robust designs, but also collaboration between farmers, material developers, designers, manufacturers, construction firms and clients. This value-chain approach also lies at the heart of BBoBB.

For Designregio Kortrijk, the initiative will take concrete shape during the WONDER Festival. There, the Flemish pilot projects will be brought together with international BBoBB projects:

• Vlastic – ROT
• Nathan Vrebos – Citric Flax
• Michiel Wierinck – Crokinoleum
• Jan Loosveldt – Frame & wall objects
• Zantman Architecten, Simone Larabi, Feike de Jong & OPNIEUW – Fjild Treffe
• Nikolova/aarsø – Hampens House

The projects are presented as part of a wider programme at Vakwerk, where the exhibition ECHOES OF THE EARTH brings together projects focusing on, amongst other things, bio-based materials, circular building systems and living processes. The exhibition approaches design not as an isolated end product, but as a process in which materials, knowledge and the environment constantly interact with one another.

As such, WONDER forms a fitting conclusion to the Kortrijk leg of BBoBB: from research and experimentation to prototypes and tangible applications, and ultimately to sharing knowledge with a wider audience.