Oct 18 2006
Materia has opened an Inspiration Centre in Holland where every innovative material from around the world can be seen, felt and experienced. Architects, interior designers and industrial designers can get to know new innovative materials that they can apply in their designs. The materials experts from Materia advise them as to the properties of the materials and their possible applications.
With the introduction of its Inspiration Centre, Materia aims to create a meeting place for creative professionals and producers from the whole world. In the centre they can inspire and stimulate each other to apply new, innovative materials. In this way Materia fulfils the function of a think-tank and also offers creative professionals a materials search-engine on the internet, travelling exhibitions, publications, newsletter, seminars, workshops, master classes and consultations. The materials search-engine from Materia (www.materialexplorer.com) is said to be the only one in the world that is accessible to everyone for free. Materia already has more than 20,000 registered web clients who regularly search for new useful materials.
The Materia company, of which the Inspiration Centre is a part, has existed since 1998. Up to now the information about materials has only been accessible through the Internet, electronic newsletters and a travelling exhibition. It is now getting a permanent exposition space, which is why it is moving from Rotterdam to Dock 36. Dock 36 is right on the A1 highway, the corridor between Amsterdam and Berlin. Dock 36 is a place where creative companies that highly value innovation and design converge.