LOVE MATERIALS AND VALUE GOOD DESIGN WITH PURPOSE?
Reconnecting people & the planet through materials, mapping, products, makers & their stories
Studio Material Values was born from the recognition of a disconnection with stuff around us and more importantly the wondrous world and where it all comes from.
Many of us are lucky with the choice and range of products now available, sped up by industrialisation, mass manufacturing around the world and our driving linear economic system behind it all. However, this has meant that we’ve also lost track of what it’s made from, how its made, who by and just what is the cost to the planet and ultimately society. Even if we even need it!
At Material Values it’s about loving, caring and thinking about our stuff more – not in a materialistic, more shiny, more stuff, consume, consume kind of way, but a thoughtful, considered and connected way. One that fully takes into consideration the impact of our stuff on the people making it, those that live where resources are extracted and the impact on the planet throughout it’s life.
It’s about celebrating products that have recognised the wider value of materials, using others “waste”, prolonging life, choosing carefully.
- It’s about great design that solves problems, improves material usage, looks at health, social and environmental aspects and wellbeing and overall uses less.
- It’s about exploring and championing the local area, mapping the material flows, the circular products, businesses, campaigns and individuals that are thoughtfully rethinking, redesign, reducing, reusing, up-cycling and recycling to support more sustainable lifestyles. (It’s also about finding where improvements need to be made).
- And it’s about values, deep rooted, purpose driven, socially responsible (yes money comes into it to, because this is important in being able to sustain an organisation of business) but wider social and environmental value is core.
It’s about redefining more, embracing less and feeling content and happy with the reality of enoughness for you.
Learning through action and engaging others to respect materials and champion the people creating from intrinsic caring and nature connected values more.
Signposting alternatives and engaging through action in various projects, programmes and campaigns.
You can also engage with:
Open Sustainability Resources For Reading UK
There are so many great organisations, people and things going on in Reading UK and the surrounding area that support a more sustainable “Circular” or sustainable place to live and work.
Open Sustainability Database for Reading
Since moving to Reading, I tried to look for and map where I may be able to, Reuse, Recycle things or buy second hand, gets things fixed. Where were the organisations rethinking systems and infrastructure that will help reduce environmental impact and contribute to people’s well being?
Well there’s lots and the momentum behind community and business powered change is increasing.
In June 2016 with the Open Source Circular Economy days project , we looked at beginning an open map of them all. Then, life gets busy and it’s left on your desktop until it’s more ‘ready’. However it never will be ready, as it’s continually evolving and it’s much better to share it openly and collaborate on. Based on this, I’ve written some blogs based on sustainability things and actions you take in the area, although there’s always loads of new things emerging since. You can follow some at Studio Material Values and the join in with the Reading Circular Economy Club.
Five Everyday Tips for Supporting Everyday Sustainable Change
- Broken doesn’t have to mean Goodbye – Repair, Mend, Maintain, Sew, Knit and Reinvent it!
- Get creative with what you have, learn and be inspired by others – Try making your own gifts, or perhaps give or take part in a workshop or events that support this
- Try eating and buying more Local, Seasonal, Veggie and homemade – Good for the environment and your tummy
- Always Question and Choose for Ethical and good design – Fair Trade, good materials, ethical policies, 2nd hand and support local and independent
- Get out, share and connect! There are loads of Community initiatives sharing Knowledge, Spaces, Connecting, creating Tech, Energy and supporting getting out into Nature
So please add to this open database, adjust as need and perhaps we can meetup and develop it further into a more accessible resource for Reading to connect and move sustainability forward in the area.
Alongside this some wonderful friends who run a startup called Appymaps have made a start of mapping Reading & the surrounding areas Social Impact.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1usVdjJrbWiLp-eBnPxtlhbAuukqULDrF&w=640&h=480
