Nils Külper’s Post

🍄 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗶-𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗠𝘆𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗺? Why aren’t mushrooms building our future homes yet? Mycelium-based composites—those miraculous materials grown from fungal networks—seem like a no-brainer for sustainable construction. They’re biodegradable, made from agricultural waste, and outperform traditional insulation materials in thermal and acoustic properties. So, what’s the holdup? 🧩 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝘆𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘂𝗺: Foamy, not sturdy: While great for non-structural uses like insulation and panels, current mycelium composites lack the mechanical oomph needed for heavy-duty construction. Water worries: These materials love to soak up water—a bit too much—making them less ideal for damp environments without expensive treatments. Scaling pains: Low-cost substrates like straw or sawdust keep costs down but limit fungal growth, resulting in weaker composites. Advanced processes like hot pressing or resin infusion could help—but at a price. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴? ✨ 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿. In Switzerland, funding flows toward medtech, AI, and fintech, leaving green construction materials struggling for attention. But imagine the leap we could make with targeted funding to scale production, refine properties, and make biocomposites cost-competitive with traditional, non-degradable materials. The construction industry contributes up to 36% of global emissions. Isn’t it time we built something better? 💡 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. What’s your take? How can we channel more investment into materials like mycelium to transform our buildings—and our planet?

How can nature inspire innovation? When it comes to innovation, nature is one of our greatest teachers. Two powerful approaches for tapping into this wisdom are Biophilic Design and Biomimicry. Biophilic Design brings nature into our spaces - whether by integrating natural elements, connecting spaces to the outdoors, or mimicking nature’s forms and patterns in design. It's about enhancing the connection between humans and the natural world. Biomimicry goes further by studying how nature functions. It draws inspiration from the efficiency of natural processes - like the way lotus leaves repel water to create self-cleaning surfaces, or how whale fins inspire more efficient wind turbine blades due to their unique, serrated edges. Both approaches help us create smarter, more sustainable solutions. How do you see nature influencing innovation in your field?

A scientific paper presentation that doesn't translate to commercialization to level of setting up industries or enterprises is not technology. Furthermore, a technology that doesn't solve the problem on how to increase the GDP of a region, as in wealth creation is not civilization. Furthermore, a civilization that doesn't embrace humanity and ecological conservation is not an idea for sustainability. Furthermore an idea for sustainability must be such that fit into what we can pass on to future generation as a legacy. It takes someone with the right spirit to envision the above from the point of conceptualization of what he or she wants to research upon. #rightspiritmovement.

Is it write time to move towards a more sustainable and resilient economic model, inspired by ancient economies, modern systems can adopt some key principles while integrating advancements in technology and infrastructure ?Here’s how: 1. Reconnect with Environmental Cycles Ancient economies thrived by harmonizing with nature. For modern economies, this means: Promoting sustainable agriculture: Techniques like crop rotation, agroforestry, and regenerative farming echo ancient practices that maintained soil health. Adopting renewable energy: Solar, wind, and hydropower can mimic the reliance on natural cycles while reducing environmental harm. 2. Focus on Localized Economies Ancient economies were deeply rooted in local production and consumption. Moving towards: Decentralized production: Encourage small-scale manufacturing and local craftsmanship to reduce reliance on global supply chains. Support local trade networks: Farmer’s markets, community-supported agriculture, and local currencies can revitalize regional economies. 3. Build Resilient Supply Chains Ancient trade adapted to slow, unpredictable transport. Modern economies should emphasize resilience through: Redundant systems: Diversify suppliers and create backup logistics for global supply chains. Distributed infrastructure: Leverage advanced transport systems for efficiency while maintaining decentralized hubs. 4. Foster Collaborative Resource Management Ancient societies often shared resources like water and granaries. Modern analogs include: Cooperative ownership: Promote shared ownership models for resources like energy grids, housing, and transport systems. Digital platforms for sharing: Expand shared economies with tools like ride-sharing apps and peer-to-peer trading. 5. Invest in Adaptable Technology Technology must align with the natural environment and community needs: Smart farming systems: Use IoT and AI to monitor weather and soil conditions, reducing waste. Renewable transport innovations: Focus on eco-friendly solutions like electric vehicles and high-speed rail systems. 6. Integrate Circular Economies Ancient economies repurposed materials out of necessity. Modern systems can replicate this through: Waste-to-resource initiatives: Recycling, upcycling, and industrial symbiosis where one industry’s waste becomes another’s resource. Sustainable product design: Design goods for durability, repairability, and eventual reuse. 7. Empower Community Resilience Ancient economies were built on tight-knit communities. Moving towards: Strengthening local governance: Empower communities to manage resources and make decisions. Fostering cultural identity: Encourage pride in local crafts, traditions, and practices, as seen in ancient societies.

"Building a Better Future: My Takeaways from the Green Economy & Sustainable Construction Workshop hosted by AIIDEV on Friday,24th May 2024 During the workshop, I realized that the green economy is not just a tag, but a vital shift towards a sustainable future. It's about creating a world where our children can thrive, not just survive. Sustainable construction is the key to unlocking this future. Imagine buildings that produce more energy than they consume, or homes that are built from recycled materials! It's not just a dream; it's a reality that's already happening. But, there are challenges. Architects face the task of balancing creativity with sustainability. However, innovative solutions like carbon management strategies and sustainable building materials can help. Let's talk materials! Did you know that sustainable building materials like bamboo and low-VOC paints can reduce environmental impact by up to 70%? The benefits of sustainable construction are clear: cost savings, improved health, and environmental protection. It's a triple win! But, here's the wake-up call: the construction industry is responsible for 40% of global carbon emissions! If we don't act now, the consequences will be catastrophic. Let's join forces to build a greener, more sustainable future. Let's make conscious choices in our daily lives, support sustainable construction projects, and demand more from our leaders. #AIIDEV #teach4SDGS2024 #GreenEconomy #SustainableConstruction #GreenBuilding #EcoFriendly

👉 We need your help for the research of Stine Moons UA - Product Development Are you working in the domain of #innovation? Or are you working in the domain of #sustainability? 🛑 We’ve spotted a critical gap: innovation teams aren’t fully synced with sustainability goals. That’s why, Stine and Made Design & Innovation are researching the relation between sustainability and innovation within European organizations. Fill out the #survey and contribute to new insights on how companies can innovate for a more sustainable future. The survey takes only 15 minutes of your time and will be processed by University of Antwerp. 👇 Link in the first comment. Oh, by the way, we plant a tree for every completed survey in partnership with Go Forest! 🌳 Feel free to share or tag people in the comments. Questions or thoughts? Send me a message or reach out to Stine Moons or Made Design & Innovation #research #circular #Sustainability #Made

🚀 Elevating Innovation in the Workplace: Lessons from the Mass Timber Revolution In today’s fast-evolving business landscape, innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the backbone of sustainable growth and competitive advantage. But what truly fuels innovation within an organization? It’s not just the ideas themselves but the structured systems and processes that nurture these ideas to fruition. Take, for example, the construction industry’s leap towards sustainability through mass timber. This isn’t just a shift in materials; it’s a revolution in thinking, powered by an organizational scaffold that supports innovative ideas from conception to implementation. 🌿 Why Mass Timber? Mass timber is not just eco-friendly; it represents a holistic shift towards efficiency, resilience, and sustainability in construction. Its rise is a testament to what structured frameworks can achieve, offering valuable lessons on fostering innovation: 1. Collaboration is Key: Just as mass timber requires the collaboration of architects, engineers, and builders, effective innovation relies on cross-functional teamwork and open communication channels. 2. Adaptability and Continuous Improvement: The mass timber movement emphasizes adaptability and learning, essential components for any organization aiming to innovate. 3. Aligned with Mission and Vision: The push towards sustainable construction aligns with broader goals of environmental stewardship and responsible business practices. 🛠 Applying These Lessons How can we apply the lessons from mass timber to foster innovation in our own fields? It starts with building our organizational scaffold—clear systems and processes that support innovation, a culture of continuous improvement, and a workforce aligned with the company’s mission and vision. The mass timber revolution reminds us that innovation is not just about new ideas but about creating an environment where these ideas can thrive. Let’s take this as a cue to build our scaffolding for innovation, one beam at a time. 🔗 madebetter.substack.com I’m curious to hear your thoughts! How does your organization foster innovation? Have you explored new certifications or technologies to enhance your skill set recently? #Innovation #Sustainability #MassTimber #businesGrowth #digitalops

The Future of Sustainable Materials? Imagine a world where wood is grown in a lab—no deforestation, no waste, just sustainable materials for furniture and construction. The de Volkskrant article ‘Tomaten uit eigen lab’ explores the fascinating potential of cultivated wood. While this technology is still in development, the possibilities are promising. If the material will prove to be of good quality and production methods are sustainable, they have the potential to transform the building and product industries. I’m excited to see how this innovation evolves in the coming years! 🌍 #sustainability #innovation #cultivatedwood #circulareconomy Link: https://lnkd.in/diAWtBgM

Circular startup inspiration: Develop Circular Products like Circular Design Lab. Focus on creating products that are durable, recyclable, and easy to repair for a sustainable future. Link to example: Circular Design Lab https://lnkd.in/egMGVZti. Download the full report with more ideas. The link is in the comments section below. https://lnkd.in/egMGVZti

As we kick off 2025, we're looking ahead to our predictions for the top topics shaping the built environment this year: 1) Sustainability as standard A growing focus on climate-positive design will see greater use of renewable materials and integration of energy-efficient systems that will benefit both people and the planet. 2) Redefining urban living Thoughtful medium and high-density developments that deliver high-amenity lifestyles will be vital in shaping vibrant, connected communities. 3) Designing for belonging Spaces will increasingly prioritise inclusivity and flexibility, reflecting the diversity of the people who live, work and gather in them. 4) Technology for better outcomes AI and other technologies will enhance our ability to design smarter, more efficient and more engaging spaces. At TURNER, we believe in delivering architecture and design that connects people and places. By embracing and leading these trends, we're shaping the future of design to respond meaningfully to the needs of our time. You can read the full article on our website: https://lnkd.in/gHCyQvJm