BACKGROUND >

The CREATIVE RESOURCE research project was initiated in 1994 by Jakki Dehn, a reader in Product and Furniture
Design at Kingston University and the CREATIVE RESOURCE Project Director. Her research initially set out to explore the global availability and readiness of new materials made from waste and how they might be utilised in products, furniture and interior spaces. The expansion of Jakki’s Research has lead to the creation of the physical and digital CREATIVE RESOURCE Library, which is one of the most thorough Sustainable Materials databases globally and forms the backbone of this online resource. The Resource is also visualised in the form of a travelling exhibition called The CREATIVE RESOURCE Exhibition which is currently on display at the Building Centre in London. j.dehn@kingston.ac.uk

Mark Ballance has been involved in Sustainable Design Research since early 2006. He joined the CREATIVE RESOURCE team as an assistant researcher in 2007. Before joining the team Mark completed a successful MRes in Sustainable Design and Development, a project carried out over 5 months between the UK and Southern Africa. m.ballance@kingston.ac.uk

Peter Perstel joined the project in April 2007 after finishing his MA degree in Product and Spacial Design. In his final master project he carried out research into waste management and investigated applications for bio polymers and biodegradable plastics. p.perstel@kingston.ac.uk

Together Mark Ballance and Peter Perstel form part of the team that is responsible for material research, promotion and data management of the CREATIVE RESOURCE. They have played a large part in evolution of the CREATIVE RESOURCE into a solid Sustainable Materials Library through sourcing materials, updating current files and delivering more information on each material than was seen on the previous database. They have also guided a major update of the Rematerialise website.
Alongside their continual work at the Creative Resource, Mark and Peter also have established Credo Design, a sustainable design consultancy that focuses on the development and promotion sustainable products. www.credodesign.co.uk

OUR VISION >


The CREATIVE RESOURCE vision is to compile and maintain a versatile collection of 'Eco-Smart' materials, which by their very nature provide a range of environmentally responsible alternatives to other resource hungry materials. By tapping into both post-consumer and post-industrial waste streams, scrap and refuse otherwise destined for landfill is recycled and reused which reduces waste and maybe more importantly saves natural resources. It is unfortunate that many of these often-exciting new materials never make it into the wider market place and are tragically discontinued. Due toa lack of demand they just disappear!

The CREATIVE RESOURCE project aims to change this by compiling and mediating its findings to the international
design profession(s). Presenting a carefully researched collection of greener material alternatives in a digestible
and usable format. The ARCHIVE section of the site interprets our findings in a chronological 'timeline'. This
research-oriented part of the site provides a means for overview. By understanding the historic development of
Eco-Smart materials, we can begin to both anticipate and direct future developments. It also helps us to understand
the factors which influence the market success [and failure] of environmentally sustainable materials.

We make every effort in avoiding 'the ethical stance'. There is rarely such thing as a universally 'green' material and
we try to remain aware of this when selecting new materials to join the collection. Each material featured has been
selected on the belief that it is a 'greener', less damaging alternatives to it's counterpart materials.
In other words if you're looking for HDPE, we have gathered together a collection of HDPE samples from around the
world, with a 100% recycled content. Should you be interested in transparent materials, we have assembled a range of
transparent materials. Some of which are biodegradable, others recycled and some are simply extremely energy efficient.



If you would like to know more about the REMATERIALSE project, you can visit our FAQ's page for the most recently
asked questions by other visitors to this site. It will help to shed further light on what we are about. Alternatively, you
could e mail us with your questions and comments.