How will geopolitical conflicts and more frequent natural disasters impact the future of materiality?
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The Swatch #08 examines the concept of dust as a metaphor for resilience and renewal, as its meaning shifts from being a waste material to a valuable resource in a world facing conflict and scarcity.
The phrase “From Dust to Dust" symbolises the cyclical nature of things, where endings bring new beginnings and destruction leads to renewal. Karma Dabaghi's hand-blown vases, made from collected and recycled glass from the Beirut Port blast aftermath, not only serve a practical purpose, but also embody hope and resilience in the face of adversity.  
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Dust is constantly created, dispersed, and reformed. As resource scarcity becomes an increasingly pressing issue, it's crucial to find innovative ways to utilise the potential of dust as a valuable resource.
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A prime example of this is StoneCycling®, a Dutch company which leverages biotechnology to convert construction waste into a new building material using limestone produced by bacteria. The BioBasedTiles installation at Helix Lab in Kalundborg, Denmark, is the largest so far: saving 2,865kg of CO2 and upcycling 19,000kg of dust and debris from demolished buildings.
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Seymourpowell's CMF Strategy team leverages creativity and innovation to transform overlooked resources into valuable products, supporting innovators by making material solutions accessible.
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Through the circular accelerator and other sustainability tools, we are dedicated to promoting a circular economy which minimises waste and optimizes resource utilisation.How will geopolitical conflicts and more frequent natural disasters impact the future of materiality?