Inspiring stories: Mater

Newsroom 13/03/2018 | 09:30

Mater, the biggest library of materials in this part of Europe, which was launched last year, is an extended, constantly-renewed collection of material samples. It is the ideal space for architects, interior designers, industrial designers, fashion and jewellery designers, illustrators, artists, constructors and advertising professionals.

By Anda Sebesi

The project was initiated by Nod Makerspace and the co-founding team consists of Sabina Baciu as project manager, Florin Cobuz as head of development and Tamina Lolev as head of research. Other team members include Sandy Balasoiu, master librarian, and a team of librarians that will guide people in discovering the materials at Mater.

“The need for a materials library was born inside the community of architects and designers at Nod Makerspace. Since creatives work with samples of all types of materials, the idea was raised to organize a wall with various materials so that everyone could consult them. Starting from this, the project developed into an extended space of 1,000 sqm dedicated to materials,” outlined Baciu.

The library has more than 3,000 material samples, with rock, ceramics, metals, textiles, composites, glass, plastic, coatings, concrete, wood, sustainable and experimental the main categories of materials. Some of the investment was raised through crowdfunding. “We had over 200 supporters in the crowdfunding campaign and we raised EUR 18,722, against a target of EUR 15,000,” she added.