For founder and principal of Foolscap Studio, Adele Winteridge, materiality has always been more than a means to an end. Through placing materials that carry a story of innovation, sustainability and beauty at their core, Winteridge and her team have carved out a niche within the design landscape. Their work consistently pushes the limits of what designers can do with unexpected materials, resulting in imaginative design outcomes that demonstrate how materials made from waste are not simply sustainable but exquisitely beautiful and deeply human. 

Here, Winteridge shares the cutting-edge materials she’s using now and is excited to use in the future.

saveBOARD’s building materials made from upcycled packaging 

We’re always looking for smarter, more sustainable materials that don’t compromise on design intent, and saveBOARD is one we’re genuinely excited about.

Made entirely from hard-to-recycle packaging waste like Tetra Paks, saveBOARD uses no glues, chemicals or additives. Its manufacturing process produces zero waste with all off-cuts and end-of-life materials reused.

It’s a smart alternative to plasterboard, MDF, plywood, and particleboard, and we’ve found it works beautifully across internal walls, ceilings, joinery and furniture.

We first used it extensively during our Foolscap x Future Materials exhibition for Melbourne Design Week 2024 and more recently in our Cultivated x Mark Tuckey retail space. We’re now looking at incorporating saveBOARD as our default for all joinery carcasses moving forward.

Hand-poured bricks by Natural Brick

Based in Warragamba, New South Wales, Natural Brick crafts sustainable bricks from recycled woodchip, sand and cement, which is hand-poured into moulds and naturally dried, offering a thoughtful alternative to traditional masonry.

Their enthusiasm for our unconventional ideas makes the Natural Brick team our ideal partners and we’ve loved collaborating with them on multiple projects, including working with them to create custom Palladiano terrazzo and oyster shell aggregate tiles for a confidential project.

Recently, our Sydney studio joined them for a professional development day, deepening our collaboration and understanding of their craft.

Durra Panel’s sustainable alternative to plasterboard 

I absolutely love Durra Panel. It’s not flashy or glamorous, but it’s genuinely amazing. Made from agricultural waste that would otherwise be burned, this renewable material transforms into strong, fire-resistant and fully recyclable wall and ceiling panels.

It offers insulation and soundproofing while being safer and more sustainable than plasterboard. I’m on a mission to stop plasterboard use, and Durra Panel feels like the perfect, responsible alternative.

Cork Spray’s natural coatings 

Cork spray is an innovative alternative to paint or stucco, made from cork and water-based resins. It offers excellent thermal insulation while remaining breathable and water repellent. 

The cork is sourced from Sardinia, combining raw cork with recycled, crushed wine corks. Applied as a sprayed finish, it adheres to a variety of substrates and works beautifully as both an interior wall finish and external render.

We’ve specified spray cork for numerous projects, including in the home of Foolscap’s associate director Renae Tapley.

BUXKIN’s ribbed upholstery and wallcoverings

Made in the Netherlands, Buxkin is an exciting material we’ve been keeping a close eye on. It is made from waste streams of the Italian shoe industry, including leather, textiles, wool, felt and paper. It’s VOC-free and produced in flexible rolls with a variety of ribbed profiles and colours. 

Lightweight and tactile, it’s a compelling, sustainable option for wall cladding. We haven’t specified it yet, but we’re keen to find the right project.

Circular Sea Collection by Mineral Fox

Mineral Fox is doing something truly special by transforming discarded oyster shells into beautiful, carbon-conscious architectural coatings. 

By replacing virgin aggregates, they reduce environmental impact and divert shell waste from landfill, locking carbon into the built environment. 

With over 10 million tonnes of oyster shells discarded globally each year, Mineral Fox partners with environmental and social organisations to give this natural resource a second life.

Skins Ruts by Paper Factor

Paper Factor’s Skins Ruts collection is a standout. It is simple in concept, but incredibly elevated in outcome. We also love how simultaneously playful and refined the collection is.

Made from FSC-certified recycled cellulose and natural pigments, the panels are manufactured using energy-efficient machinery that recycles 70 percent of its energy use.

Despite being made from paper, the panels are rock-hard. Available in varying densities, the grooved surfaces offer rich tonal variation, which makes it a compelling alternative to natural stone for cladding, joinery and other design applications.

For more Designer Selects inspiration, check out our growing archive.