Maël Hénaff
Course Leader at MA Material Futures, Central Saint Martins London
Maël Hénaff is a French artist, music producer, and creative technologist based in London. His multidisciplinary work spans sound installation, physical computation, filmmaking, and activism, with a focus on speculative design. Through a storytelling-focused approach, Maël investigates emerging technologies within the context of climate change, exploring their cultural, social, and ethical implications. He is currently the Course Leader on MA Material Futures and a lecturer on MA Regenerative Design at Central Saint Martins. Maël has collaborated with various studios, including Superflux and UP Projects, and his research has been exhibited at prestigious venues such as the Design Museum London, Tate Modern, Milan Design Week, and Dubai Design Week. His practice aims to hack and democratize technology, fostering critical debate on how it can benefit our communities in near-future scenarios.
Judge’s selections
Social and Environmental Justice Prize
Thaely
Thaely Pvt Ltd
The fashion industry faces challenges beyond just materials. Thaely recognises this and proposes a game-changing approach that considers the people involved in the sourcing and manufacturing processes, as well as the recycling systems.
In a world where numerous innovative materials are introduced to the market, ThaelyTex offers a viable solution that supports engaged communities while addressing the urgent issue of plastic waste. The brand effectively highlights the importance of contextualising design processes by creating products that meet local needs.
Paving the Way Prize
The Growing Pavilion
Company New Heroes / Biobased Creations
The Growing Pavilion effectively demonstrates the potential and advantages of biomaterials while promoting a conversation about the need for the building industry—and beyond—to adopt more sustainable and regenerative practices.
This project takes a comprehensive approach to engage critically with various materials, production systems, communities, and audiences by showcasing a full-scale, 1:1 case study. Designing and collaborating with biomaterials should not be viewed as a limitation if the growth process is carefully considered. The Growing Pavilion serves as an excellent example of this.
Design for Debate Prize
Piss Soap
Arthur Guilleminot
Piss Soap's success hinges on tackling the issue of waste material and fostering a meaningful conversation about how human waste can be beneficial today and in the future.
Piss Soap emphasises the importance of understanding the materials we encounter in our daily lives, their history, and the taboos associated with them. By doing so, Piss Soap aims to design solutions and materials that are mindful of their context.
This initiative not only offers a way to recycle human waste but also provides an opportunity to reconsider our relationship with the materials that surround us and the stigmas attached to them.