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The studio’s journey began in Vienna with a pivotal project for a vegan restaurant, where the challenge of finding sustainable materials led to a breakthrough realization about the untapped potential of demolition waste. This insight inspired Studio8 to pioneer “Matterpieces,” a flagship initiative turning construction debris into premium cladding materials and bespoke designs.
The hallmark of their methodology lies in its commitment to circularity, innovation, and the aesthetic value of reclaimed materials. Their work not only minimizes resource extraction and landfill waste but also challenges conventional recycling by transforming inert construction debris into high-quality, visually striking solutions. Through collaborations with demolition firms and waste management experts, Studio8 has scaled its impact from small-scale experiments to industrial-level upcycling, setting a new standard in sustainable architecture.
We had the opportunity to speak with the studio’s founders, Patricia Gomes and Luis Lima, to delve deeper into their approach and future vision. Here’s what they shared with us.
Studio8:
“We are an architecture and material design lab that blends traditional crafts with digital tools to create sustainable, planet-focused solutions. The idea for Matterpieces began in Vienna with a project for a vegan restaurant, marking a turning point for us. During this project, we were searching for sustainable materials and encountered heaps of debris, prompting us to question how we could promote sustainability while ignoring the environmental impact of demolition waste. This realisation led to a significant shift in our approach, inspiring us to transform demolition waste into new materials for our projects.”
Studio8:
“Studio8 sets itself apart with innovative design methodologies centred on sustainability, circularity, and the aesthetic potential of reclaimed materials. Embracing the principles of a circular economy, we strive to minimize natural resource extraction and reduce landfill waste by repurposing construction site debris. Our flagship product, Matterpieces, exemplifies this commitment through two solutions: Matterpieces Standard and Matterpieces Exclusive+Service.
Matterpieces Standard transforms general construction and demolition waste from waste management companies into high-quality cladding materials. This approach not only enhances sustainability but also maximizes business impact and scalability.
On the other hand, Matterpieces Exclusive+Service focuses on upcycling site-specific demolition waste to create unique products for specific refurbishment projects. This service includes a comprehensive circular strategy and custom materials, making it ideal for clients seeking distinctive, sustainable solutions that celebrate the geological history of their buildings.
Both solutions showcase the inherent beauty of construction waste through textures designed for floors, wall cladding, furniture, and countertops. Our versatile installations demonstrate the creative potential of our materials, with options ranging from compact sample tables to larger installations tailored to meet diverse client needs.”
Studio8:
“Matterpieces focuses on repurposing inert construction and demolition waste (CDW) through a comprehensive process that includes demolition, separation, treatment, and upcycling. This process transforms waste into high-quality cladding materials for architecture and interior design, reintegrating it into the building lifecycle. Unlike conventional recycling methods, which often produce low-value materials for basic construction, Matterpieces elevates CDW by turning it into valuable, attractive cladding solutions.
The initiative intervenes at key stages of construction: during demolition, to ensure efficient waste separation, and in the finishing phase, where the recycled materials are applied. Additionally, it influences the design phase to encourage sustainable material choices and the project preparation phase to optimize waste separation, fostering a more circular approach in design and architecture.”
Studio8:
“Matterpieces idea began in Vienna with a project for a vegan restaurant, which marked a turning point for us. While searching for sustainable materials during this project, we encountered heaps of debris and asked ourselves how we could promote sustainability if we ignored the environmental impact of demolition waste. This sparked a significant shift in our approach, leading us to transform demolition waste into new materials for our projects. Our passion for exploration took us to South America, where we studied geological formations that inspired our material designs.
Back in Portugal during the pandemic, we experimented with circular solutions in our terraces and garages, leading to the creation of Matterpieces. We hand-crafted mixtures and textures, turning construction debris into items like countertops and tiles. We began collaborating with industry players, including demolition companies and waste management experts, to make a more significant impact. Instead of kilos, we wanted to start upcycling tonnes of demolition waste. We aimed to turn debris into circular materials for larger projects, revolutionizing the industry from within.”
Studio8:
“During the pandemic in Portugal, we began experimenting with circular solutions, transforming construction debris into new materials, which led to the creation of Matterpieces. This hands-on process helped us understand the properties and potential of demolition waste. To make a greater impact, we scaled our efforts from upcycling small amounts to handling tons, developing a comprehensive strategy. Collaboration with experts, demolition firms, waste management companies, and manufacturers was crucial in addressing technical challenges and ensuring high-quality materials.
Our strategy involves demolition, waste separation, treatment, and upcycling, turning waste into valuable materials for architecture and design. By sharing our approach, we aim to inspire others to adopt sustainable, circular practices in the construction industry.”
Studio8:
“Our next step is to expand our strategy internationally, partnering with collaborators in different countries to scale up our efforts in upcycling waste. Our goal is to bring Matterpieces to a global stage, working with new partners to drive sustainable practices and make a larger impact worldwide.”
