Les Matérialistes

A docufiction film and participatory futurism pilot project on the circular economy of building materials

Les Matérialistes transports us to 2050 to explore the future of the circular economy in construction. Building on the visions of over 25 stakeholders from the Québec and international ecosystems, this short film conjures a practical utopia that is both ambitious and tangible, depicting future professions, the life cycle of materials, upcoming statistics, and actions at all levels.

I worked with Dark Matter Labs and a large network of partners and contributors to realize the highly collaborative project.

Visit the website and view the film »

Themes

creative futuring

Les Matérialistes sourced its content from a participatory futuring workshop. The project uses narrative storytelling, video, motion graphics and 3D modeling to make the future scenario more tangible and engaging.

material reuse

This film shows a future where cultural perceptions have shifted from seeing materials as inert objects to lively allies on their own unique journeys. Their adaptations into new forms are celebrated and considered part of our heritage.

urban systems

An interconnected network of speculative systems and mechanisms are explored, such as a ban on landfills, a tax on new materials, legal rights for nature, a public registry for tracking materials and components, and more.

Practices

Art

Design

Supported web design and built the website with Webflow

Research

Researched and visually presented promising ideas for a circular transition in construction

Writing

Wrote and collaboratively iterated the film script

Facilitation

Designed and facilitated a participatory futurism workshop