Mediating material transitions. A digital library for circular upholstery material selection

In Made in Italy products, the material dimension represents a distinctive element, capable of expressing both the quality of the product and the heritage of craftsmanship embedded in the territory. In the upholstered furniture sector materials generate significant environmental and supply-chain impacts, making their selection a strategic leverage point for sustainability and circularity. This study investigates how a digital material library can support designers and SMEs in navigating this transition by integrating sustainable innovation with industrial feasibility. Grounded in the Advanced Design framework, the research adopts a four-step methodology to analyse the current supply system, identify circular alternatives, review existing material libraries, and develop a dedicated relational database. The resulting prototype organises materials into clusters that combine technical, sensory, circular, and production-related attributes. The digital material library aims to act both as a decision-support tool and as a knowledge infrastructure enabling systemic circular practices in the upholstered furniture sector.