Editor's Note
This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “Changing How Building Materials Are Chosen: The “, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
The construction sector is said to account for approximately 40% of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions (※). On the other hand, at design and construction sites, it is not uncommon for materials temporarily installed for inspection or ordered in excess to be discarded as-is.
In response to this structural waste, a platform has emerged that seeks to fundamentally reconsider "how materials are chosen." On January 28, 2026, NewNormDesign Co., Ltd. (NND) announced "matinno," a sustainable material SaaS (Software as a Service) platform that provides end-to-end support for the environmental assessment, search, matching, and project management of building materials.
matinno is a platform designed to connect diverse players involved in the construction value chain, including material manufacturers, architects, designers, construction companies, and recycling operators.
Architects, designers, and construction professionals can easily search for sustainable materials, as well as track surplus materials generated during manufacturing or on construction sites and reassign them to new projects. This leads to a reduction in surplus materials and contributes to the realization of a decarbonized society through CO2 reduction. Furthermore, by utilizing the project management features, data necessary for sustainability assessments can be obtained with a single click.
matinno has accumulated practical, on-site insights through multiple real-world projects involving various companies that make up the construction value chain, such as general contractors, design firms, renovation companies, event companies, and material manufacturers. These verification results are continuously reflected in the improvement and expansion of the matinno platform, strengthening the value provided to users by directly connecting to their practical work.
These efforts have been recognized, leading to selection by the "Mitsui & Co. Co-Creation Fund" promoted by Mitsui & Co., Ltd. The platform has also been working on the social implementation of equipment and material reuse for short-term events and construction projects.
Regarding the official launch, Farah Tarayeh, an architect and CEO of NewNormDesign, stated:
“The selection of building materials is the starting point that shapes the social structure of the future. ‘matinno’ evaluates building materials from the perspectives of sustainability and durability, manages them for each project, and provides a system for reusing and recycling these materials. It promotes co-creation beyond industry boundaries and supports a society where sustainable choices become the norm.”
The platform is offered as a SaaS model, a key feature being the significant reduction in initial equipment investment and implementation lead time. Pricing adopts a subscription model calculated based on project scale. To commemorate the launch, a two-week free trial of all features is being offered to all users.
If the criteria for selecting materials change, the nature of construction itself will change. matinno may become the new infrastructure for embedding a circular economy as a systemic practice within the construction industry.
※ Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024/2025
Source: Read the original article | Published: January 28, 2026