Dezeen's chief content officer Benedict Hobson spoke to Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin of Formafantasma about their new exhibition Cambio at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery in London in this exclusive talk.

The talk coincided with the opening of the Italian design duo's new exhibition. Titled Cambio, the exhibition examines the use of wood as a material in global industry and the impact it has had on the environment.

The conversation explored the designers' research into the topic, which delves into the history of the wood industry and its supply chains.

Trimarchi and Farresin stated that designers should endeavour to understand the provenance and impact of materials that they use, and should be more transparent about the impact of their work.

The pair spoke about how a lack of communication between institutions, corporations and consumers often prevents meaningful large-scale changes to make the industry more sustainable from taking place, and emphasised the role that designers can play in facilitating better communication.

The duo also mentioned an upcoming masters course which they will be co-ordinating at Design Academy Eindhoven, where the research that went into Cambio will be taught as part of the first semester.

Cambio marks the third design-focussed exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery and is part of a programme of events celebrating the institution's 50th anniversary this year.

Based in Amsterdam, Formafantsma's work often investigates materials through their historical context and impact on the biosphere.

They've previously designed a collection of surface tiles glazed with volcanic ash from Mount Etna and a recyclable exhibition display for the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Dezeen hosts and live streams talks and panel discussions from around the world.

Recent examples include a talk with Lego on childhood and creativity and a talk with London-based design practice Doshi Levien at Stockholm Furniture Fair.