The workbench is where you can use the collected materials to create new objects to expand your camp. For this, you need building plans from the Knowledge Cube.

If you press the workbench, you can see which knowledge cubes you have already collected.
All objects are divided by culture. At the bottom, you can also see how many objects from a particular culture you have already brought back to life.

The objects that are not yet available are indicated by a knowledge cube icon.