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Fabric Hewn

Project details

Programme
Research Cluster RC5/6

This project experiments with fabric as a construction material in combination with different binders including recycled plastic bags. Fabric sheets can be fashioned using patterns derived from digital models as a way to generate architectural components. Waste plastics bags and fabric offcuts from the fashion industry can be combined by heating them together in a kiln. By cutting, rolling, and overlapping these heated materials, bound composite blocks are formed with internal grains like that of natural marble. Design and fabrication processes make use of both digital and manual techniques. The internal and external grains of the overall design are modelled using a script that mimics the flow and compression of fibres. Plastic bags rolled together with fabric are hand-applied layer by layer to resemble the digital creation. This project aims to explore the relationship between urban waste and nature by situating itself within an abandoned quarry in Caserta, Italy. Utilising the waste materials from this Italian town, the quarry transforms waste into architectural materials. The project is like an artificial quarry integrated with the original natural quarry. It is an ecovillage with research lab, factory, and residences, calling for environmental awareness.

01

Material Studies

Compressed Fabric Block

Kiln-Fired Composite Blocks

A series of material tests of kiln-fired fabric and plastic composite blocks.

Rolling and Weaving Techniques

Rolling and weaving techniques are tested in a series of material prototypes for kiln-fired fabric and plastic composite blocks.

Material and Technique Studies

The effects of different materials and hand-making techniques are visible in a series of kiln-fired fabric and plastic composite studies.

02

Composite Block Fabrication

Fabrication Process

A diagram illustrating the process of fabric hewn block fabrication.

Colour Differentiation

The differentiation of colours from recycled plastic is visible in the fabric and plastic composite block prototype.

Composite Block

A fabric hewn block with variegated colouration.

Marbling Texture

A series of prototypes display examples of marbling textures in the variegated fabric hewn blocks.

03

Furniture Prototypes

Furniture Applications

Visualisations of furniture prototypes explored with the fabric hewn block tectonic.

Fabric Hewn Blocks

A detail view of aggregated composite blocks.

Fabric Hewn Stool Prototype I

Fabric Hewn Stool Prototype II

04

Architectural Application

Exterior View

Architectural speculations on fabric hewn dwellings.

Interior View

Architectural speculations on fabric hewn dwellings.

Fabric Hewn Quarry

Quarry-Integrated Architecture

Architectural speculations on fabric hewn dwellings.

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The Bartlett
B-Pro & Autumn Shows 2020
27 November – 11 December 2020
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