ANIMATION OF IDEA AND POTENTIAL APPLICATION / IMPLEMENTATION

PROPOSAL

Inspired by the way the cockroach responds to environmental factors, we aim to develop textiles that create an infrastructure for temporary shelter. The textiles will serve as protection through mimicking the cockroaches exoskeleton and trachea. Through the creation of knitted units, we are interested in a customizable, modular, and accessible textile that allows for the creation of consumer goods that exist at the intersection of architecture and apparel.

Key Words: Customizable, Accessible, Conscientious (towards production process, the environment, society, consumption, etc)

Ideas: Democratic, Consumption Awareness, Independent, Recyclability, Efficiency v. Sustainability 

Actions: Flexibility, Shared, Public, Modular

BRAINSTORMING AND CONCEPT RESEARCH

SELECTED COCKROACH RESEARCH COMPILATION

SKETCHES

COLOR BOARD

PHYSICAL SAMPLES

*Due to Covid 19, the team lost access to the industrial knitting machine and other facilities at RISD thus, samples were made on peg boards or the manual knitting machine

ABOVE: Research textbook diagram of chitin structure and M1 Plus file of programmed knit

LEFT: Render showcasing a skewed and overlapped rib variation, emulating the arrangement of microfibrils in chitin. The stacked configuration of rotating linear fibers reinforces each layer. The figure on the left mimics this directional arrangement of the fibers with ribbed knits.

Rendered sample inspired by the cockroach’s ability to regulate the opening and closing of its spiracles in different climates. The sample utilizes the spacer structure throughout. However, we want to structurally include a pocket on each layer so that we can insert the heat memory shape alloy. By incorporating the Nitinol, we hope that the textiles can respond to temperature and open and close in warm and cool conditions respectively.

Rendered sample inspired by the tanedia of the trachea tubes and spiracle openings of the respiratory system. The sample is constructed with two single jersey layers, pushed apart by a tucked spacer yarn (red). The two tubes are included for additional strength and better airflow throughout the sample without interference from the spacer yarns. Each tube leads to a series of pointelle openings, which is covered by a double-layered pocket that will protect the holes from direct exposure to the weather.

Rendering inspired by the configuration of the cockroach’s exoskeleton. Each curve represents a single jersey layer connected by a spacer yarn secured to the ground fabric. The top layer provides additional strength in the overlapping areas when compressed like the skeletal plates of the cockroach.

MODULARITY IDEATION

It is our goal to create an environmentally conscious and modular product to reduce excess consumption. Through modularity, we wanted to explore the concept of mass customization. Utilizing sectional modularity, consumers can create a product that best fits their needs while allowing for future iterations.