|Digital Matter

|TexTILE

Transforming textiles to TILES

|Team

 Martín Andrés Gómez Martínez, Oscar Alberto Cortes – Landa, Brian Paul Woodtli Bahena, Gianmarco Paglierani 

|Faculty

Areti Markopoulou, David Andres Leon, Nikol Kirova

|Project year

2021-22

TexTILE is a project that addresses a critical environmental concern: globally, an estimated 92 million tonnes of textile waste is generated annually, with the fashion industry alone responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. This research specifically focuses on discarded polyester garments and explores innovative methods to upcycle this material into a versatile architectural skin. The objective of this study is to not only achieve superior material performance for architectural building skins but also revolutionize traditional construction practices by showcasing the untapped potential of polyester waste as a sustainable design material.

By repurposing polyester waste, this research challenges traditional construction materials, highlighting the remarkable potential of discarded textiles 

The initial step involves categorizing and labeling garments according to their fabrication methods, such as melting, shredding, or cutting. Subsequently, the polyester derived from these garments undergoes a transformation into three distinct architectural layers, carefully assembled to suit the specific requirements of a building’s primary skin.

Using polyester in various forms, the module is crafted, with additional materials like adhesives and fasteners aiding in its assembly. Laser cutting ensures precision for the inner layer, while insulation is provided by shredded polyester-based shirts. Melted polyester, created through a heat press and oven, forms a waterproof outer layer. For structural integrity, a cassette system made of polyester incorporates wood dowels and steel cables, ensuring stability through interlocking and tension. This system is meticulously designed for effective sealing and seamless integration with electrical components. The outcome is a versatile and durable building module crafted through an intricate and detailed process.

Tested Samples
Tested Samples
Assembly detail
Assembly detail
Layering and Aggregation
Layering and Aggregation
Facade Assembly

The module is constructed using polyester in different forms for its layers. Additional materials like adhesives and fasteners are used for assembly. The inner layer is cut with a laser for precision. Shredded polyester-based shirts provide insulation, while melted polyester creates a waterproof outer layer through a heat press and oven. The structural layer, a polyester-based cassette system, ensures stability and strength. This system incorporates wood dowels and steel cables for interlocking and tension. It’s designed with features for effective sealing and coordination with electrical components. This meticulous process results in a versatile and robust building module.

TexTILE takes the material and uses it in three different processes, where melting its fibers is still not fully solved. During the research, a series of experiments were conducted, using different tools, machines, and infrastructure to achieve a final “recipe” to create the melted tiles. Even though the final result shows a clear result, the research needs further development in order to reduce the brittleness of the material and to avoid the cracking and bending when cooling down.

Details
Details
Tile and Application
Tile and Application
Prototypes tiles
Prototypes tiles

texTILE is a system that makes the most of polyester as an architectural material. The variety and uncertainty of color results is completely related to the collection process, so it creates a workflow and management system from garment to architecture, which opens an interesting discussion on architecture and its material source.  On the other hand, texTILE takes the material and uses it in three different processes, where melting its fibers is still not fully solved. During the research, a series of experiments were conducted, using different tools, machines, and infrastructure to achieve a final “recipe” to create the melted tiles. Even though the final result shows a clear result, the research needs further development in order to reduce the brittleness of the material and to avoid the cracking and bending when cooling down.  Overall, texTILE is a project that questions traditional materials for construction and deepens into recycling systems, extending the lifespan of waste polyester. It transforms waste into architectural components and contributes to the discussion on upcycling materials for a more sustainable architecture design.

Visualisation with components