About¶
Hi! I am Germarilis Ruiz a Puerto Rican designer and educator with a passion for preserving historic architecture and exploring sustainable materials. I've studied architecture and tile-making techniques, developed a natural pigment palette, and experimented with digital fabrication.
Later in my career, I became familiar with digital fabrication and prototype development. Since then, I have used digital tools to collaborate with artists, work with biomaterials, and create artworks and objects adapted to the Caribbean climate.
I am excited to be part of Fabricademy because it has been a reference for me since I became interested in the development of biomaterials.
Additionally, the opportunity to exchange ideas with various professionals and receive feedback will enrich my creative process and help me systematize the documentation of materials, a task that is often overlooked.
Visit my website to see other works: BioLayer
My background¶
I have a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and a specialization in digital design, both from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ponce. I completed a Master's degree in Cultural Management and Administration, as well as a minor in design thinking from the University of Puerto Rico.
Previous work¶
For seven years, I have collaborated with visual artists on the creation of large-scale artworks. Over the past six years, I have dedicated myself to supporting the development of student entrepreneurship. As an artist, I have always been interested in the interaction between humans and the urban environment, which led me to present my first solo exhibition in 2014, "In-visibles, In-deseables,In-significantes: Retratos del margen"
In 2020, I began researching biomaterials and exploring how to use organic matter to create artworks that adapted to Puerto Rico's climate. After conducting various home experiments, I developed a recipe book of materials made from organic waste, including bioplastics, biotextiles, bioleather, biothreads, and bioceramics. In April 2023, I had the opportunity to present the first solo exhibition of bioplastics in Puerto Rico, titled "Materia Viva: Exploración de la memoria".
Selected works¶
Orange peel bioplastic,GRG
Eggshells 3d printed lamp shade,GRG
Brain photography and Biomaterials Solo Art Show
Recycled wool bag
The vision for my project¶
I am interested in developing a biomaterial that stores energy and withstands the Caribbean climate, which is characterized by warmth and humidity. I envision a small product, developed in a modular way, like an architectural skin that can be installed at different scales and is easy to transport. Also, I would like to merge functionality with aesthetic elements such as patterns using natural dyes.
References & Inspiration¶
I find inspiration in architect Zaha Hadid Zaha Hadid for the fluidity she achieves in both architectural design and the manufacturing process.
I'm also drawn to the material and furniture design of Nature Squared and Bureau Spectacular Studio.Their work particularly appeals to me because of the way they combine geometric shapes with organic elements.
However, I believe that a textile capable of storing energy has the potential to be used in a wide range of products. This leads me to want to explore the design of clothing and accessories that incorporate parametric design principles and utilize digital fabrication to optimize manufacturing time. I have included a mood board with the references I've identified so far.
Assignments¶
And in week 13 I proposed my final project.
Adding images
there are many way to add an image, most important is that the images are optimised - check out the tip for more info
Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash