10. Textile Scaffold

Research

Let's start the week!

I've been waiting for that moment since I first learned about the Fabricademy program. There are so many techniques to explore and master—each one opening up new possibilities for creative expression and innovation. The diversity of methods, from biofabrication to advanced digital manufacturing, is both overwhelming and inspiring. It's a thrilling journey to learn how to combine these techniques and bring new ideas to life in the world of sustainable design and technology.

References & Inspiration

Footwearology
Footwearology is a leading innovation center and academy for footwear professionals, offering online and in-person courses in Barcelona, Spain. Focused on meaningful innovation, the academy equips learners to create sustainable, locally-produced, and technologically advanced footwear. Their flagship programs include 3D printing, knitting, AI-driven design, and sustainability.
Footwear Technology

TEXTILE FORMWORK

Textile Formwork offers a fascinating intersection of design, technology, and material science. It enables the creation of complex, lightweight structures by using fabric as a mold for concrete or other materials, opening up new possibilities for architecture and design. The flexibility and adaptability of textiles allow for highly intricate and organic shapes that would be challenging to achieve using traditional formwork methods. This approach also has sustainability benefits, as it often requires less material, reduces waste, and can result in more efficient construction processes. Additionally, the potential for incorporating textiles with different properties and textures introduces exciting opportunities for creating multifunctional surfaces and innovative forms, pushing the boundaries of both design and engineering

Fabric Formwork with Casting

Inspiration

Explore the fascinating potential of textile formwork and its impact on architectural design in this article by The Architectural League of New York. It delves into innovative concrete techniques and the future of sustainable construction

Concrete Reformed - The Architectural League of New York - Explore the fascinating potential of textile formwork and its impact on architectural design in this article. It delves into innovative concrete techniques and the future of sustainable construction.

Crystalization

Inspiration

Process and workflow

1. Crystalization of candy by using a sugar

Ingredients & Recipes

1. water: 1 cup
2. sugar (2-3 cups)
3. food color
4. wooden skewers
5. binder clips
6. class jars

For the first time

or my first attempt at crystallization, I feel quite disappointed with the results. Despite following the process, the outcome didn’t match my expectations, leaving me questioning where things went wrong. Perhaps it was an issue with the solution's saturation, the environment, or the materials used. While it’s disheartening, I understand that trial and error is part of the learning process, and this experience motivates me to refine my approach and try again.

For the second time

For my second attempt at crystallization, I made some adjustments to the quantities I used, and I’m pleased to say the results were much better. The changes seemed to improve the process significantly, and I was finally able to achieve a satisfying outcome. This experience taught me the importance of experimenting and fine-tuning to get the desired results.

Rock Candy Recipe

Step	Ingredients/Tools	Quantity/Details	Instructions
Prepare the Solution	Sugar	2 cups	Mix sugar and water in a saucepan. Heat on medium, stirring until dissolved.
	Water	1 cup	Allow the solution to simmer for 5–10 minutes to create a supersaturated solution.
Color & Flavor	Food coloring (optional)	A few drops	Remove from heat, cool slightly, and add food coloring or flavoring if desired.
	Flavoring (optional)	1–2 drops	Stir to mix thoroughly.
Prepare the Skewers	Wooden skewers or string	1 per jar	Dip in solution, coat with sugar, and let dry completely to aid crystal formation.
	Clothespins or clips	1 per jar	Use to suspend the skewer/string in the jar.
Set Up the Growth	Jar or glass container	1 per skewer/string	Pour sugar solution into the jar. Ensure the skewer/string doesn’t touch the sides or bottom.
Crystal Growth	Undisturbed location	Cool, stable environment	Leave the setup for 1–7 days. Crystals will form on the skewer/string.
Harvesting	-	-	Remove the skewer/string once crystals reach the desired size. Let dry before eating.

for the second time i followed this instructions shown in this table

Crystalization of crocheted flower Using Sugar as 3rd teste

Step	Materials	Quantity	Instructions
Prepare the Solution	Sugar	2 cups	Dissolve sugar in boiling water. Stir thoroughly until fully dissolved to create a supersaturated solution.
	Boiling water	1 cup	Use enough solution to completely submerge the flower.
Prepare the Flower	Crocheted flower	1 piece	Ensure the flower is clean and free of dust.
	String	1 piece, long enough to suspend the flower	Tie the flower with a string to hang it in the container.
	Stick or skewer	1 piece	Tie the other end of the string to a stick to suspend the flower in the solution.
Submerge the Flower	Heat-resistant container	1	Pour the sugar solution into the container. Suspend the flower so it doesn’t touch the sides or bottom.
Crystal Growth	Undisturbed location	Cool, stable environment	Leave the setup for 24–48 hours. Crystals will form on the flower as the solution cools.
Finishing	-	-	Remove the flower from the solution, let it dry completely, and enjoy the crystallized decoration.

Notes:

• Use clean utensils and a container for best results.
• Add food coloring to the sugar solution for colorful crystals.
• Handle the solution carefully while it’s hot to avoid burns.
• Crystallization works better if the flower has a rough texture for the crystals to adhere to.

Molding by using paper waste

For my leather molding project, I began by designing a mold in the shape of a circle. The circular form was chosen for its simplicity and versatility, allowing me to explore how leather adapts to curved surfaces. I carefully planned the dimensions and ensured the mold provided sufficient depth to achieve a well-defined shape. This process is exciting as it combines precision in mold-making with the organic qualities of leather, offering a unique opportunity to experiment with form and texture. by using solidwork

Inspiration

For this week of Scaffold, I was inspired by the workof Angela Barbour . Her innovative approach to materials and design challenges conventional notions of form and structure, pushing boundaries in ways that resonate deeply with my own exploration of creative possibilities. The way she integrates diverse elements into cohesive, thought-provoking pieces has encouraged me to think more expansively about my own projects and the potential of blending unconventional materials. here you can find her documentationTextile Scaffold – Angela Barbour

In this project, Angela Barbour explored textile scaffolds by experimenting with laser-cut patterns on materials like felt, neoprene, and knit fabric. She created modular and interlocking pieces inspired by natural structures such as honeycombs and cells, allowing the textiles to stretch, fold, and take on 3D forms. The focus was on how geometry and pattern influence the behavior and flexibility of fabrics, highlighting the connection between design, structure, and movement in textiles.

Table Step and Description

Step	Description
1. Collect Paper Waste	Gather paper waste such as old newspapers, cardboard, or office paper.
2. Create Paper Pulp	Tear paper into small pieces, soak in water until soft, and blend into pulp using a blender or mixer.
3. Add Binders	Add natural adhesives (e.ggelatin) and mix in glycerin or linseed oil for flexibility.
4. Form the Material	Spread pulp onto a flat surface or mold, press to remove excess water, and shape as desired.
5. Drying and Curing	Let the material dry thoroughly, pressing again to maintain shape and texture. Treat with oils or waxes for leather-like qualities.
6. Molding	Shape or mold the dried material by hand or using a form.

Process and workflow

After 48 hours, I successfully retrieved my mold made from paper waste. The process was both experimental and exciting, as I was unsure how the material would hold up. However, the mold turned out to be solid and well-formed, showcasing the potential of using paper waste as a sustainable molding material. This step marks an important milestone in my project, as it demonstrates the viability of repurposing waste for functional design

ROUTER CNC

I had the idea to mold the paper into the shape of my bust, driven by a desire to explore how it could capture form and texture. At the same time, I was very curious to test the router, so this project felt like the perfect opportunity to combine both interests. Using the router allowed me to carve out a mold with precision, and working with paper as a material opened up new possibilities for experimenting with structure and surface.

I started making a body using MakeHuman, adjusting the features to fit my concept and preparing the model for further design and fabrication

After making the body in MakeHuman, I continued by preparing the model for CNC milling, aiming to bring the digital form into a physical mold

The material must be securely attached to the base of the machine to prevent it from shifting during the milling process, which could damage the model. It's also important to accurately position the center of the material to ensure precise cutting

PAPER MAKING

I experimented with a formula to work with textile waste, testing different fiber blends to see how they would bond and behave. This allowed me to give new life to discarded materials while exploring the potential of bio-composite textures

Ingredients	Quantity
Paper waste (shredded)	50g
Water	5L
CMC (Carboxymethyl Cellulose)	1/2 tablespoon in 500ml water

Instructions:

1. Shred the paper waste into small pieces and soak it in 5 liters of water for a few hours or overnight.
2. Blend the soaked paper into a smooth pulp using a blender.
3. In a separate container, dissolve 1/2 tablespoon of CMC in 500ml of warm water, stirring until fully dissolved.
4. Combine the paper pulp with the CMC solution and mix well until evenly distributed.
5. Pour the mixture into your mold and let it dry completely.