Hybrid Apparel

As the semester draws to a near, I am planning on finishing my thesis and getting out of the academic realm for a while. For a last hoorah, I have chosen the most abstract vector across my interests: SPATIAL CLOTHING. During the past three months, ground rules were laid out and logical decisions were made as to which areas of apparel and architecture would be hybridized.

Transient dwellers are an increasing demographic. The global environment and changing economic conditions begin to outline a style of living that requires concern for space, functionality, mobility and efficiency. Designs addressing transient dwellings/dwellers are too often focused on the homeless or impoverished living in the residual spaces of cities. 

Since transience requires efficiency of space and mobility, I propose that a functional hybrid between apparel and architecture will look to raise issues experienced by this growing population. The explicit product of the thesis will be to design and fabricate a suite of garments and accessories that serve to clothe – house – protect – identify the transient population and the needs of such a lifestyle.

Since an urban context contains other programs for washing, exercising, eating, and social interactions architecture does not require a fully inclusive living space. The architecture will programmatically parallel the requirements of a bedroom space. 

So long story short, I have been working through a series of full scale prototypes of a sweater<>hammock transformative garment. The piece serves as the bed of a transient dweller. I was proposing a more complete line of clothing with each garment performing a vital clothing and architectural role of these users, however that aspiration has quickly been narrowed.