Adamant Textile : The reciprocal impact of concrete and textile

Abstract: The primary goal of this study is to investigate the combination of concrete merged with textiles. Furthermore, it investigates exchanging the characteristics of these contrasting materials. Consequently, the work shows the reciprocal influence of both textile and concrete to each other. The resulting final collection presents six pieces with the main intention to present different expressions of flexibility. These appear through the interaction of textile and concrete, with the textile providing the flexibility. Depending on the precise characteristics of the used textiles, the flexibility can be shown through the tension in a fabric, the ability to be squeezed or the movement. A subsequent range of experiments investigates techniques, methods and material qualities to prove, that the required effects of the end result can be fulfilled. The crucial factors are the textile materials, the connection between concrete and textile and the treatment of the resulting surface or object. Depending on which way the crucial components are fused, a variety of expressions in the results can be accomplished. These can be described as rather organic through to geometric, and also depends whether the piece is in motion. The outcomes provide an overview of design possibilities, of incorporating such contrasting materials to create different properties and unexpected characteristics in each piece. Based on the final results, it can be concluded that the major objective, to explore design possibilities through a reciprocal interaction of textile and concrete, gives a strong and impressive expression. The approach of this relatively broad research is nevertheless important for the textile field. Therefore, it suggests further exploration, using the results as a foundation and narrow it down by focusing on specific factors.