studio samira boon's 3D textile structures translate origami into digital weaving

archifolds, winner of the creative heroes award, is an innovative series of textile structures based on traditional japanese folding techniques. studio samira boon collaborated with tilburg’s textielLab and prof. t. tachi from the university of tokyo to translate traditional paper-folding into digital weaving techniques.

archifolds y-series 
photo by josefien eikenaar

the textile structures embody samira boon’s vision on healthy environments as spaces that ‘are flexible and dynamic like natural systems,’ the designer mentions, ‘adaptive textiles are able to accommodate and regulate changing needs on spatial circulation, efficient energy usage and acoustic ambience.’ able to incorporate various smart properties to adapt to their surroundings – including light, heat and sound – the computerized textile materialization of origami structures offers a new type of architectural interventions that are extremely flexible in their use and possibilities.

embedded origami patterns afford natural movement characteristics, growth and metamorphosis

the woven structures can be folded and unfolded into different shapes, allowing two identical products to be installed in completely unique manners. they can be reused in different shapes and sizes, installed permanently or temporarily, and can be easily transported or moved. the first archifolds structure was installed at the theaters tilburg where samira boon was commissioned to redesign the interior of the audax room. ‘you can constantly give this object a different look, I always get the feeling as if I’m walking through a visual art work, while at the same time it is a very functional space.’ rob van steen, the director of the theater explains.

installation of archifolds at theaters tilburg, the netherlands
photo by ossip van duivenbode

photo by ossip van duivenbode

archifolds y-series

dome structure xxl: archifolds structures can be used as space creators and screen dividers
photo by rene van der hulst

production in the texielLab, tilburg, the netherlands
photo by josefien eikenaar

inspecting inside the dome where various colours can be created

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: sofia lekka angelopoulou | designboom