Tailored space – Pilot project for 3D knitted remodeling without demolition

Tailored space is a pilot project that utilizes 3D knitting for the transformation and remodeling of spaces, which minimizes or eliminates the need for demolition. Our aim is to create a “proof-of-concept” demonstrating how knitting can be applied within the built environment using existing industrial methods. We will convert an existing space into a new working environment through a series of full-scale knitted prototypes. This Project seeks to address how knitting can help reduce environmental impact in renovation projects, minimize demolition needs, and create new circular material flows. Knitted architecture can also enhance qualities such as form, color, texture, and acoustics.

In previous projects, we have seen significant interest in knitting from a diverse range of stakeholders, including construction contractors, material suppliers, and manufacturers of building components. We have seen a clear demand for specific applications of this technology within construction, which we aim to develop in this pilot project. Among the stakeholders in Knit Link (2023), we identified several recurring challenges to address:

• How can we use existing buildings more flexibly without extensive demolition and remodeling?
• How can we significantly reduce the environmental impact of construction?
• How do we create circular material flows?
• How can we generate aesthetic values, sustainably?
• How can we meet increased demands on the built environment through integrated solutions?

These questions emphasize the need to view buildings as systems, where hard values such as Construction technology and functions like acoustics, are combined with soft values like form, aesthetics, and identity—essentially, architecture.

The project centers around 3D knitting—an industrial technique for creating three-dimensional knitted objects, such as entire garments, without the need for assembly. This allows for the production of large-scale building components and materials, which we have explored in various projects since 2020. Textiles in general, and 3D knitting in particular, are founded on industrial and material principles with great potential to address both current and future challenges in construction.

Currently, 3D knitting is advancing the textile industry in areas of efficiency, smart materials, and improved resource utilization. From the construction perspective, textile materials and production techniques offer several advantages, including high levels of digitalization, rapid development and manufacturing cycles, and low production costs, making them suitable for the built environments.

In Europe, research on knitting and architecture has primarily occurred at the Block Research Group at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and at the Center for IT and Architecture (CITA) at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr. Mariana Popescu at TU Delft, Netherlands, has carried out several large-scale installations, including “CandelaKnit” (2018) in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects and “Common Thread” (2024) in partnership with So-il. Basic research has focused on technology development within the discipline, especially structural composites where textiles interact with steel, concrete, or bio-based materials, along with workflows between 3D software and machinery. However, there is often a lack of commercial and industrial commitments, which is typical of basic research, as development work tends to occur in separate realms of textiles and architecture, with minimal exchange of expertise.

Our project group, named RSKA (Research Studio for Knit and Architecture), combines expertise in architecture and textiles, featuring Our Architectural Office and textile designer Matilda Norberg. The project is conducted in collaboration with Stena Fastigheter Malmö AB. Our investigations reveal a unique position for the project group, fostering a non-hierarchical collaboration between architecture and textiles, with established connections for industrial development and production.

This project enables us to refine our innovative ideas with tangible applications based on the needs of property owners and businesses, facilitating communication with stakeholders in the community-building sector. In this way, we aim to engage more stakeholders and actors to recognize the potential of knitting in the built environment, thereby laying the groundwork for further development.