Date of Submission
Spring 5-9-2023
Degree Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Architecture
Department
Architecture
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Ameen Farooq
Abstract
Every year, the average American generates over 80 pounds of textile waste. Since the 1990s, consumer behavior has shifted as mass production of items has become the norm. Production of clothing alone already impacts the environment as it requires immense amounts of chemicals, energy, water, and other natural resources. So, when consumers throw away clothing and brands decide to discard overproduced items, it ends up in landfills where it takes over 200+ years to decompose. Furthermore, a large percentage of unwanted clothing will be sent off to third-world countries to try to resale or recycle. Yet, the amount being imported is so immense that they cannot process it all, leading to landfilling on their land. The U.S. alone generates an estimated 92 million tons of textile waste each year- around 2,150 pieces per second.
This thesis investigates the pollution produced by textile waste and develops an architectural solution that as a basis will redesign the current fashion house by incorporating sustainable techniques created through the use of textiles. An architectural solution that would start to question the actions of both consumers and fashion brands themselves. The goal is to achieve a design that not only provides a solution to the problem but also serves as a precedent for a more sustainable cycle in the textile and construction industry.
Included in
Environmental Design Commons, Fashion Design Commons, Fiber, Textile, and Weaving Arts Commons