franken fabrics
this project uses the design of a live-work garment factory and design space in eugene, oregon as an armature to present a perspective on the future of urban life and consumerism. the recycled garments bureau is designed to advocate for the stimulation of reintegrated industrial practices in dense urban areas, diverse building programs, improved housing practices, inclusive urban environments, and transparent manufacturing/design practices.
the result of this will be an improved credibility in newage products, allocate analogue professions near life resources, invigorate the spread of craft knowledge, and supply an urban identity for the earthlings of eugene. in this proposal, a series of retrofitted design interventions will explore the impact of a new urban heart for Eugene, Oregon by adapting existing downtown buildings into industrial typologies centered on the making of recycled garments and textiles. this masterplan will be entitled eugene’s fashion district.
thesis: franken fabrics
behaving as the beacon for this series of interventions is the Recycled Fabrics Bureau; a catalytic garment recycling facility, factory, retail space and transition living space (for the homeless) that centers on sorting and generating textiles from existing garments. eugene’s downtown had not relied on industry for its identity, so if the proposed method of revitalization offers it an industrial identity, and furthermore an identity in textiles, it should embody Eugene’s ecofriendly, artisan, alternative and buy-for-life mentality through the production of experimental fashion designs and techniques. the recycled fabrics bureau and Fashion District will intentionally serve the community and question what leads to an inclusive urban core. so, basically, eugene doesn’t quite possess a downtown identity that is rooted in big industry but possess the stature for industrial garment practices as they are malleable to diverse labor crews and spaces as it varies from single sewing rooms in peoples lofts to large scale production.
