The concept of a circular economy is central to the work at Parsons Healthy Materials Lab. When goods stay in use for longer we avoid adding to the landfill and increasing the carbon emissions associated with creating new things. Repair allows us to keep goods, materials, and spaces in use for as long as possible. Changing processes and mindsets are necessary to repair our objects, spaces, and systems in the transition to a circular economy. Step one is knowing where to start. If you’re interested in exploring repair at a small scale join us for a hands-on repair workshop based on the ancient art of Boro, a Japanese method of repairing textiles, and discover ways of mending your clothes and expressing creativity through stitching. All you’ll need is a needle and thread, fabric swatches, and a textile that needs to be repaired. No experience necessary.
This hands-on workshop will be led by Catherine Murphy, and assisted by Jess Thies. They are both researchers at HML with backgrounds in textiles.
Learn More www.healthymaterialslab.org
Parsons Healthy Materials Lab is a Design Research Lab at Parsons School of Design focused on putting human and environmental health at the center of every design decision. Repair is the perfect low-carbon response to current environmental concerns by reducing waste and contributing to a circular economy. Parsons Healthy Materials Lab is funded by a grant to build the capacity of the affordable housing sector nationwide, to use healthier building materials in new and existing housing developments. With a dedicated team of design researchers, faculty, and student researchers, we work every day to creatively raise awareness of the impacts materials can have on our lives… and equip designers and architects with knowledge to repair and build healthier places for all people to live.