Date of Award
Spring 6-1-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Architecture (MArch)
Department
Architecture
First Advisor
Malcolm Rio
Second Advisor
Pablo Castillo Luna
Third Advisor
Aaron Tobey
Abstract
Architects frequently specify toxic materials, like fiberglass insulation, for construction projects, materials they would never touch with bare hands, let alone wear as garments. So why incorporate such harmful substances into our buildings? Atelier Interloper, a nimble fabrication studio, intervenes in job sites and manufacturer waste streams, reclaiming industrial materials that are no longer usable at building scale but are suitable for clothing. The premier collection of garments draws inspiration from workwear and is crafted from industrial materials such as Tyvek and 100% recycled denim insulation. In outfitting the body with these materials, this thesis work brings visibility to substances typically concealed within walls, fostering awareness and education on issues of material health, labor, and general well-being. Though not explicitly designed as workwear, these garments utilize materials with inherent performance properties that provide bodily protection and thermal insulation at a personal scale, offering an alternative to dependence on larger built spaces for shelter. This concept gains significance amidst growing concerns over global material usage, waste, and climate instability.
Recommended Citation
Marvel, Isabel Jane, "Atelier Interloper" (2024). Masters Theses. 1202.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/1202
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Included in
Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Environmental Design Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Health Communication Commons, Labor Economics Commons, Other Architecture Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons