{"id":4497,"date":"2025-10-24T11:30:42","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T11:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/good-practice\/architectural-yarns\/"},"modified":"2026-09-10T12:31:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T12:31:20","slug":"architectural-yarns","status":"publish","type":"goodpractice-projekt","link":"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/en\/good-practice\/architectural-yarns\/","title":{"rendered":"Architectural Yarns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"vimeo-embed-placeholder\" data-vimeo-id=\"1217616661\">\n                    <div class=\"vimeo-embed-placeholder-content\">\n                        <p>To play this video, you must agree to the use of Vimeo cookies.<\/p>\n                        <button class=\"cookies-consent-settings-button cookies-consent-button\" aria-label=\"Manage cookie settings for the Vimeo video 1217616661\">Manage Settings<\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u00a9 Matters of Activity \/ Jasmin Sermonet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Potential Impacts \u2013 What Makes This Project an Example of Good Practice?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The potential impacts of <em>Architectural Yarns were analyzed <\/em>on March 26, 2026, using the Map\/ing Sustainability method by an interdisciplinary group consisting of geographers, sustainability researchers, architects, designers, and design researchers, as well as experts in wood research and communication. Christiane Sauer, who leads the project, <em>presented <\/em>two aspects of <em>Architectural Yarns <\/em>: first <em>, <\/em>the <em>Design Research Studios, a <\/em> <em> <\/em>A teaching format in which researchers and students collaborate on experiments, and an intercultural exhibition with partners from Burkina Faso.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"gp-diagramm-block_e7691b0a3a58710b9b1b002b2cd4e4a1\" class=\"block-gp-diagramm\" style=\"container-type: inline-size;\">\n    <div class=\"gp-diagramm-grid\">\n        <figure class=\"gp-diagramm-content-figure\">\n            <div class=\"gp-diagramm-content\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/themes\/transformnrw-theme\/graphics\/Mapping-Sustainability_Grafik_250923.webp\" alt=\"Graphical model of the &quot;Map\/ing Sustainability&quot; method featuring concentric circles and selected SDG icons. It illustrates the Map\/ing Sustainability analytical approach, which visualizes potential sustainability impacts using the interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The concentric circles represent the causal chains of impact resulting from a good practice project: Input, Activities, Outputs, Outcomes, and Impacts. The diagram relies on the Wuppertal Institute&#039;s three-tier model as a framework: individual SDGs are mapped to these tiers, highlighting that sustainability impacts are not viewed in isolation, but through their interdependencies across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The graphic serves as a reference model for the collaborative analysis of products, business models, infrastructures, performances, or works of art.\" style=\"width:100%; height:100%;\" \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/themes\/transformnrw-theme\/graphics\/Mapping-Sustainability_Grafik_250923_EN.svg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"width:100%; height:100%;\" \/>\n                <div class=\"gp-diagramm-slideshow\" style=\"position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:100%; height:100%; pointer-events:none;\">\n                                                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gp-slide\"\n                                src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Arch.-Yarns-1-1.svg\"\n                                alt=\"\"\n                                style=\"position:absolute; width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:contain; display:block;\" \/>\n                                                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gp-slide\"\n                                src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Arch.-Yarns-2-1.svg\"\n                                alt=\"\"\n                                style=\"position:absolute; width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:contain; display:none;\" \/>\n                                                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gp-slide\"\n                                src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Arch.-Yarns-3-1.svg\"\n                                alt=\"\"\n                                style=\"position:absolute; width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:contain; display:none;\" \/>\n                                                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gp-slide\"\n                                src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Arch.-Yarns-4-1.svg\"\n                                alt=\"\"\n                                style=\"position:absolute; width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:contain; display:none;\" \/>\n                                                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gp-slide\"\n                                src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Arch.-Yarns-5-1.svg\"\n                                alt=\"\"\n                                style=\"position:absolute; width:100%; height:100%; object-fit:contain; display:none;\" \/>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <button type=\"button\" class=\"gp-diagramm-zoom-button\" aria-label=\"Enlarge graphic\"><\/button>\n\n                <div class=\"gp-diagramm-overlay\" id=\"gp-diagramm-block_e7691b0a3a58710b9b1b002b2cd4e4a1-overlay\" role=\"dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"gp-diagramm-block_e7691b0a3a58710b9b1b002b2cd4e4a1-overlay-title\" hidden>\n                    <div class=\"gp-diagramm-overlay__inner\">\n                        <span id=\"gp-diagramm-block_e7691b0a3a58710b9b1b002b2cd4e4a1-overlay-title\" class=\"screen-reader-text\">Enlarge graphic<\/span>\n                        <button type=\"button\" class=\"gp-diagramm-overlay__close\" aria-label=\"Close overlay\"><\/button>\n                        <div class=\"gp-diagramm-overlay__viewport\" aria-label=\"Zoomable graphic\">\n                                                        <div class=\"gp-diagramm-image-map\" data-src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/themes\/transformnrw-theme\/graphics\/Mapping-Sustainability_Grafik_250923.webp\" data-mid-src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/themes\/transformnrw-theme\/graphics\/Mapping-Sustainability_Grafik_250923_EN.svg\" data-overlay-src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Arch.-Yarns-5-1.svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Diagram (enlargeable)\"><\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"gp-diagramm-overlay__controls\" aria-label=\"Zoom control\">\n                            <button type=\"button\" class=\"gp-zoom-in\" aria-label=\"Enlarge\">+<\/button>\n                            <button type=\"button\" class=\"gp-zoom-out\" aria-label=\"Minimize\">\u2212<\/button>\n                            <button type=\"button\" class=\"gp-zoom-reset\" aria-label=\"Reset\">\u27f2<\/button>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <figcaption class=\"gp-figcaption\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/en\/methode\/map-ing-sustainability\/\">Map\/ing Sustainability<\/a>: Analysis of the impact potential of the project with regard to the SDGs            <\/figcaption>\n        <\/figure>\n        <!-- Die Slideshow-Logik wurde nach src\/js\/div\/div.js ausgelagert und wird in src\/index.js in der Single-Project-View initialisiert. -->\n\n        <figure class=\"d3-netzwerk-mini-wrapper\">\n            <div class=\"d3-netzwerk-mini\" data-svg-alt=\"Graphical three-level model with three stacked, color-highlighted ovals. Bottom: natural resources; middle: provisioning systems; top: well-being. The levels are connected by double arrows; within each level, the corresponding icons of selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are shown.\">\n                <a class=\"gp-diagramm-mini-fullscreen-button\" href=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/en\/sdg-model\/?id=4497\" aria-label=\"Open in the SDG model\"><\/a>\n            <\/div>\n            <figcaption class=\"gp-figcaption\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/en\/sdg-model\/?id=4497\">SDG Model<\/a>: Categorization of the identified sustainability goals into three levels: Natural Resources, Provisioning Systems, and Well-being            <\/figcaption>\n        <\/figure>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Well-being<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The collaborative creation of yarn structures in workshops with people of different age groups and cultural backgrounds was described as a way to foster a sense of identity and as a low-threshold entry point for shaping one\u2019s own built environment (SDG 4, 10). The participants identified self-efficacy as a central aspect, which arises from the ease of working with the yarns in these workshops, and, in the long term, also in the design of one\u2019s own living space (SDG 4). This is achieved because the yarns, with their varying diameters, have a built-in knitting pattern that allows even people without prior knowledge to work with them independently. The collaborative creation of yarn structures in workshops with people of different age groups and cultural backgrounds was described as a source of identity and as a low-threshold entry point for shaping one\u2019s own built environment (SDG 4, 10).   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, the project promotes intercultural exchange on an equal footing: Through cooperation with partners in Burkina Faso, a knowledge exchange took place in which the researchers drew inspiration from traditional weaving techniques and the cocoon-building methods used for wild silk, and in turn shared the new knowledge they had generated. The importance of humility in this process was emphasized, as many so-called innovations, from the perspective of the Global North, are in fact traditional knowledge from other cultures (SDG 17). <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Building with non-toxic flax fibers can improve the indoor climate in open-plan offices, reduce noise, and thus contribute to better health in various ways (SDG 3). On an urban scale, an experiment conducted as part of the project demonstrated the potential of <em>Architectural Yarns for <\/em>a healthy urban environment: Yarns filled with soil and seeds could enable cooling green facades, which in turn could help cool urban spaces (SDG 3; see also SDG 11 on Provisioning Systems and SDG 13 on natural resources). <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Provisioning Systems  <\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Architectural Yarns<\/em> can contribute to the circular economy by highlighting potential uses for flax and hemp tow and keeping this byproduct of linen production\u2014which is also native to Germany\u2014within the material cycle (SDG 12). Based on the principle of a \u201cgiant knitting dolly,\u201d yarns made from any other recycled materials could also be used. This would reduce dependence on global supply chains in construction processes and thus also offer an economic advantage (SDGs 8, 9).    <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, the concept of <em>soft architecture<\/em> has the potential to fundamentally challenge conventional architecture by offering an alternative to the usual \u201chard\u201d construction methods and promoting renovation of existing buildings. For example, \u201cempty-nest\u201d homes\u2014that is, family homes from which the adult children have moved out\u2014could be independently rezoned by their residents and repurposed in a sustainable manner (SDG 11). <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Close interdisciplinary collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Biomaterials enables insights into fiber properties and materials that go beyond a purely architectural understanding and complement it with considerations regarding fire resistance, interior architecture, and furniture design (SDG 17).<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1362\" src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn2-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A flexible, net-like installation made of intertwined yarns as part of the &quot;Architectural Yarns&quot; project in a room. The textile structure consists of interconnected fibers. \" class=\"wp-image-1362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn2-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn2-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn2-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn2-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn2-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn2-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u00a9 Matters of Activity \/ Jasmin Sermonet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1364\" src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn3-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A person is working on an installation made of thick, fabric-like tubular elements, weaving them together into a net-like mesh.\" class=\"wp-image-1364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn3-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn3-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn3-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn3-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn3-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn3-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u00a9 Matters of Activity \/ Jasmin Sermonet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Natural Resources<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since regionally grown, fast-growing fiber crops such as flax and hemp can sequester<sub>CO2<\/sub> and improve soil quality, their use in the highly resource-intensive construction industry could make a positive contribution to climate protection and Life on Land (SDGs 13 and 15).  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If seeds are also added to the yarns, this could give rise to a living architecture: The root systems of the growing plants would firmly interweave the individual layers of fabric, making them even more stable. This form of \u201cbiological construction\u201d could replace conventional, emission-intensive building materials while also contributing to climate adaptation in cities (SDG 13; see also Provisioning Systems, SDG 11). It was noted during the discussion that a reduction in greenhouse gases would also have an indirect positive effect on the world\u2019s oceans and their ecosystems (SDG 14).  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"1366\" src=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn4-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/transform.nrw\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Architectural-Yarn4-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u00a9 Matters of Activity \/ Jasmin Sermonet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Matters of Activity is a research project at Humboldt University in Berlin that explores new materials and their cultural and design contexts. As part of the WEtransFORM exhibition at the Bundeskunsthalle, the works *Architectural Yarns* and *Structural Textiles* were on display. These works combine natural materials with textile knitting and joining techniques on an architectural scale to create flexible building elements. These could be particularly useful in the renovation of existing buildings.  ","protected":false},"featured_media":2600,"template":"","wirkmittel":[],"sdg":[49,44,39,45,50,51,53,40,46,185,47],"projekttag":[196,187,193,186,194,192,188,195],"class_list":["post-4497","goodpractice-projekt","type-goodpractice-projekt","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","sdg-climate-action","sdg-decent-work-and-economic-growth","sdg-good-health-and-well-being","sdg-industry-innovation-and-infrastructure","sdg-life-below-water","sdg-life-on-land","sdg-partnerships-for-the-goals","sdg-quality-education","sdg-reduced-inequalities","sdg-sustainable-consumption-and-production","sdg-sustainable-cities-and-communities","projekttag-building-and-living","projekttag-circular-economy","projekttag-crafts","projekttag-design","projekttag-intercultural-dialogue","projekttag-material","projekttag-materials-and-technology","projekttag-research-and-science"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/goodpractice-projekt\/4497","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/goodpractice-projekt"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/goodpractice-projekt"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/goodpractice-projekt\/4497\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2600"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4497"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"wirkmittel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wirkmittel?post=4497"},{"taxonomy":"sdg","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sdg?post=4497"},{"taxonomy":"projekttag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transform.nrw\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/projekttag?post=4497"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}