AWARD YEAR
2021
CATEGORY
Body
GOALS
Responsible Consumption & Production, Climate Action
KEYWORDS
futurefootwear, sustainablesneaker, circularmaterials, wastematerials, additivemanufacturing
COUNTRY
Germany
DESIGNED BY
Emilie Burfeind
WEBSITE
https://emil-blau.com/projects/sneature.html
Sneature - waste based footwear
Sneature is a waste-based, biodegradable sneaker providing a sustainable alternative for footwear.
Sneature is a sustainable design approach of a sneaker. In order to approach the problem and conceptualise a solution, a fundamental factor for the ecological properties of every product - the material was examined. The design is based on a material study in which various raw and waste materials were tested for textile processing (yarn, knit, felt) and the further implementation in a trainer. Based on this practical research, a biological material cycle was developed, in which the materials and production methods are integrated. The final prototype consists of a 3D-knitted membrane made of dog hair (chiengora), a transition area made of natural rubber and a sole made of mushroom mycelium. The integration of the 3D knitting technology enables both individualization and on-demand production with the lowest possible energy consumption. After use, Sneature is biodegradable and can be returned as nutrients to the natural material cycle.