Smart Textiles as actors and actuators of the domestic space

This paper explores this relationship between textile and architecture, arguing for a reconsideration of textiles’ capability to deal with the creation of space. Addressing more specifically the role smart textiles can play in a domestic context, this paper engages with the current state of my research looking at tectonic textiles to develop energy-harvesting & self-actuated textiles for the home. Initially, it exposes the conceptual framework of the research, arguing for a greater convergence of textiles, architectural design and robotics; advocating a more sensible, less-hermetic and more responsive perspective for the domestic environment. In a second time, the focus is given on the Photovoltaic Mashrabiya, first and on-going design experimentation of the research, exploring the design and making of a soft solar-responsive membrane. By questioning how smart textiles can lead to a new understanding of the domestic space and by exploring how they can contribute to the making of a behaving architecture, this paper hope to highlight there is a space for smart textiles to become the actuators of a more sensible and holistic home.