TextileRefuge
From fast fashion waste to affordable housing
Fast fashion has led to increased clothing waste, with Europe exporting poor-quality used clothes to developing countries, causing environmental harm, particularly in Ghana’s Chorkor slum. TextileRefuge transforms this issue into a solution by creating Limetex, a building material made from textile waste and lime, tested at Politecnico di Milano. The project provides job opportunities, training, and sustainable housing, promoting a circular economy. TextileRefuge reduces waste, improves living conditions, and demonstrates how an environmental issue can be turned into a development opportunity.
Company/Institution
IED - Istituto Europeo di design
Institute of European Design, Milan – Product Design
The Institute of European Design (IED) in Milan is a premier design school focused on innovation and creativity. Our Product Design program equips students with the skills needed to address real-world challenges through user-centered and sustainable design. With a faculty of industry experts, students gain valuable insights and hands-on experience, preparing them for successful careers in the design field.
Country
Italy
Website
Designer(s)
Carola Castiglione, Mattia Cappiello, Mattia Macciachini & Giacomo Frova
We are four students from diverse backgrounds and fields of study, united by a passion for design and sustainable innovation. With experiences ranging from product design to social design, we have created TextileRefuge, a project that addresses the challenges faced by developing countries through innovative solutions. We believe in the power of design to transform the social and environmental impact of our communities. Our mission is to inspire positive change by creating materials and systems that can respond to the needs of a constantly evolving world.