2024 - Light Patchwork

Light Patchwork

<1. Site>
Changsin, a neighbourhood in Seoul etched with age, hums with a relentless energy. Weathered buildings huddle close, their shadows swallowed by a bustling street. Here in this bustling street, cramped quarters with small factories, a constant flow of workers coursing through the narrow space. This is Sewing Street, the lifeblood of Changsin’s exhaustive commerce.

The street feels like a tunnel, its sky barely a sliver. Sunlight struggles to reach the ground, replaced by the harsh glare of fluorescent lights. The relentless white light keeps weary eyes open, a constant prod towards efficiency that disregards the natural rhythm of day and night. Time seems to lose its meaning within these walls, replaced by a singular focus on the task at hand. The workers become part of the machinery, absorbed by the relentless hum of the sewing machines.
Inside the street of clothing factories, a symphony of clatter fills the air. Rows of workers, etched with the lines of long hours, bend over their sewing tables. Breaks are snatched between shifts, a stolen moment for rest amidst the cacophony. Yet, their eyes, perpetually fixed downward, yearn for a different kind of light, a respite from the relentless glare. There is no space for peace, where the only sound is the steady rhythm of sewing machines, harsh demands of Sewing Street. Workers need space for intermission.

<2. Re-recognition of Daylight>
Since the invention of lighting, it has flourished our daily life. However, it also has unintentionally distanced us from nature’s light source: the sun. We spend our days in offices and apartments bathed in artificial beams, often high-Kelvin systems that prioritize intensity over warmth. But true comfort doesn’t come from bright white light. We crave spaces that allow us to feel the natural rhythm of daylight, the subtle changes that mark the passage of time.
Our proposal imagines a space that transforms with your movement. As you interact with the environment, light filters in differently, revealing the true essence of natural light. Think of a worm burrowing through soft earth, its body shaping the path as sunlight filters through. Here, it’s the people who dictate the light, not the other way around. By actively engaging with the space, we can rediscover the power of natural illumination and reshape our perception of light itself.

<3. Space description>
In our proposal, there is no restriction on what people do here, there are no rigid seats or fixed tables. Our design encourages freedom. Here, warm light welcomes you to create your own space. Imagine people sprawled on the floor, lost in books, or simply napping peacefully. The space adapts to your needs. A single person can find a cozy nook, while a group can collaborate in a larger area.
The beauty lies in the dynamic interaction. As people move and engage with the environment, they define the space’s ”topography of light.” Light becomes a living element, responding to your presence and shaping itself to your activities.

<4. Fabric wastes as an opportunity>
Large amount of fabric waste is incinerated and landfilled. According to Korean government, 1,239 tons of fabric waste and 2,700 tons of plastic waste is generated per day. While 69% of plastic waste is recycled, only 0.02% of fabric waste is recycled. In other words, The amount of fabric waste is larger than plastic waste produced in Seoul per day.
Instead of ending up in landfills, we see this abundance of fabric waste as an opportunity. Our proposal envisions using these very scraps to create the ceilings and floors of the space. By incorporating recycled fabric into the space’s structure, we can transform this waste into a source of warmth and wellbeing for the workers.

<5. Details and production>
1 Visit the sewing street and collect fabric waste.
2 Weave fabric wastes.
3 Compress fabric wastes into one piece.
4 Cut it into an auxetic pattern.
5 Combine with the pulley structure.
6 Step on, the gravity on the floor lifts the ceiling.
7 Lights come through the gap.