A Poetic Cyberquest

This paper sets out the context and rationale that underline my design practice and research work. My research question is to investigate the changing geography of the domestic sphere and within that to challenge the traditional and conventional use of textiles at home. I aim at mapping out new possibilities for textiles to take a leading role in redefining our intimate and emotional relationship with smart homes.

By exploring new technologies, new materials, as well as sustainable values the design work challenges function, aesthetics and cultural perceptions of domestic textiles.

This paper was particularly focused on the research and design methodology that led to the production of the first live interactive “Remote Home”, run in conjunction between the Science Museum in London and the Raumlabor Gallery in Berlin in 2003. It also discusses the nature of the collaboration with the Interactive Institute in Sweden and debates the changing role of the designer within multidisciplinary teams. The paper also establishes a new relationship between urban social-economic trends and the production and consumption of design products. It demonstrates how textiles can enhance the emotional and intuitive relationship to intelligent products by using a poetic and narrative-driven use of smart technologies.

Informed by research into urban demographics, and the changing context of urban dwelling, the paper proposes new possibilities to develop socially interactive textile and product designs for the domestic space.