Adriana Feuerberg

Conventional walls and traditional materials constrain the choreography of the body within space. The challenge of this thesis is to rethink the “wall’s” configuration and design an element that is more malleable, one that allows a better performance of the body inside the built environment.The relationship between skeleton, skin and body brings together disciplines such as architecture, interior design, and fashion to give a new meaning to the architectural envelope that creates the interior space. For more than a century, humans have been using cladding materials that don’t necessarily jibe with the human anatomy. This thesis intends to innovate with a new typology for architectural cladding systems and break with pre-established conceptions of walls being constructed with hard materials such as brick or drywall.The challenge is to address the fine edge between hard and soft and the transition of materials from one state to another. As part of the material explorations, Neoprene swatches were manipulated with a series of additive coats like clay, plaster and latex paint. The altered fabric samples were then draped, pleated and stitched to achieve interesting and malleable shapes.Traditionally, textiles have been only used for furnishing and decorative accessories. This thesis is an example of how these materials can replace the traditional architectural substrates. Soft surface materials have the capability to resurface as tactile expressions of the architectural forms, softening hard edges and soothing the rupture between built environments and the human body.