LivingLoom: Investigating Human-Plant Symbiosis Through Integrating Living Plants Into (E-)Textiles
LivingLoom is a design inquiry that proposes a post-anthropocentric approach to fabrication by integrating living plants directly into textiles. Industrial textile fabrication views plants as passive resources. They are grown, harvested, and spun into yarns for textile production, mainly to serve human needs. While efficient, this approach overlooks the intrinsic value of these organisms as living beings. LivingLoom fabrication approach wet-spins biodegradable yarns with seeds that can be further integrated into textiles that can sprout and grow. We present a design space for incorporating microgreen seeds into textiles with a 10-day growth cycle, leveraging care-based fabrication and interaction. We conducted a three-day user study to understand how people wear and care for plant-integrated textiles, revealing new possibilities for living textiles and care-based interactions. LivingLoom examines the intimacy between humans and plants in textile forms, shedding light on the design potential for the care-based fabrication of (e-)textiles.
Publication:
LivingLoom: Investigating Human-Plant Symbiosis Through Integrating Living Plants Into (E-)Textiles
Jingwen Zhu, Samantha Chang, Ruth Zhao, Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao
Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’25)
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Project Credits:
Hybrid Body Lab at Cornell University, directed by Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao
Research Team: Jingwen Zhu (Lead Researcher), Samantha Chang, Ruth Zhao, Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao (Lab Director)
Press Inquiries: Press Image Kit: Download Here (License: CC by-NC-SA 4.0) Press Contact: Prof. Dr. Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao, cindykao@cornell.edu
This project was supported by the National Science Foundation (Grant IIS-2047249), the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability Academic Venture Fund, and the Cornell College of Human Ecology Faculty Sustainability Research Grant.
Care-Based Fabrication
Care-based fabrication redefines the traditional boundaries of the fabrication process, extending it beyond the point where a maker typically considers the artifact "complete." Care-Based Fabrications view maker as care condition curator, wearer as caretaker, and living material as creator.
LivingLoom Fabrication Approach
The LivingLoom fabrication approach integrates seeds into 1D hydrogel yarns, which also function as a growth medium for seeds to germinate and sprout. Then, through textile integration, the yarns are integrated into 2D textiles, which offers water retention and root support to the seed's growth. Through this process, the seeds are prepared with nutrients, growing space, and water to grow. Lastly, through a caring process, the seeds will germinate and grow into 3D plant-integrated textiles.
LivingLoom Design Space
LivingLoom Applications
Touch-sensing hairband to "feel" the plants.
Self-caring hat
Indoor garden throw pillow.
Outdoor activity encouraging sandals.
Rattan woven bag.
Full Garment
Photo by Margaret Tsai, modeled by Andrea Porubcin
Photo by Margaret Tsai, modeled by Andrea Porubcin
Photo by Margaret Tsai, modeled by Andrea Porubcin
Photo by Margaret Tsai, modeled by Andrea Porubcin
Photo by Margaret Tsai, modeled by Andrea Porubcin
Photo by Margaret Tsai, modeled by Andrea Porubcin
Photo by Margaret Tsai
Acknowledgments:
We sincerely thank the user study participants for their care for the plants and the reviewers for their valuable and supportive feedback. Special thanks to Alicia Chu and Andrea Porubcin for modeling, Margaret Tsai and Yingjie Bei for photography, and Lily Winagle for early explorations.