4Habitats is the coalescence of Kolon Corporation’s vision to establish its global identity and Suh Architects’ awe of its kaleidoscopic range of industrially-produced materials. Known domestically as Korea’s main outdoor gear brand since 1954, few consumers are aware Kolon Corporation is an industrial force whose flexible fibers supply large sectors of the fashion, automotive, digital media, and military industries with their base materials. Its raw and highly engineered materials offer physical protection against climate and contamination, while enabling and innovating lifestyles.
The innovation begins with PET plastic chips. We toured factory production lines and were awed by the beauty and range of fibers, films, and textiles rolling out. We decided to create space from Kolon’s materials themselves in their raw, massive state. We also shed our assumptions about plastics. Everywhere and nowhere, plastics offer utility, endurance, affordability, convenience. After two years of research, we decided to tell one story at a time. Spunbond was our material of choice. Printed off the roll and hung, 160 layers of Spunbond create 4 ‘habitats’ of repeated human profiles that evolve and transform, one person at a time.
Each explores the range of selves we inhabit as solitary and social beings. These habitats are transportable and reconfigurable, designed to adapt to its host venue.
4Habitats is the coalescence of Kolon Corporation’s vision to establish its global identity and Suh Architects’ awe of its kaleidoscopic range of industrially-produced materials. Known domestically as Korea’s main outdoor gear brand since 1954, few consumers are aware Kolon Corporation is an industrial force whose flexible fibers supply large sectors of the fashion, automotive, digital media, and military industries with their base materials. Its raw and highly engineered materials offer physical protection against climate and contamination, while enabling and innovating lifestyles.
The innovation begins with PET plastic chips. We toured factory production lines and were awed by the beauty and range of fibers, films, and textiles rolling out. We decided to create space from Kolon’s materials themselves in their raw, massive state. We also shed our assumptions about plastics. Everywhere and nowhere, plastics offer utility, endurance, affordability, convenience. After two years of research, we decided to tell one story at a time. Spunbond was our material of choice. Printed off the roll and hung, 160 layers of Spunbond create 4 ‘habitats’ of repeated human profiles that evolve and transform, one person at a time.
Each explores the range of selves we inhabit as solitary and social beings. These habitats are transportable and reconfigurable, designed to adapt to its host venue.