Girli Concrete

Lafarge and the Ecobuild challenge

2012-01-17T15:24:00.000-08:00

TF has been invited by Lafarge to contribute to their 'Cool Concrete' Pavilion at Ecobuild in March 2012.

TF will be cladding the main 6m high tower element of the pavilion in... well that's a secret ... for now.
Needless to say it will be a lusciously, tactile response to a hard-headed, technical challenge.

'Ecobuild is the world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and the UK's largest construction event of any kind'

Follow the blog to watch how process develops.....

Thanks to those at Lafarge for spotting our work and giving us this excellent challenge!

(We are also in process of updating our website - should be ready by early February)

Youtube Video of TF in Iceberg

2012-01-10T14:54:00.000-08:00

Visit Youtube video of TF in Des Ewing's Iceberg House. Garuda Design as Interior Designers

beautiful surface patterns : ref

2011-12-24T01:33:00.000-08:00

thanks Aoife for beautiful visual refs- something to keep in mind for 2012!

Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi

Christmas study trip

2011-12-23T04:04:00.001-08:00

Amidst the bleak mid winter TFers make an early Noel trip to a nearby manger- A fabric formed concrete roof of exquisite manmade/ natural beauty.
Built 1948 and still going strong, though one question remains- was it reinforced?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our visitors!

xmas party video

2011-12-13T02:05:00.000-08:00

short video of early stages of xmas party/ sale in TF workshop.

CHRISTMAS 2011 IN CONCRETE

2011-12-02T05:05:00.001-08:00

All in the area of the Tactility Factory manger are welcome to come in out of the cold on the 9th and 10th Dec and sample some mulled wine and concrete - this is not the launch of a yet another new hybrid product but rather a simply way to celebrate the end of a hard but successful year for TF whilst casting your eye over some tempting gifts for christmas

Product Innovation Award at the SLEEP event

2011-11-25T14:25:00.001-08:00

TF was awarded 3rd prize in the product innovation award at the SLEEP event in London over the last 2 days.
Being 3rd to large companies like Grohe and Bette is not so bad when one considers their resources.

Commission

2011-11-18T03:14:00.001-08:00

Just completed at the start of November a small commission of orange velvet 'broken stripe' panels for James Street South Bar and Grill, Belfast.

Product Innovation Awards

2011-11-16T04:44:00.000-08:00

Tactility Factory have been shortlisted for the Product Innovation Award at The Sleep Event, the leading hotel design and architecture show. We will be there with some of our latest work next Wednesday and Thursday, 23rd and 24th November. If you're in London it would be great to see you! You can register for free here

catch-up on TF

2011-10-23T02:52:00.000-07:00

We have had our heads down the last few months - doing a few commissions and moving towards scaling up. Being all part-time means something has to fall by the wayside and unfortunately it was the blog - BUT here are some images from an installation we recently completed in Iceburg - no connection to the Titanic - (we think!) though we often think these surfaces would look good in a reconceptualised Titanic - lightweight, high tech surfaces but with an antique, luxury feel. What you see here is velvet ('ghost' colour- handdyed) embedded in a concrete surface. (Read earlier in the blog to find out how long it has taken to get the technology resolved!)

interesting video from ductal - looks familar in many ways - except the gender oh and the lack of tactility

2011-10-22T09:15:00.000-07:00

Liquid Wall Prototype for Innovate:Integrate Exhibition from arbuckle industries on Vimeo.

panels on display

2011-09-15T09:17:00.001-07:00

'brushstroke' - concrete and velvet panel

'distressed veronese' - concrete and velvet panel

'stitched cloud' - linen, stitch and concrete panel

link to TF website

2011-08-17T14:25:00.001-07:00

in collaboration...

2011-08-12T01:58:00.000-07:00

Over the coming months Tactility Factory will collaborate with Garuda Design on some panelling for Iceberg Development in association with Des Ewing

crystal concrete

2011-08-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

Some early pictures of R&D on Crystals and Concrete - one photograph with flash shows the stunning night-time glimmer

TF on Facebook

2011-08-03T02:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Alice - we now have a better presence on the web in Facebook.
so either go into Facebook and search for us (tactility factory) or this LINK should take you directly there

Have fun

CIIF Video

2011-07-06T15:50:00.001-07:00

Creative Industries Innovation Fund Video on TF

Shortlisted for RIBA president's award for research

2011-06-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

TF / girli concrete have been shortlisted in the RIBA president's award for research, in the category: RIBA President's Award for Outstanding University-located Research.

It's great to be shortlisted- very motivational for all of us involved whether architects or otherwise. The final outcome will be announced in December.

Reference

2011-05-06T15:06:00.001-07:00

Schinkel's tented room in Charlottenberg, Berlin would be interesting to reconstruct in linen stripped concrete.

tactility factory for VW

2011-05-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

Brigitte Stepputis, Head of Coutour at Vivienne Westwood, commissioned TF to produce 2 panels (linen concrete- 1m x 1m) for Trajector Art Fair, Brussels.
Trajector Art Fair is an initiative by Hotel Bloom! and Centrifugal Projects that took place on 30 April & 1 May 2011, coinciding and collaborating with Art Brussels.

Girli concrete in A'level exam paper

2011-03-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

Girli concrete has been referenced in an A'level Art and Design Stimulus paper. Gosh! - so we can expect some more traffic to the blog!
but seriously - it's interesting to think that future artists and designers will think of girli concrete as a normal part of their material landscape.
Probably more of a legacy than we ever imagined.

'Linen and Concrete' is the new 'Vinegar and Chips'

2011-03-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

Ruth speaks at TED X Belfast on learning from Tactility factory
'creativity and critique sit side by side on the periodic table of creative practice'

'linen and concrete is the new vinegar and chips'

'TF surfaces - 'designed and well made in Belfast''

Runners up in Homes and Gardens Design Awards

2011-03-18T11:33:00.000-07:00

Trish and Ruth of TF were runners-up in this year's 2011 Homes and Garden's Designer Awards in the Fabric, Flooring and Wallpaper Category.
http://www.homesandgardens.com/

TF surfaces at Watts of Westminster

2011-03-16T03:45:00.000-07:00

One of TF's large panel surfaces is on display this week in Watts London Showroom in
Design Centre Chelsea Harbour London SW10 0XE.

The ‘veronese’ velvet concrete panel is the result of a collaboration with Watts and Co - one of the most remarkable survivals of the Gothic Revival of the nineteenth century: a firm founded in 1874 by three leading late-Victorian church architects, George Frederick Bodley Thomas Garner and George Gilbert Scott , the Younger, to produce furniture and textiles in a style distinctly their own.

‘Veronese’ c – 1850 the textile used as inspiration for the velvet concrete wall panel was originally designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1 March 1812 – 14 September 1852) an English architect, designer, design theorist. The document would originally been a woven cut velvet and possibly altered to be produced as a stamped velvet, the stamped velvet roller in existence in the Watts showroom was last used in 1978 to stamp the velvet walling for the Front State Room at the Wallace Collection, Manchester Sq. London

some new images of concrete/ velvet surfaces

2011-03-09T14:41:00.000-08:00

These images show 'Veronese' Panels - the surface is concrete (light gray) and a distressed midnight blue velvet - a very theatrical mix! but best experienced up close for the sheen and softness of the velvet

Citations

2011-03-01T07:23:00.000-08:00

Tactility factory will feature in forthcoming publication: Design Futures by Bradley Quinn in section Mega Materials, Design Futures published by Merrell (25 Mar 2011)
Trish's collaboration with Helen Storey on the Wonderland Project also features in the publication.

Tactility Factory also features in 'Concrete, A studio Design Guide' by Michael Stacey, published by RIBA publishing (p63)

concrete dress in the press

2011-02-28T01:22:00.001-08:00

For information about the concrete dress manufactured by Tactility Factory see the following BBC Link

green concrete

2011-02-07T09:42:00.000-08:00

For info on carbon negative cement see following link

TF to feature at Innovation Future Zone at Ecobuild

2011-01-25T15:31:00.000-08:00

The Technology Strategy Board, Modern Built Environment KTN and EPSRC are joining forces to bring their Innovation future zone competition back to Ecobuild for a second year. The Zone will showcase shortlisted entries of new or near-to-market technologies relevant to the priority areas of energy efficiency, refurbishment, climate change adaptation and process efficiency, and the winning entry will be announced on the final day of Ecobuild.
TF is shortlisted and some samples will be on display.

Tactility Factory featured on BBC NI

2011-01-25T15:26:00.000-08:00

Our folded concrete frieze for Derry Playhouse was featured in the last few minutes of the programme 'The Shirt Factory Horn' broadcast on 24th January 2011 at 10.45pm on BBC1 NI
follow the link

New Portfolio

2011-01-21T01:03:00.001-08:00

Find the new portfolio at ********

TF portfolio

2011-01-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

TF portfolio of work is in production - once it's fully complete it will be downloadable through website / blog

Blogged in Russian

2010-12-30T11:57:00.000-08:00

Girli concrete blogspot features on Russian floor grinding website
Greetings to those in russia who are interested in what we do at tactility factory - - please feel free to visit the tactility factory website

surfaces nominated for 2011 Homes & Gardens Designer Awards

2010-11-29T13:40:00.000-08:00

Tactility Factory Surfaces have been nominated for 2011 Homes and Gardens Designer Awards- in the section:Fabrics, Flooring & Wallpaper Category.
Results will be announced March 2011 at an Awards Presentation evening at the British Museum. Watch this space

images

2010-11-22T07:31:00.001-08:00

concrete dress

2010-11-16T14:46:00.000-08:00

As part of the EPSRC funded Project Extreme Collaboration, (PI Prof Tony Ryan from University of Sheffield) Tactility Factory worked with Helen Storey, Professor of Fashion and Science, Co Director Centre for Fashion/Science at London College of fashion to create a flexible TiO2 Dress- called 'Herself' , modeled by Erin O'Connor, to demonstrate the concept that clothes can purify the urban air. To date the Dress has been on public display in the public realm of Sheffield. Further updates to come possible March 2011 before full publicity released - watch this space

textiled interior?

2010-09-29T04:33:00.000-07:00

link to interesting ge-textiled interior

Exhibition and Archive in Workshop

2010-08-28T06:25:00.000-07:00

Tactility Factory opened its doors for 1.5days to show an archive of work 'drifting clouds' and latest samples - as part of August Craft Month.

It's interesting to see how far the project has come in the last 5 years - I suppose it would have to, however given that it's all part-time and pretty much self motivated it's really surprising how the quality of the surfaces has improved - much to do with much more sophisticated technology both in the make-up of the concrete and the design and manufacture of the textiles - However .... we have also left some really beautiful ideas behind as we have had to focus on limiting and perfecting certain technologies... one such idea was in one of the first ever blog posts ... flocked pebble-dash

Conference: ENMESHED

2010-08-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

ENMESHED: ARCHITECTURE AND TEXTILES IN CONTEMPORARY DESIGN PRACTICE
September 24-25, Konstfack/University College of Art, Crafts and Design, Stockholm

Enmeshed: Architecture and Textiles in Contemporary Design Practice, is a multidisciplinary conference exploring the relationship between textiles and textile technology and contemporary architecture and design. Practitioners from textile design, architecture, and interior design, as well as related historians and theoreticians will converge to present perspectives on this topic with the goal of expanding our understanding of the connections between architecture and textiles.

Speakers include Petra Blaisse (director, Inside/Outside, Amsterdam, Patricia Gruits (Kennedy & Violich, Boston), Sylvie Krüger (author, Textile Architecture, 2009), Ulrika Mårtensson, Architect and Textile Designer (Stockholm), Mette Ramsgard Thomsen (CITA/Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts School of Architecture, Copenhagen), David Serero (Serero Architectes, Paris), Rachel Wingfield (Loop.pH and Textile Futures Research Group, UK), and Susan Yelavich (Parsons, New York).

Enmeshed is a collaboration between CuratorLab and the Department of Design, Crafts and Textile Art at Konstfack, and is supported by grants from Nordic Culture Point and the Estrid Ericson Stiftelse.

enmeshedkonstfack.blogspot.com

Tactility Factory on show in Kilkenny Arts Festival

2010-08-09T02:06:00.000-07:00

Very interesting and enjoyable opening to Embracing Technology Exhibition in Kilkenny Arts Festival on Saturday 7th August. Kilkenny was buzzing and the event launched through the Craft Council of Ireland and the National Craft Gallery was excellently managed. Well done to Angela, the curator. It's a really excellent event to promote new forms of and technological advances in craft.
Tactility Factory showed two large pieces (both over 2.5m high)- one dark blue 'midnight' velvet and one linen with gold stitch.

It was also lovely to be exhibited alongside 'we like soup' - you can see their work in the foreground of one of the images

Tactility Factory on show in Kilkenny Arts Festival

2010-08-01T09:29:00.000-07:00

Some of the large scale panels will be in the Exhibition:
Embracing Technology
From Sat 7th Aug - Wed 20th Oct in The National Craft Gallery as part of Kilkenny Arts Festival 6th - 15th August 2010. For more news visit their website

The curator Angela Kelly talks about the exhibition on youtube

A Statement about the Exhibition says:

Embracing Technology showcases the work of makers who are pushing boundaries of their craft through inventive use of materials and technology.The artist’s cutting edge designs are transformed through the use of technology and eclectic mix of materials into innovative dynamic forms which challenge our perceptions and offer new directions for craft.Makers are based in Ireland and the UK.

As a footnote to the video/ exhibition we understand ourselves as craft at some moments and as technology at others. It is the problem of making technology beautiful I suppose.

Soft Concrete: Turning the Oxymoron into a Reality Two women from Ireland integrate fabric into the surface of concrete

2010-07-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

See Sarah Tate's report in concrete network website on the work we are doing.

Good to know that people are interested.
We are always happy to answer questions / queries through the tactility factory website

Also see brief report on bdonline

Imagine this in concrete

2010-05-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

to learn more about this mega-doily rugs go to www.ladiesandgentlemenstudio.com

Girli Concrete panels from Tactility Factory exhibited in Rhode Island, USA and Kilkenny, Ireland

2010-05-14T02:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a thoughtful invite from the Colleen Brogan, Curator, some of TF's panels will be on show as part of an exhibition: "Fabric Futures" in Firehouse 13 in Providence Rhode Island.

Firehouse no13 is dedicated to "sheltering exciting, innovative and contemporary creative works.It is a Forward thinking urban project appealing to experimental artists and creative innovators and Colleen's Exhibition is thematically organized around artworks and artists that deal with the intersection of digital culture, technological innovation, and textiles.

The show Fabric Futures runs from May 17th - 31st 2010

So if you are over in the area go and have a look at the 'real thing' - we would welcome your feedback.

We will also be exhibited in Kilkenny Arts Festival, in Ireland this year, between 3rd Aug and 20th October. But this is at early stages since we are intent on making some large panels to exhibit. We will post more details when we have them.

why we might do TF- making the world that little bit better

2010-04-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

see following link to RSA talk - think this has also been on TED

RSA Animate – Drive

new collaboration with hand weaver

2010-04-09T01:39:00.000-07:00

We have begun to work with a young innovative Irish hand-weaver: Judith Cassidy, using her knowledge of yarn and its properties to produce more focused weaves for use in concrete. It's an exciting collaboration which we will show results of as we move through the process.

After being made redundant from the textile industry just over a year ago, Judith's talent was acknowledged in her selection by Craft NI for the 'making -it' programme to support young craft makers to set up their own business. To see her work visit her website

Tactility Factory surfaces have been launched on Materia's 'Material Explorer'.

2010-03-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

Tactility Factory surfaces have been launched on Materia's 'Material Explorer'.

The Dutch Company Materia acts as a knowledge centre for developments and innovations in materials, and their applications for architecture and design. Their website - the materials explorer is a global resources of innovative materials from all over the world.

They aim to 'build together with creative professionals on a new vision for the future: Materialize the future!'

so to see TF products visit their website

latest samples

2010-03-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

Some new closeup images of surface samples. From top down: velvet small petal, solar stitch, knitty stitch, duo petal, bubblewrap. Our standard sizes are 15 x15cm, 15 x30cm, 30 x30cm, 45 x45cm - but we can and have also made larger size surfaces to suit different locations. Tactility Factory Website will be updated soon with latest information - this is all in the pipeline.

SURFACE SHOW

2010-02-19T07:55:00.001-08:00

Back from London SURFACE Design Show.
It was a small stand and the first trade show but the interest was high and we had lots of conversations with people about the potential of the surfaces. Thanks to anyone who came to speak to us.
some images of the stand in action:

TF at SURFACE DESIGN SHOW

2010-02-05T12:59:00.000-08:00

Tactility Factory will be at the SURFACE DESIGN between 16th and 18th February
we are launching new product range in the Inspiration Centre. Visit us if you are around in London!

Inspiration Centre at the Surface Design Show 2010
How can nanotechnology protect surfaces?
How can textiles and concrete 'make hard surfaces soft'?
What is colour changing glass?
Answers to these and more questions can be found on the Inspiration Centre at The Surface Design Show. A dedicated area where companies new to the show will inspire you with their design ideas and cutting edge innovations.

For more information visit www.surfacedesignshow.com

Be the first to see, touch and feel
some of the latest and most vibrant products from around the world!

Influences

2009-12-30T09:15:00.000-08:00

in turn Fisac seems to have influenced the /P_Wall/ by matsysdesign (Andrew Kudless) in San Francisco. The early images show it weathered and inhabited, though it looks 'installed'- nevertheless very beautiful

2009-12-30T08:59:00.000-08:00

Miguel Fisac
this might be the latest influence in terms of innovative use of concrete

TF premises!

2009-12-29T05:32:00.000-08:00

In the lull of Christmas there is time to post up some images of our new premises - up until Oct 09 we worked in the corner of a university room but with the funding we gained though several sources in Sept we were able to afford to rent a space for a year to see how far this 4 year project will now run.

We are still buying equipment and setting up the space for production- that includes setting up new phones and wifi, ordering waste disposal (still not complete), buying 2nd hand shelving and having work surfaces made, setting up method to communicate with those who work on the project (since we are not always there on the same days) - and at the same time we are trialling new designs, making new mould formats and working on fixing and finishes.

Nothing seems to be going easily at the moment but we go to SURFACE design show in London in February so there is quite a bit to focus on before then. We have taken an innovation stand (ie small and cheap) at SURFACE and hope to use the few days there for market research and working out where potential customers are located. We have some ideas but the trade show will give us more credible information. - at least that's the theory!

If you want to visit us at the show - just email us at info@tactilityfactory.com and we will make sure there is cake and concrete set aside for you.

logo

2009-12-29T05:29:00.000-08:00

working on our logo in concrete - stitched / linen concrete

25K Award!

2009-09-29T04:35:00.000-07:00

We were shortlisted for the final of the 25K award 'the next big idea' (gala dinner held on 24th Sept 09) and were greatly surprised to hear Tactility Factory called out on Thursday evening as being the overall winners!
What a surprise!
Especially when the other finalists were so impressive. We are sure it was a tough call for the judges but we are grateful for the interest and belief shown in the product.

We will be moving into new premises mid October and bringing on new staff to help develop the products to the next stage.

It all lies ahead.......

25K award

2009-09-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

Tactility Factory is one of the finalists for the 25 K award
the final outcome will be announced on the 24th Sept 09

after that we settle down to do some prototypes by Jan 10
-NO MORE BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITIONS!

FUNDING ANNOUCEMENT

2009-08-24T23:16:00.000-07:00

Tactility Factory has just heard that our application to Creative Industries Innovation Fund was successful.
This means that the summer lull is officially over and the job of finding premises and people begins!

cement goes green

2009-08-20T06:44:00.001-07:00

It has always been a sticking point for us - we like to think / practice 'green-ness' in our lives but at the same time we work with concrete .....

We have justified it, as the concrete society does, - that in a period of global warming more mass in our buildings / cities is needed (read 'concrete' for 'mass') in order to cope with the extreme fluctuations in temperatures. So we see our beautiful surfaces as making the best of this.
But then we heard the recent news (6th August 09) from Novacem who are developing the new generation of green cement systems that 'will help combat global warming by locking atmospheric CO₂ into construction materials.'
which means we can feel less guilty and start to think more rigorously about the other elements of our production.

Stitched Concrete wins RDS prize

2009-07-31T15:21:00.000-07:00

We have had a quiet summer putting together funding bids and completing business plans (not something we enjoy but needs must) and of course gathering our thoughts.
Stitched concrete was entered into the RDS National Crafts Competition and in the meantime won the multimedia section and is one of the winners of the purchase prize.
The sample will travel with the exhibition to the following irish venues
Birr Theatre and Arts Centre , Birr, Co. Offaly, September 14 - 26, 2009
Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, October 5 - 26, 2009
Sirius Arts Centre , Cobh, Co. Cork, November 2 - 23, 2009
National Crafts & Design Fair , RDS, Dublin, December 2 - 6, 2009

We hope to know shortly whether we can develop the project further or not - thoughtful times

New Website

2009-04-16T05:46:00.000-07:00

Our New Website is now active - a few pages are still being worked on but its worth sharing even at this stage
see www.tactilityfactory.com

new images

2009-03-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since we posted some news. This is either the lull before the storm or the beginning of a longer lull .... who knows - we didn't think we would have made such a body of work 3.5 years ago so its difficult to predict where the 'project' might go.
We hope to build a proper website in the coming month (don't worry this blog will go on ) so we thought it was time to have some images taken of some of the latest surfaces- good images by a professional photographer.

press coverage

2009-03-09T02:35:00.000-07:00

The exhibition 'Fabrication' led to an interview on Good Morning Ulster on 5th March 2009 and coverage on the BBC NI news website at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/7926037.stm

images of exhibition opening: FABRICATION at PLACE, 19th Feb 09

2009-02-20T11:56:00.000-08:00

Craft and Design Collective Annual Exhibition

2009-02-14T08:43:00.000-08:00

Recent work by Tactility Factory has been selected for BELFAST, Craft and Design Collective's Annual Exhibition 2009. Click images for opening details

Girli concrete installed (in someone's life)

2009-02-13T03:35:00.000-08:00

Images of Girli Concrete panels (45 x 45cm) installed in elegant NI home!
Thanks to Vine for her vision, great taste (naturally!) and excellent choice of background wall colour and to her kitchen designer for successfully incorporating panels into recessed area in dining area.

Girli concrete installed

2009-02-13T03:28:00.000-08:00

First images of Girli Concrete panels (45x45cm) installed, rather beautifully into someone else's life. Thanks to our client (VH) for her vision, good taste and excellent choice of background colour and to her kitchen designer for incorporating 5 panels into a recessed surface.

FABRICATION Exhibition (click on invite for details)

2009-02-12T03:27:00.000-08:00

Exhibition of recent work by Tactility Factory at PLACE. The Architecture and Built Environment Centre for Northern Ireland, located in Belfst. (see also PLACE Blog, PLACE Website). Click on Image above to see details of dates, opening etc.
The exhibition will include frieze from Derry Playhouse (first public showing) and recent stitched concrete and linen concrete samples.

Studio Day

2009-01-29T14:09:00.001-08:00

The samples that made it through the sifting process

A full studio day where all that has been made in the last few years is laid out on the floor, sorted, categorised, grouped, re-grouped, sifted. Some thrown out, some so 'awful' that they have to be kept for the archive, others too fragile or flawed to preserve. But it's exciting to reflect on how terrible girli concrete once was- rough materials, poor quality mixes, low skill, naive attempts at textiles yet many of those initial pieces still inspire, and hold ideas about techniques and technology yet to be explored. And then looking at the newer samples - even though we thought we had focused on two technologies there is still so much diversity and sub categories/ sub themes that we can also explore and develop on.

As they age the samples just look better - unlike us. Concrete, it seems, is a cruel mirror!

Where next?

2009-01-25T05:37:00.000-08:00

With some commissions under our belt where next? Derry will be installed at the end of Feb 09

We have investors ready to go and our own funds from the BIG IDEA and we have had a lot of interest recently (without having to pursue it) but we are still waiting on forms to be filled and processes to be processed. If all that progresses we will then need a new space to relocate to.
It seems that bringing an idea to development from within a university context has many many advantages but the disadvantage of going at a pace we don't ever seem to be able to determine.

This coming week we will move onto a little more R& D, and a studio day when all that we have done to date is laid out for selection for an exhibition 'Fabricated' in late February at PLACE (NI's architecture centre)

HRH, Princess Royal in Tactility Factory workshop

2009-01-19T07:13:00.001-08:00

Some images of HRH visiting the Tactility Factory (girli concrete) workshop in Westminster Academy. At the end of her visit she is presented with a girli concrete plaque from WISE. One of her staff carries the plaque out of the building.

in royal receipt

2009-01-15T01:49:00.000-08:00

We completed our commission for WISE (women into science, Engineering and Construction) before Christmas and the final piece was presented to HRH the Princess Royal at the WISE Celebration of Construction Event at Westminster Academy on Tuesday 13th January 2009. All the partners of the event also received a copy of the piece. (click to see WISE selection process)

Tactility Factory also ran some Girli 'Plaster of Paris' workshops with some of the students from the school in the Textile Room with Muriel their textile teacher. Lovely group of creative individuals and great fun.

coming up to christmas...

2008-12-08T13:06:00.001-08:00

lots to do - completed one private commission, just finishing a very special commission for WISE (women into science, engineering and construction) and of course Derry Playhouse project is almost complete. There has been lots of learning this last 2 months.
We will have to have an end of year report... perhaps!

on display in hongkong

2008-11-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

Girli Concrete was shortlisted for Outstanding Product Innovation and Commercialization Award at the 86th Textile Institute World Conference: 'Fashion and Textiles: heading towards New horizons' 18-21 Nov 2008, Hong Kong.

WOW!

2008-11-19T11:48:00.000-08:00

Quite unbelievably Girli Concrete in the form of Tactility Factory (TF is the 'mother ship' to Girli Concrete) won the final of the Big Idea Competition - sponsored by Invest NI, Go for It Campaign and Advantage. Proposals from the 6 shortlisted university finalists were judged by Invest NI staff in Mumbai, Dubai, Beijing, Boston and Belfast, awarding Tactility Factory £15,000 in prize money.
The images show the eurovision style of live marking that occurred during the afternoon and a distant shot of Myleen Class who together with Arleen Foster awarded the prize.
It may sound naff and very unacademic - but it was just amazing!
Tactility Factory (girli concrete) is for once speechless though certainly not quiet!!!!!!

many thanks to those who helped out during the process. We received mentoring from Professor Ed Marram of Babson College in Boston, and locally, from Simon Bridge, Holywood

stiched linen and concrete

2008-11-11T12:39:00.000-08:00

time flying 2

2008-11-11T12:16:00.000-08:00

In the last month things seem to have turned a corner. We completed a private commission, resolved the mold for Derry and gained another prestigious commission (not large but a significant client).

Working with Wilma and Emma on the stitching has been great- things have really evolved (see image of digital stitcher in next entry. And we (Tactility Factory) won through to the final of the Big Idea Competition- this brings us some additional funding which will of course be put to good use.

But it's the Derry project that fills the days - the mold has been very complicated - in its unused form it resembles a 3-D puzzle but once complete it becomes sarcophagus-like. The fabrics have become more sophisticated and the resultant surfaces more tactile. However the exciting element is that there is still room for development (alternative types of stitch and yarn, twists in the weaves ...) and of course our ambitions increase with each release of the mold - thanks in no part to those who work with us (mainly maurice naturally!)

see entry below for older images and entry above for newer

time flying

2008-11-11T11:52:00.000-08:00

prototype for Derry

2008-10-17T02:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a significant day for girli concrete.
We brought the prototype folded form (1.8m long) to Derry, picking up the railing system on the way up, in Draperstown. Maurice had specified a bespoke system of rails and angles for the panels.
On site, at the playhouse, we installed the piece (in reality the piece will be installed onto the surface of the rubble stone wall, not the plaster ie it will be recessed) - We wanted to test how easily it would be to fix the panels (physically) and how well they would hold. It passed all the tests and in fact it really convinced us that the folds are necessary to exaggerate the play of light on the surface and draw out and enhance the tactility of the surface - the photos unfortunately are not good quality - had to use phone.

(The panel in the images is not how it will look (see 'stitch for Derry' entry below) - this is just a prototype to test mold, installation etc )

We do need to make some refinements to the molds to make sure the edge details are just right but the problems all seem, at this stage, to be resolvable.

It was also very motivational to be able to imagine more vividly how the four panels will fill the space. - the scale of the finished piece, running the entire length of the wall (7.5 m) will be quite something!

Stitch (for Derry)

2008-10-13T23:08:00.000-07:00

We are working with a new stitch technician (Hi Wilma!) for the Derry Playhouse panels- so the techniques are developing fast and some look quite extraordinary. It's difficult sometimes to remember that this is concrete.
(The first image only looks blurred because of the multiples stitch lines)

Yesterday.....

2008-10-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

..was the first day's trial with the exquisite new mold for Derry Playhouse - made by Edward and designed by Maurice from an initial sketch by girli concrete. The sketch was the easiest part of the process yet, ironically, took the longest time to generate - what does that say about the 'ditheriness' of the design process .
The mold arrived looking like an Egyptian cask and as the day progressed the process of 'burying' the delicate textiles beneath layer upon layer of concrete became in some small way 'significant'. We made a final wrapping of the cask in bubble wrap, turned off the light and left it to cure overnight when it wall all rather 'unceremoniously' stripped - (one sign that the process of releasing the 'reusable' mold wasn't quite resolved yet)
There are definitely some areas to resolve - but the upper surface of textiles was exactly as it should be.
Without Maurice it's unlikely that this would have got this far.

Girli Concrete on show

2008-10-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

The opening event of the URBAN BUZZ exhibition at the Building Centre, London that features some sample panels (on the blue podium at the front!) happened on the 7th Oct - the exhibition will run to the 15th November 2008
If you are in London go along and see/ touch

It would be good if Building Centre had a webcam so we could see it from Belfast

Girli Concrete will also soon feature at the Design Exhibition at the Industrial Fabrics Association International Expo 2008, 21st - 23rd Oct 08, This is 8,000 registered participants
The Design exhibition is billed as " IFAI's premier event displaying a far-out contemporary collection of the very latest in advanced textile designs"- curated by Prof Marie O'Mahony

latest flyer

2008-10-08T14:06:00.000-07:00

flyer that captures the animation - see below

Big Idea Competition

2008-10-06T14:16:00.000-07:00

Girli Concrete entered (at very last moment) the Big Idea competition:

The Big Idea, supported by Invest Northern Ireland, is a national competition to find and fund innovative young people like you.

and girli concrete is through to the final 6

It's an interesting competition since it also looks for ideas from primary Schools , Secondary Schools and FE colleges as well as Universities. Which certainly supports our beliefs on creativity ie it's not necessarily located in the places or the people one expects

At this stage the finalists are awarded £5,000 towards international travel to promote their big idea. Obviously our Big Idea only really works in countries where blue skies are the norm and wellies not the footwear of necessity!

but seriously..it's a great opportunity to see what people beyond Belfast and London think to the concept, execution and application of girli concrete.

update

2008-10-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

The Gendersite event (see entries for Friday, September 12 2008 and 2008 and

Thursday, August 21, 2008) on Thursday October 2nd held at Queen Mary University of London was a great experience for girli concrete. It's the first time in such a context - not an art gallery or a formal staged exhibition. Instead we had a stand and a table and were able to explain the concept of girli concrete to people as they came past. There was a steady range of diverse people viewing girli concrete all day and the feedback was terrific. Being honest it was great to get such positive and direct feedback after the last few weeks.... it was a good form of fuel and brought with it some discussions about future work. --

felt (as backdrop) and concrete panels are good partners

100% Design

2008-09-22T01:04:00.000-07:00

Trish was invited to talk about Girli Concrete Project at the 100% Materials Stand at 100% Design on Friday 19th Sept. Lots of other interesting new materials on the stand and girli concrete will now be in their database for future reference.

IFAI exhibition

2008-09-17T12:14:00.000-07:00

Just in last stages of completing 'the little, flat-pack, tactile house' for the Design Exhibition at the IFAI Expo 2008 curated by Marie O’Mahony, October 21-23, 2008, Charlotte, N.C. USA.

Building upon the popular success of the 2005 Advanced Fabrics Exhibition, the Design Exhibition 2008 continues the focus of showcasing far-out, exciting applications created by distinctive architects and designers. The 2008 exhibition features state-of-the-art textile designs incorporating high-tech, emerging materials and innovative design concepts focusing on space, mobile, built, personal and natural environments.

During the exhibition, you’ll journey into a dimension where design converges with high-tech and emerging textile materials creating stunning architecture, artistic influences and innovative design prototypes. Forty national and international designers from around the world show their latest work with advanced textiles, sustainable solutions, green design, and their related products. The exhibitors use many of the materials produced by suppliers exhibiting during IFAI Expo 2008 trade show.

Marie O’Mahony, the exhibition director, states, “IFAI has always represented the most advanced developments in the textiles industry and this exhibition continues the progression. The Design Exhibition 2008 will again showcase some of the most exciting and innovative designs in architecture, natural environments, for sport, medical, and for personal protection.”

Girli Concrete on show

2008-09-12T06:11:00.000-07:00

Girli Concrete is going to be on show at the Building Centre in London from the 6th Oct for 6weeks as part of a exhibition called Showcase run by Urban Buzz from University College London.

UrbanBuzz: Building Sustainable Communities is a 2 year programme in University College London that aims to develop new ways of delivering sustainable forms of development and community in London. They are a partner on the Gendersite Project which has Girli Concrete as one of their case studies - hence the link.

But it's a good link.. since The Building Centre is located in central London and is a key resource for the architecture and construction sectors which it serves directly through product galleries, information and education services.

The UrbanBuzz Launch Party is on 07/10/08: If anyone goes along - please let us know what you think, since we sadly can't make the launch

For more details:
http://www.urbanbuzz.org/scommunities/UBEvents.do?id=81

BUT PRIOR TO THIS.....

Girli Concrete will also be on show at the launch of the Gendersite Online Database, Thursday October 2nd at the Octagon, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Campus

As part of this event there will be a Keynote speech by Ruth Reed, President Elect of the Royal Institute of British Architects (She will be the first female president ever of the RIBA!!) • Opportunity to try out Gendersite, and ask questions on gender and built environment issues • Stalls showcasing work by built environment and equalities organisations • Exhibition of work by women architects • Guided tours of the local area • Judging of the SAFE art competition • Evening reception and networking •

So its a busy time at present - keeping the work for Derry Playhouse going at a good pace and finishing off panels for an exhibition in US in October. We will post up latest samples in a bit.

samples and freize

2008-09-01T23:40:00.000-07:00

working on samples for a commission and laying out the 45x45cm slabs to give us the impression and scale of the 7.5m long freize to be completed. (Frieze itself will be made up of longer elements but 45's give us an idea of overall scale)
Karson Tong (local architect) made some little models to capture the folds of the frieze - in themselves they have a beauty - this lies in part with their 'dinky' scale and delicacy so when scaled up and in made in concrete they will have to rely another source of appeal!

Case Study

2008-08-29T03:39:00.000-07:00

We overlooked giving the link to the Gendersite Case Study on Girli Concrete - click on case study.

concrete petals

2008-08-25T12:58:00.001-07:00

Sometimes things are planned, most often they just occur. We may focus on one thing but often it's 'the other' that is more interesting - sometimes it takes a change of light or a re-positioning of view to see the potential in... (in this instance) a sample panel ....Above are some new images of unexpected outcomes for you to see.

Also

Just checking who is looking at the blog and find that we are listed on the Intute website

- Intute: Arts and Humanities is a free online service providing access to the most useful web resources for research and education, selected and evaluated by a network of subject specialists. Intute: Arts and Humanities is featured on the AHRC ICT Map

And linked to a US blog: Art In Stitches, Day to day journal of fiber artist Susan Lenz
Susan's site is stuffed fill of textile activity - goodness she is busy!

Gendersite: definitive online resource for gender and the built environment

2008-08-21T08:26:00.001-07:00

This new online resource will be launched on 2nd Oct 2008 at the Octagon, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Campus.

Gendersite provides a route to all the information needed to gain a better understanding of gender issues in the built environment. The site lists books, bibliographies, broadcasts, conference papers, journals, reports, unpublished PhDs and more.

Girli Concrete is featured in the Database and will (we hope) be exhibiting at its launch in October.

In the meantime we have quite a few projects to carry on with at present - currently starting to cast a small girli concrete house for an exhibition in US- images of which will be posted in a few days time.

new samples

2008-08-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

here are some of the latest concrete/textile samples - some of these are ongoing trials for Derry Playhouse Commission - we think the gold lifts the imagery and adds a necessary theatrical effect- remember this linen is embedded in the concrete - you don't always sense from the images that these are hard 45cmx45cm concrete panels with a tactile surface (with exception of the third image which is a closeup). Look at earlier experiments in the blog to remind yourself where this has evolved from.
As for the 'embroidered concrete' - this is another version where the textile is partially visible - not always the case in some of the earlier samples.

girli concrete animation for tactility factory

2008-07-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

With a little bit of money and FRANK's help we now have an animation to capture the 'touch' factor of girli concrete. First shown at the Oxford Conference, July 08 - but intended for an exhibition later in the year- more of that later.

snails and hares

2008-06-12T11:23:00.000-07:00

Over the last few months the technology of girli concrete (and hence the aesthetic) has move on considerably. We are down to three refined techniques that ensure textile and the concrete are integrated. At times development moves so slowly that you can't see it - but then a sudden burst of activity and overnight all the ingredients come together and the project shifts. Whilst it would be nice to think that play and a 'sense of fun' are what propel creative projects forward, it's more often than not the dreaded deadline that brings about frenetic activity- so the commission for Derry Playhouse has been intruemtnal in this latest development....though we still do have a little fun - see latest images of gorgeous girli concrete above and ALSO the first draft of storyboard for a small animation to explain the concept of 'tactility and the city' to the uninitiated- courtesy of FRANK.

embroidered concrete

2008-06-02T01:30:00.000-07:00

We have been trying out a range of new methods (with 'tricky' technology) for girli concrete which is why we haven't put any information on the blog for a while - also we have been caught up in business plans and funding applications! - BUT - the joy is in when the concrete samples start to look as good as these. Many thanks to Emma McClintock for helping us to bring stitch into the project - it looks likely that the 7m long frieze for Derry will now incorporate some 'embroidered concrete'.

Also girli concrete was given an award recently for innovation from the university of ulster for 'acoustic concrete' project (work with Professor Jian Kang at the University of Sheffield)

Gender and Built Environment resource database

2008-04-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

Girli Concrete has been asked to be a case study for the Gender and Built Environment resource database to be based at www.gendersite.org (not yet public). This is the second part of the Gender and Built Environment project, a collaborative project between Women’s Design Service and Queen Mary University of London. This project is funded by the UrbanBuzz programme supporting knowledge transfer to deliver sustainable communities.

Busy week

2008-03-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week for girli concrete.

A week of meetings
1. Lighting specialists, Zumtobel (Graham ) to thin how we can best light the frieze in Derry Playhouse
2. Ulster Folk and Transport Museum (Valerie) to look through archive for textiles that might support the concept of coat and shirt for Derry Playhouse - a great resource!
3. UUTech to talk about next steps in making girli concrete a company

and a week of concrete lab work
- producing latest samples integrating final weaves that have evolved from AHRC 'woven concrete' project - photos later

magazine feature

2008-03-12T02:33:00.000-07:00

Girli Concrete recently featured in Spring 08 Issue of Living Design: Architect designed homes in Northern Ireland

concrete references

2008-03-12T02:10:00.000-07:00

Concrete is certainly the material of the moment - for another recent innovation (solid poetry) see below :

"Landscapes change when the weather changes, the light becomes different and the whole atmosphere changes. Rain makes everything beautiful, I can smell the surroundings. All materials seem to alter.

Solid Poetry is a concrete tile that reacts on water. It's a symbiosis between concrete and water. As the water flows onto the concrete tile, images or patterns will appear. We try to explore the possibilities for hidden design appearing as the environment changes. We applied techniques to an enduring and solid material, so that natural processes reveal patterns. Rain uncovers decoration on a city square. The possible applications of solid poetry are various: either at home in the bathroom, in the garden or public spaces like bus stops or pavements. All forms of solid poetry have in common that they change the whole setting; they are surprising and have a life of their own. With time the tiles change, usage leaves it traces and the patterns will be permanently visible. Design by:Susanne Happle & Frederik Molenschot"
(thanks to Ryan for ref)

also

"Fredrikson Stallard are presenting Cavern, a roomscape of furniture, lighting and accessories for Swarovski Crystal Palace in Milan next month. The collection includes furniture (ebonized oak, leather or cast concrete) whose monolith forms are dotted with cavernous openings, which in turn are encrusted with crystals. The effect is akin to that of geological crystalline structures such as geodes. ." See link
(thanks for Aoife for ref)

working in the lab images

2008-02-10T04:37:00.001-08:00

getting samples ready for acoustic testing