In this project, second-year interior design students at Ohio State University will collaborate with Mohawk Group to develop a trend forecast report regarding the future of design. Then further expand on this topic into an innovative carpet collection for Mohawk.
Trend Forecast:
Resilience
The COVID-19 pandemic occurred in 2020 has drastically altered what was once accepted as reality. It touched on all aspects of health, social, economic, political, and cultural life. As society shifted to an online universe, the world is forced to confront many uncertainties and changes. Realizing the world after COVID-19 is unlikely to return to the one we used to, people start to notice the significance of “Resilience”, the ability of finding a way to adapt to any unexpected changes. We understand that it’s crucial to build emotional and mental resilience in our children, who will end up becoming the next owner of this world, preparing them for future challenges. Other than the psychological resilience, we are also responsible to cope with ecological resilience, the ability of an ecosystem to maintain its normal patterns of nutrient cycling and biomass production.
To leave a better world for our future generation, this trend will never end and the message should keep being passed on.
Mohawk x LEGO
Collaboration
Lego believe that children are our role models because they are curious, creative and imaginative. “Play” in the LEGO sense is learning, which ties back to the idea of “Resilience”, the ability to learn and adapt. Like Mohawk, LEGO is thrive to contribute to the sustainable future. to In 2018, LEGO started making a range of sustainable LEGO elements from sugarcane to create polyethylene, a soft, durable and flexible plastic. Now LEGO has 100 of the 3,600 elements made from sustainably sourced polyethylene. Despite the small proportion, it is the first important step out of many on the journey towards completely using sustainable materials by 2030.
Sustainability:
Sugarcane
After collecting the juice, the remained fiber of sugarcane, named bagasse, becomes the part we’re able to salvage. Bagasse is normally used as a biofuel for the production of heat, energy, and electricity, and in the manufacture of pulp and building materials. LEGO is one of the manufacturers who utilize bagasse as a sustainable material in production. Besides being a renewable or recycled resource, it also meets their high standards for safety, quality and durability. We can weave the collected bagasse and turn them into the backing of the carpet to provide a strong, durable, and sustainable support.
THE LEGO COLLECTION
By using the LEGO’s color palette, I create two color lines for the design representing two aspects of “Resilience.” The warm tone “Hope” represents the strong belief and enthusiasm in peoples heart; while the cool tone “Bond” symbolizes the strength of the emotional connection between communities.
Installation
Specifications
Manufacturer: Mohawk Flooring
Tile Dimensions: 12” x 12”
Fibers/Materials: EnviroStrandTM SD
Construction: Multi-Level Loop
Dye Method: Solution dyed
Pile height: 1⁄2 Inch
Backing: EcoFlexTM Matrix
Installation: Flexlok Tab system
