Perspectives of the past, visions beyond the present. A journey within footwear.

Name(s) of graduate(s):

Damián Araos

2026

Hochschule Düsseldorf

New Craft Object Design

Master of Arts

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Description

A dismantleable shoe made from a single folded rectangular piece of fabric, combined with a modular, interlocking 3D-printed sole and connecting elements, bridges the gap between the heritage of historical footwear and the cost-effective technologies of our time.

The manufacturing techniques and design logic of the espadrille serve as a reference and starting point for more efficient and versatile contemporary shoe concepts. Through the use of accessible technologies such as 3D printing and the material-efficient use of fabric, simplicity, material reduction, and modularity are reinterpreted. The result is a configurable construction system made of detachable and interchangeable components that minimizes material waste, promotes repairability, and extends the lifespan of the product.

The project aims to show how design can utilize historical perspectives to enable a more sustainable and future-oriented design.