Carpets Design by Nature

Age Group: 9-12 years

Duration: long-term project but teachers can select to implement specific elements of the activity.

Biomimicry Connection:

Can nature inspire us when creating carpets? How can we bring the beauty of wood, flowers, sand, stone and water to our interiors? What does nature teach us about colours, patterns, and changes in time?

Activity Details:

Tools and materials

• Paper and coloured pencils
• Tools for creating an innovative carpet (if applicable) e.g. natural materials

Location

Indoors or outdoors.

Description

Working in teams, pupils will draw an eco-innovative carpet inspired by nature, or create it from natural materials (e.g. a mandala rug). They will present their proposal in the form of a short presentation, describing the inspiration for their design, materials from which the carpet will be made and the method of laying it on the floor. The carpet needs to look nice, but other criteria could include environmental and economic factors.

1. The whole class goes for a walk. Teams are equipped with a mat, paper and coloured pencils. They explore natural surfaces (a flower bed, paving made of natural materials, bark of a tree, etc.) Their task is to draw at least two types of surfaces that make them feel pleasant. Would they like to walk on a rug with this pattern/colours? Why?
2. For homework, pupils should make further observations. What should the carpet look like? Like a forest ‘carpet’, moss, annual rings on a tree trunk, a blooming meadow or pebbles on the river banks? If the weather permits, pupils can take off their shoes and walk outside and really feel the environment. An alternative is to research natural surfaces on the internet. What makes natural surfaces interesting? Why is it pleasant for a person to be in contact with a natural surface?
3. In groups, pupils make a new graphic design of their dream carpet again.
4. Now, we already have an idea how a carpet inspired by nature could look like. But what should our carpet be made of? What kind of carpets did people use to decorate their homes in the past? What is the advantage of ‘carpets’ in nature compared to the ones we use? What are carpets made of nowadays (artificial or natural fibres, sheep's wool, old pieces of clothing, a mix of new and old) and what is the impact on the environment? And what happens to the carpet when it reaches the end of its life?
5. What size should the carpet be? Will there be one big piece? Or two smaller ones? What are the advantages and disadvantages of different sizes?
6. How is your carpet connected to the ground at home? Stuck with glue? Laid down? What happens to the wall-to-wall carpet when you move to a new apartment or house? How could the problem of adapting the carpet of the space be solved in case of moving to another space?
7. Pupils finalize the idea of ​​their carpet, add to their drawing what the carpet will be made of and how they will ensure its adaptability to the new space. If there is enough time, pupils could also create prototypes of an innovative eco-carpet.
8. Pupils present their carpets as start-up businesses. The rest of the pupils are well-known personalities who want to support the most talented team of young innovators. Encourage them to ask curious questions and the presenting team tries to provide convincing answers as to why their proposal is the best.
9. The teacher reflects on the whole activity, and highlights all the good ideas, noticing not only the carpets themselves, but also the way the pupils worked. Did they work as a team? Did each pupil in the team find their application? Does everyone feel like the owner of the final design? Why is it important that we listen to each other and give everyone a chance to contribute to creating a solution?
10. The teacher presents a sample/photo of a carpet inspired by nature or shows one or more videos:
    • Carpet video 1.
    • Carpet video 2.
    • Innovator: Interface produces carpets that are climate neutral. The carpet tiles are joined at the corners by underlaying squares of TAC tiles, inspired by the gecko's adhesion to surfaces. Carpets can be disassembled and installed in a new place at any time.
11. What are the advantages of using Interface carpets over the carpets we usually use? Less waste in the sea, mitigating climate change, less chemicals, completely glue-free, less waste from discarded carpets, and advantage for people who enjoy looking at a natural surface.
12. Final evaluation: Did the pupils manage to think about the creation of carpets inspired by nature similar to Interface? In what areas did they do well: colour, pattern, use of natural or recycled fibres, Decrease the impact on the environment?
13. Can we apply this “ask nature" approach to other areas of life. If yes, where? 

Extensions

See other activities about biophilic design:

• Elements of biophilic design
• Find your natural place  

Additional Information

Learn more about Interface carpets from their website (here).

Watch a video about biophilic carpets (here).

See how old fishing nets are being turned in to carpets (here).

Read this article about how carpets are helping the fight against the climate crisis (here).