O’Cycle

The objective of the project called O-cycle is to engage students in a rigorous and in-depth exploration
of ecological design through the transformation of reclaimed materials. At its core, the project seeks to
investigate how discarded or surplus materials can be reinterpreted as catalysts for sustainable
innovation and speculative product development. Rather than approaching sustainability as a
constraint, students are invited to consider it as a generative framework that encourages critical inquiry,
experimentation, and the redefinition of value. The proposed reclaimed material will serve as both a
conceptual and technical point of departure, challenging participants to construct new forms, functions,
and user experiences that extend beyond the material’s original purpose.
Throughout the process, students are expected to apply eco-design strategies with creativity,
methodological rigour, and sustained critical reflection. This entails engaging with fundamental
principles such as material lifecycle analysis, resource efficiency, durability, modularity, and the
minimization of environmental impact. The project is conducted in partnership with the Olympic Stadium
(the “Big O”), which will provide access to reclaimed technical fabric as well as specialized tools and
facilities. This collaboration situates the project within a real-world context, emphasizing feasibility,
material constraints, and responsible production methods. The central challenge lies in revealing the
latent potential embedded within this technical textile and translating it into innovative and meaningful
design propositions. As designers, students bear the responsibility of adding value, relevance, and
narrative depth to the material through thoughtful and imaginative interventions.
Sustainable design principles will inform both the conceptual development and the fabrication process,
ensuring that the final outcomes are grounded in coherent eco-design strategies rather than superficial
gestures. The emphasis is placed not only on the final artifact but also on the integrity of the process
that leads to it.

2025

$3750