Abstract
This paper explores a regenerative approach to hybrid craft by integrating 3D printed PLA mesh with traditional bamboo basketry techniques from India. Situated at the intersection of digital fabrication and natural fibre weaving, the research investigates how manual and machine-led processes can co- exist meaningfully within a unified design language. Moving beyond superficial material combination, the study proposes a co-authored methodology where both craft and technology actively shape form, structure, and aesthetic. Through a series of experimental prototypes, the research develops hybrid three-dimensional forms by manually weaving bamboo slivers onto partially printed flat PLA mesh surfaces, which are then thermally activated and moulded into platonic solids. The methodology further includes developing closure systems and exploring rim-finishing techniques adapted from traditional bamboo crafts. The research also includes a user perception study to assess the impact of varying degrees of hybridisation on visual appeal and perceived craftsmanship. The outcomes suggest that hybridisation can serve as a regenerative practice—revitalising traditional crafts not by preserving them in isolation but by embedding them within evolving material dialogues. The study highlights how digital tools, when used responsively, can support craft continuity, expand formal possibilities, and introduce new material narratives. By engaging the hand and the machine as collaborators, this research contributes to contemporary discourses on craft and design innovation.
Keywords
Hybrid Craft; Bamboo Weaving; Digital Fabrication; Regenerative Design
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.1135
Citation
Gupta, S.,and Shende, A.(2025) Crafting the In-Between: Weaving with Hybrid Bamboo and 3D Printed Mesh as Regenerative Practice, in Chang, C.-Y., and Hsu, Y. (eds.), IASDR 2025: Design Next, 02-05 December, Taiwan. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.1135
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Track 11 - Culture and Craft Design for Regenerative Practices
Crafting the In-Between: Weaving with Hybrid Bamboo and 3D Printed Mesh as Regenerative Practice
This paper explores a regenerative approach to hybrid craft by integrating 3D printed PLA mesh with traditional bamboo basketry techniques from India. Situated at the intersection of digital fabrication and natural fibre weaving, the research investigates how manual and machine-led processes can co- exist meaningfully within a unified design language. Moving beyond superficial material combination, the study proposes a co-authored methodology where both craft and technology actively shape form, structure, and aesthetic. Through a series of experimental prototypes, the research develops hybrid three-dimensional forms by manually weaving bamboo slivers onto partially printed flat PLA mesh surfaces, which are then thermally activated and moulded into platonic solids. The methodology further includes developing closure systems and exploring rim-finishing techniques adapted from traditional bamboo crafts. The research also includes a user perception study to assess the impact of varying degrees of hybridisation on visual appeal and perceived craftsmanship. The outcomes suggest that hybridisation can serve as a regenerative practice—revitalising traditional crafts not by preserving them in isolation but by embedding them within evolving material dialogues. The study highlights how digital tools, when used responsively, can support craft continuity, expand formal possibilities, and introduce new material narratives. By engaging the hand and the machine as collaborators, this research contributes to contemporary discourses on craft and design innovation.