3D Printed Running Shoes Help ‘Rewild’ Urban Spaces
Resembling a hoof, dispersing seeds, and emerging from a 3D printer – these are not traits you’d normally associate with a running shoe. Yet, the synergy of innovative design, ambition, and a fearless creative spirit has melded these features seamlessly into a singular creation. Enter Kiki Grammatopoulos, a young visionary designer from Britain, who unveiled her “Rewild the Run” initiative during her Masters in Material Futures program at Central Saint Martins University in London. The project’s centerpiece is an extraordinary 3D printed shoe capable of scattering seeds as it traverses surfaces.
Picture a conventional New Balance trail shoe fitted with a 3D printed outsole that discreetly dispenses seeds of various plants during the wearer’s run, actively contributing to urban greenery. For Grammatopoulos, this endeavor transcends footwear innovation; it’s a call to urban residents to embrace rewilding, engage in safeguarding their natural surroundings, and play an active role in shaping a greener environment.
The “Rewild the Run” initiative birthed a remarkable 3D printed running shoe equipped with the ability to carry and scatter seeds and plantings while in motion. (photo credit: Maël Hénaff)
Rewilding stands as an ecological restoration method, aiming to reinstate nature’s equilibrium. While initiated by humans, it relies on minimal intervention thereafter, allowing nature to reestablish its own harmony. In urban landscapes, rampant development disrupts the natural cycle, making self-regeneration and forest expansion near impossible. Enter Grammatopoulos and her innovative 3D printed running shoes – a bid to lend urban nature a hand and kindle active participation. Her prototype running shoe takes simplicity to heart, scattering seeds directly as you jog. Collaborating with the “Run the Boroughs” running group, she’s currently subjecting her design to practical trials, scrutinizing its influence, and using data to refine her creation.
The standout element of Grammatopoulos’ creation lies in its 3D printed outsole, a product of nylon polymer crafted using a 3D printer. Employing additive manufacturing has granted the running shoe both its visually striking and utilitarian design. The outsole boasts minuscule hooks reminiscent of shaggy fur, inspired by nature’s ingenious mechanisms. These hooks serve as carriers for dirt, seeds, and plant matter, hitching a ride on the runner’s shoe to new areas, enabling thier dispersal. This adaptation from the animal world mirrors the way seeds attach to fur and paws, facilitating their journey and growth in new locales. Through the amalgamation of biometrics and innovative technology, the designer skillfully marries nature’s principles with advanced methods, ushering in greener urban spaces.
A Shoe Drawing Inspiration From the Animal Kingdom
Aside from the seed dispersal concept, Grammatopoulos draws inspiration from another natural phenomenon for her 3D printed running shoe. This stems from the concept of “keystone species” in the animal world, where certain species play a pivotal role in rejuvenating and shaping the environment. An example of this is the bison, whose robust hooves inadvertently forge pathways that other animals use to venture into new territories.
Thus, the shoe not only mimics the seed-spreading action observed in animals’ fur but also mirrors the form of the bison’s sturdy hooves. As a runner trots through the park donning Grammatopoulos’ 3D printed athletic shoe, they concurrently disseminate seeds via the shaggy outsole and create trails similar to the bison’s tracks, encouraging animals to follow suit. This dual approach to rewilding urban areas seamlessly aligns with nature’s own principles.
The design of the sole is based on principles from the animal world (photo credit: Kiki Grammatopoulos)
The designer’s project takes a strategic aim at two of humanity’s beloved domains – sports and fashion – with the intent to enhance people’s connection to the environment and provoke a fresh perspective on our rapport with nature. This endeavor employs 3D printing as a mindful tool for sustainability, as it conscientiously crafts prototypes and consumer goods with minimal environmental impact. The 3D printed running shoe, currently in its prototype phase, has proudly graced platforms like Milan’s Design Week and other prestigious events. In its evolution, Grammatopoulos envisions fabricating the shoe through 3D printing or injection molding with rubber to bolster its endurance and practicality.
Furthermore, the designer is actively exploring supplementary attachments for shoes that mirror the seed-dispersal function while running or walking. To delve deeper into these exciting developments, feel free to explore further HERE.
What do you think of this 3D printed running shoe that scatters seeds? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
*Cover photo credits: Tom Mannion / Kiki Grammatopoulos
