I had the privilege of visiting the Textile Prototyping Lab (TPL) in Germany as part of the Peer-to-Peer Exchange Program organized by the European Creative Hubs Network. Coming from Romantso in Athens, a hub that thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration in the arts, I was eager to explore how technology and material innovation can intersect with creative industries. My visit provided a deep dive into TPL’s approach to open innovation, textile research, and digital prototyping, all of which have the potential to inspire new creative projects within Romantso’s community.
During my exchange, I was hosted by Essi Johanna Glomb and Karina Wirth, the founders of TPL, who introduced me to the history and mission of the lab. Originally established as a research project, it has since evolved into an independent space for interdisciplinary textile prototyping, providing designers, engineers, and artists with access to cutting-edge tools and knowledge. TPL functions as a bridge between research, business, and education, offering customized prototyping solutions while fostering a culture of experimentation.
During the exchange, I participated in various activities that provided hands-on experience with textile research and digital fabrication. These included:
Workshops on smart textiles and sustainable materials, where I learned about how new technologies are reshaping textile design.
Technical demonstrations of CNC knitting, digital embroidery, and 3D weaving machines, highlighting the innovative processes behind material prototyping.
Discussions on interdisciplinary collaboration, exploring how artists, designers, and engineers can work together on experimental projects.
One of the key challenges discussed during my visit was bridging the gap between high-tech textile research and creative practitioners. Many artists and designers are unaware of the possibilities that textile prototyping offers, and TPL is actively working to make these technologies more accessible. This raised important questions for me about how Romantso could facilitate similar knowledge-sharing initiatives within its own community.
Another major theme was sustainability—TPL is focused on developing innovative materials with lower environmental impact, which is a crucial topic in today’s textile and fashion industries. The discussions we had on biodegradable textiles, circular production models, and the role of art in raising awareness about sustainability gave me new perspectives on how Romantso could contribute to the conversation through future projects.
Overall, my time at TPL reinforced the idea that creative hubs must act as facilitators for interdisciplinary collaboration. I left feeling inspired by the potential of textile prototyping to redefine artistic and cultural production, and I look forward to integrating these learnings into Romantso’s future initiatives.
