PARX: Curating Textiles from Local Terrain

School: Harvard GSD | Course: Core Studio III | Semester: Fall 2024

PARX: Curating Textiles from Local Terrain reimagines public land stewardship by transforming Greater Boston’s underfunded park system into a source of renewable funding and management systems. Inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision for a healthier and more connected region, the initiative addresses the environmental degradation caused by industrial exploitation, fostering a new era of environmental and industrial collaboration.

By establishing a joint venture between the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the initiative will launch the textile brand, PARX, within a fast-growing local fashion market. Raw materials for fabric dyeing and textile manufacturing will be sensibly sourced from the region’s Urban Wilds, concurrently protecting and healing ecosystems through community-driven efforts. This approach combines AFFOA’s regenerative manufacturing techniques with natural resources to create a self-sustaining funding stream for park improvements. To promote the initiative’s impact, a one-time global fashion event will be held at the transformed Rumney Marsh site, highlighting the textile brand’s innovative partnership between local textiles and environmental stewardship.

PARX: Curating Textiles from Local Terrain aims to promote the future of the regional parks system while positioning Boston as a leader in regenerative textile innovation and community-driven land management.