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The Biophilic Program by Tai Ping

Tai Ping Design Studio

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The Biophilic Program by Tai Ping hand-tufted rug : Ajowan I - Francis Amiand
The Biophilic Program by Tai Ping hand-tufted rug : Ajowan I (detail) - Francis Amiand
The Biophilic Program by Tai Ping hand-tufted rug : Alizea I, a shaped-form rug - Francis Amiand
The Biophilic Program by Tai Ping hand-tufted rug : Ajowan I - Francis Amiand

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Dimension
200x300cm
Completion
2024
Material
Berber Wool, Spun Silk, Dull Silk, Delicate Silk, Flax, Jute, Cashmere, Bamboo, Wool
Budget
50K €
Tai Ping Design Studio
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The Biophilic Program by Tai Ping, featuring 16 rugs crafted from 100% natural, undyed fibres and materials, exemplifies a commitment to innovation, functionality, creativity and sustainability. It underscores the brand's longstanding dedication to environmental consciousness and superior craftsmanship.

Innovation
The innovative approach to the Biophilic Program was to eliminate synthetic materials and to forgo the entire dyeing process. Tai Ping engineers determined that this approach saves at least 60% of water and 85% of energy compared to standard dyed yarn applications, marking a significant advancement in sustainable manufacturing. The program, which uses only renewable natural fibres, further enhances its environmental alignment by using natural backing materials of cotton and tree rubber and incorporating various breeds of Berber sheep, enriching the raw colour palette and boosting product sustainability.

Functionality
Functionality is demonstrated through the resilience and longevity of the materials used. Employing natural, undyed fibres such as wool – which retains more of its natural waxy lanolin due to the absence of dyeing – enhances the rug’s anti-soiling properties, flame resistance and overall durability. This ensures that each rug maintains its luxury aesthetic while offering practical benefits such as a longer lifespan and reduced maintenance, thus meeting high standards of functionality.

Creativity
Creativity in the Biophilic Program is expressed through the challenge of using only the naturally-occurring hues of raw materials, which led Tai Ping designers and artisans to explore a multitude of sophisticated tufting techniques, textures and material combinations. The absence of dyes required a high level of craftsmanship to create beautiful, cohesive designs. Employing techniques such as gradients, multi-level pile heights and hand sculpting that have been honed over more than six decades, artisans added silk, flax and jute accents to create intricate painterly effects akin to Japanese Shibori art. These constraints not only spurred creativity but also served to enhance the unique natural beauty of the materials.

Sustainability
Sustainability is at the core of the Biophilic Program, reflecting Tai Ping’s ever-present commitment to minimising environmental impact. The use of natural, renewable materials and the omission of all dyeing significantly reduced each rug's ecological footprint. The program is aligned with the company’s broader sustainability strategies, encouraging the use of eco-friendly resources and minimising waste and energy consumption, while also educating stakeholders on responsible material choices and manufacturing processes.

These elements collectively demonstrate how the Biophilic Program by Tai Ping exceeds the criteria of innovation, functionality, creativity and sustainability, making it a leading example in the design industry for environmental consciousness and responsibly-inspired creativity.