Bartlett Researcher Wins Vanguard Award at ACADIA Conference

A paper co-authored by Nikoletta Karastathi, PhD researcher in Architectural Design, won the Vanguard Award at the 2024 ACADIA (Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture) Conference.

The Vanguard Award recognises exceptional, forward-thinking papers that contribute creative and alternative approaches to research and disciplinary inquiry. The winning paper, ‘Bridging Pixels and Fabrication’, introduces an innovative approach to enhancing accessibility in CNC knitting for architects and designers.

In addition to her doctoral research, Nikoletta teaches on The Bartlett’s Design for Manufacture MArch and Design for Performance & Interaction MArch.

Bridging Pixels and Fabrication: Enhancing Accessibility in CNC Knitting for Architectural Design

Co-authored with Bartlett alumni Shylaja Regunathan (Bio-Integrated Design MArch, 2023) and David Doria (Architectural Design MArch, 2020), Prof Marjan Colletti and external collaborator Tim Walpole, the paper addresses the technical challenges of integrating digital knitting technologies into design workflows.

As part of this research, the team developed Kniteretta, a Grasshopper plug-in that connects Kniterate, a medium-sized knitting machine, with commonly used design software. The work aims to improve accessibility and encourage innovative cross-disciplinary collaboration by simplifying workflows and enabling customisable designs. The process was validated through the creation of knitted samples and ‘Echoing Memories’, a medium-scale prototype created in response to the 2021 Mediterranean forest fires, as part of a broader series of tactile and environmental textile storytelling. The composite knitted textile combines hydrogel and ash collected from the affected landscape with lace patterns that interweave factual data, personal reflections and non-human voices. 'Echoing Memories’ was showcased as part of the 'Is One Life Enough?’ exhibition during Milan Design Week 2024.

The work was supported by The Bartlett’s Architecture Research Fund (ARF) and received valuable contributions from George Dwyer in the initial code development. The team thanks Alberto Fernandez Gonzalez and Thomas Parker for their ongoing support, and Gerard Rubio, Founder and CEO of Kniterate, for his guidance. Special thanks to Dr Fiona Zisch and Prof Marjan Colletti for their ongoing supervisory support.

More information

• Find out more about Nikoletta’s PhD research
• Architectural Design MPhil/PhD
• Find out more about the ACADIA Conference

Images: Thomas Parker