REWILD THE RUN by Kiki Grammatopoulos
Rewild the Run seeks to promote positive participation in the ecology of the urban environment through the redesign of footwear; the bristly running shoe outsole design helps to spread plants and seeds in cities. This project seeks to democratise Urban Rewilding, allowing city dwellers to engage in the ecological growth of the local environment.
'Urban rewilding' explores ways to equip cities and towns to support wildlife and cater to diverse ecosystems within urban constraints. The city is an entirely man-made construct and demands intuitive thinking to integrate natural spaces within it. Kiki Grammatopoulos has used principles of biomimicry by borrowing elements from nature to create her sneaker outsole, which is densely covered in tiny hooks that grip onto dirt and plant matter as the wearer treads. The ‘hooks’ allow the shoes to mimic the phenomenon of epizoochory, where seeds are transported by becoming attached to an animal's fur.
The increase in urban developments has contributed to the extensive fragmentation and reduction of natural habitats. Urbanisation has a range of adverse effects on ecosystem functioning, including the disruption of plant dispersal processes across the landscape. Therefore a vital part of urban rewilding is the human component of the process.
Footwear is our connection to the ground and our environment. Inspired by animal hooves and fur, this project proposes that our outsoles could promote biodiversity and further cultivate ecosystems, by mimicking the behaviour of ‘keystone species’.
COMPOSITION: New Balance trainer upper attached to custom 3D printed sole unit