Clothing waste is a mounting environmental problem. Tons of fiber across the globe are discarded every year—fast-fashion, damaged garments, and textile blends that are hard to recycle. FabBRICK, a textile-upcycling startup founded by French designer Clarisse Merlet, has offered an inventive solution: build bricks from shredded clothes and ecological glue. These non-structural bricks are decorative, insulating, customizable, and bring new life to what would otherwise be landfill fodder.
What Is FabBRICK & Why It Matters
Origin & mission: FabBRICK emerged in 2018 when Merlet—concerned about the volume of discarded textiles and the environmental toll of building materials—decided to upcycle old clothing into something functional for interiors and design. Treehugger
Material input: The bricks use shredded clothes (any type: cotton, wool, polyester, elastane, PVC, etc.) as the base material. Typically each brick incorporates the fiber equivalent of about two to three t-shirts. Treehugger
Binder & forming: These fibers are mixed with an eco-glue developed by Merlet, pressed into molds, and then air-dried for about two weeks. The forming is manual; pressing is mechanical but energy use is minimal (no kilns or high-temperature firing). Treehugger
Properties & Uses
Performance characteristics:
Insulation: The textile bricks have good thermal and acoustic insulating properties. Treehugger
Moisture & fire resistance: They are reported to be resistant to moisture and fire to some degree (though not yet certified for all uses). Treehugger
Non-structural use: Currently, FabBRICKs cannot be used for loadbearing construction. They are appropriate for things like room partitions, decorative walls, furniture, lamps, stools, retail displays, etc. Treehugger
Aesthetic & customization:
The color and pattern of each brick depend on the source clothing—allowing customization by choosing specific textiles/colors. Treehugger
Sizes vary; multiple sizes are available. Treehugger
Scale & Impact So Far
Since the brand’s start (end of 2018), FabBRICK has made over 40,000 bricks, representing about 12 tons of recycled textile waste. Treehugger
There have been commissions from brands/organizations such as Galeries Lafayette (retail center) and Vinci Construction (turning worksite wear into stools and lamps). Treehugger
Challenges & What’s Next
Certification & safety testing: For full expansion, especially into commercial or high-traffic areas, the bricks need to pass more rigorous tests (fire, durability, outdoor exposure). Some lab/fire-tests are still in progress. Treehugger
Structural strength: As of now, not designed for structural loads. Researchers/designers are exploring potential ways to increase strength for more demanding uses. Treehugger
Scaling & production consistency: Ensuring consistent supply of textile waste of suitable quality, consistent glue/binder properties, uniform drying, etc. – all present scale-related challenges.
FAQs
Q1: What kinds of clothing work best for FabBRICK? They accept a wide range—cotton, wool, synthetics, blends—since shredded textile is mixed and then formed. The choice of clothing influences color, pattern, insulation, and texture. Treehugger
Q2: Are these bricks heavy? They are relatively lightweight compared to masonry bricks because textile fibers are less dense. That also contributes to their insulation performance. (Exact weight depends on size and textile mix.)
Q3: Can FabBRICKs be used outdoors? They are designed for indoor or sheltered applications currently. Outdoor or loadbearing use isn’t recommended yet, pending more durability testing.
Q4: What things are these being used for now? Decorative interiors (retail displays, boutique walls), furniture pieces (stools, lamps), customizing surfaces in stores, artistic and show-case use.
Conclusion
FabBRICK gives a promising example of how textile waste can be transformed into something useful, beautiful, and functional—without major energy inputs or heavy infrastructure. While these bricks won’t replace structural concrete bricks any time soon, they offer an innovative alternative for interior design and secondary surfaces. As textile waste continues to pile up globally, solutions like this move us closer to circular design in both fashion and architecture.
Researchers developed a 3D-printed metamaterial ring that reflects up to 94% of sound, while allowing air and light to pass—opening new possibilities in soundproof design.
Rice University researchers mimic tubulane geometry in 3D-printed materials, showing shape can make plastic, metal, or concrete behave almost like diamond.
Penn State team developed a low-heat, light-pulse printing method to transfer biodegradable circuits onto curved, textured surfaces like seashells and glass.
FabBRICK: Turning Textile Waste Into Sculptural, Sustainable Bricks
Introduction
Clothing waste is a mounting environmental problem. Tons of fiber across the globe are discarded every year—fast-fashion, damaged garments, and textile blends that are hard to recycle. FabBRICK, a textile-upcycling startup founded by French designer Clarisse Merlet, has offered an inventive solution: build bricks from shredded clothes and ecological glue. These non-structural bricks are decorative, insulating, customizable, and bring new life to what would otherwise be landfill fodder.
What Is FabBRICK & Why It Matters
Properties & Uses
Scale & Impact So Far
Challenges & What’s Next
FAQs
Q1: What kinds of clothing work best for FabBRICK?
They accept a wide range—cotton, wool, synthetics, blends—since shredded textile is mixed and then formed. The choice of clothing influences color, pattern, insulation, and texture. Treehugger
Q2: Are these bricks heavy?
They are relatively lightweight compared to masonry bricks because textile fibers are less dense. That also contributes to their insulation performance. (Exact weight depends on size and textile mix.)
Q3: Can FabBRICKs be used outdoors?
They are designed for indoor or sheltered applications currently. Outdoor or loadbearing use isn’t recommended yet, pending more durability testing.
Q4: What things are these being used for now?
Decorative interiors (retail displays, boutique walls), furniture pieces (stools, lamps), customizing surfaces in stores, artistic and show-case use.
Conclusion
FabBRICK gives a promising example of how textile waste can be transformed into something useful, beautiful, and functional—without major energy inputs or heavy infrastructure. While these bricks won’t replace structural concrete bricks any time soon, they offer an innovative alternative for interior design and secondary surfaces. As textile waste continues to pile up globally, solutions like this move us closer to circular design in both fashion and architecture.
Related Posts
A Ring That Silences: The Sound-Blocking Metamaterial That Lets Air & Light Pass Through
Researchers developed a 3D-printed metamaterial ring that reflects up to 94% of sound, while allowing air and light to pass—opening new possibilities in soundproof design.
Weaving Strength: How Tubulane-Inspired Geometry Could Make Buildings as Strong as Diamonds
Rice University researchers mimic tubulane geometry in 3D-printed materials, showing shape can make plastic, metal, or concrete behave almost like diamond.
Printing Electronics on Irregular Surfaces: Low-Cost, Light-Based Circuit Printing
Penn State team developed a low-heat, light-pulse printing method to transfer biodegradable circuits onto curved, textured surfaces like seashells and glass.
How Solar Panels Are Made: From Sand to Sunlight
Explore how solar panels are made—purifying silicon, cutting wafers, doping cells, encapsulating, framing—and what affects their cost and performance.