Kai Woei Lim and Elena Low were presented the grand prize for the 3-D printed international fashion competition organized by NTU ( Nanyang Technological University), Singapore. The competition revolved around the themes of sustainability and attributes of water.
Courtesy of © XYZ Workshop
The piece would also serve as a kind of innovative discourse that emphasized the use of 3-d printing to the fashion industry. XYZ Workshop’s design revolved around the chemical components of water molecules and the visual representation of electrolysis; a process in which water is used to create hydrogen.
Courtesy of © XYZ Workshop
The design also incorporates the concept of water molecules through intriguing spherical series that introduce open and enclosed areas. The pattern illustrates a rippled effect where a unique comparison can be made between dense and clear areas. The shape of the design also resembles the traditional Chinese dress “ Cheongsam”, combining interesting attributes form previous customs with technological applications.
Courtesy of © XYZ Workshop
The initial design began with utilizing Kinect Senors attach to a computer which generated a 3-d cloud that was then turned into a mesh which the geometric forms were based off of. After that a 3-d modeling software Rhino was used to map out the variety of patterns on the generic model, similar to the process of tailoring.
Courtesy of © XYZ Workshop
The final product took about 170 hrs to complete and composed of 26 different portions. Kai Woei Lim and Elena Low wanted to portray the beneficial uses of 3-d printing in challenging our basic design principles and the push beyond our accustomed limits in hopes to achieve an outstanding outcome.
Courtesy of © XYZ Workshop
Anastasia Andreieva is an accomplished Architectural Projects Editor at Arch2O, bringing a unique blend of linguistic expertise and design enthusiasm to the team. Born and raised in Ukraine, she holds a Master’s degree in Languages from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Her deep passion for architecture and visual storytelling led her to transition from translation and editorial roles into the world of design media. With a keen eye for conceptual clarity and narrative structure, Anastasia curates and presents global architectural projects with precision and flair. She is particularly drawn to parametric and digital design, cultural context, and emerging voices in architecture. When I’m not analyzing the latest architectural trends, you’ll probably find me searching for hidden gems in cityscapes or appreciating the beauty of well-crafted spaces. After all, great design—like great connections—can be found in the most unexpected places. Speaking of connections, because architecture isn’t the only thing that brings people together.