Textile Inspired Roof Top Garden in Belfast City Centre

The negative impact of textile waste on our environment has been well publicised with over 8000 tons going to landfill in Northern Ireland alone. Currently we can have any fabric, material, ink, or dye shipped directly to our door at the click of a button and we are disconnected from the practices, skills and methods required to grow and produce these materials. The rationale behind the garden is realising the potential in the resources we have available locally and exploring how we can utilise them in more creative ways. Many plants used in textiles are native, offer biodiversity, are undemanding in terms of water and are easily propagated and grown in the UK. This project desires to re-establish the connection between plants and textiles, reveal the beauty to be found in plant-based dyes and fibres, and sow a seed of curiosity about what we wear.