FabBRICK, a sustainable building material developed by Clarisse Merlet in 2019, incorporates waste textiles into its production process, addressing the dual issues of environmental degradation and resource depletion in the construction and textile industries. Originating from Merlet’s architectural studies in 2017, the innovation of FabBRICK lies in its ability to transform textile waste into functional and ecological building materials. This material not only contributes to waste reduction by recycling textiles but also offers improved acoustic and thermal insulation properties. With its establishment in Paris, FabBRICK continues to expand its influence through collaborations with businesses to promote recycling and sustainable practices.
The increasing use of innovative materials derived from waste aligns with global environmental and resource sustainability goals. Traditional construction and manufacturing materials have contributed significantly to environmental degradation, prompting the development of sustainable alternatives like FabBRICK. This material, made from waste fabrics, embodies a shift towards a sustainable future in construction.
Founded by architect Clarisse Merlet in 2019, FabBRICK originated from her student years when she recognized the need for sustainable building practices. During her studies in 2017, Merlet experimented with various waste materials, such as plastic bottles and cardboard. Her focus soon shifted to the textile industry’s waste, utilizing the inherent properties of cotton as an acoustic and thermal insulator to innovate ecological building materials.
Merlet explains, “Being an architecture student made me look for ways to build differently. I made different prototypes with ecological glues and experimented with textile compression methods. My successful prototype was fire-resistant and moisture-resistant.”
FabBRICK collaborates with businesses to transform their textile waste into new products, promoting waste reduction and recycling awareness. The company processes discarded textiles at a Parisian studio, where clothes are sorted by color and shredded into fibers. These fibers are then mixed with an ecological glue and compressed into bricks without the use of conventional dyeing, maintaining the textiles’ original colors.
These bricks find various applications, from standalone units and partition walls to integrated components in furniture like chairs and tables. The production process involves detailed handcrafting and a 30-minute compression in a patented machine, followed by a drying period of 10 to 15 days.
FabBRICK’s innovative approach has facilitated collaborations with various brands, turning over 90 kg of recycled textiles into decorative wall coverings for stores like the Kilo Shop in Paris. The company also engages in significant projects, such as creating mobile acoustic partitions for Decathlon’s new workspace in Lille, using over 200 kg of the brand’s production scrap.
The potential of FabBRICK as a structural material is still being explored. With the aim of expanding its market reach, FabBRICK is considering the establishment of factories in different regions to utilize local textile waste effectively. This vision supports the sustainable growth of the industry and demonstrates the scalability of using waste as a resource.
Clarisse Merlet emphasizes the global applicability of FabBRICK, stating, “FabBRICK can be developed worldwide, as unfortunately, fast fashion is everywhere, providing a continual source of textile waste.”
The company’s commitment to sustainability has attracted attention from major fashion industry players and brands with strong environmental policies, including Levis and Decathlon. By reimagining the way textile waste is utilized, FabBRICK contributes significantly to reducing the environmental impact of the construction and fashion industries.
