This diploma thesis presents the development and evaluation of a textile wall made from silk fabric, integrating the functional, aesthetic, and symbolic dimensions of textiles in contemporary spaces. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of combined functionalisation of silk fabric using an ammonium phytate-based flame retardant (AF), a water-repellent polysiloxane (PS-C12), and a dispersion of silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles on its key functional properties, as well as to assess its suitability for use as a spatial partition or curtain in interior applications. To achieve a multifunctional dual-component flame-retardant and water-repellent finish, a two-step impregnation process was applied. In the first step, a combination of AF and SiO2 was deposited onto the fabric, followed by the application of polysiloxane PS-C12 in the second step. In addition, single-component reference samples were also prepared. The influence of the applied finishes on surface morphology was determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while functional performance was evaluated through water repellency testing (spray test), vertical flame test, tensile strength measurements, and stiffness assessment. The results showed that the presence of polysiloxane contributes to pronounced water repellency, while the combination of the flame-retardant agent and SiO2 nanoparticles improves the flame-retardant properties of the silk fabric. The application of the multifunctional finishing also affects the mechanical properties, as it reduces tensile strength and elongation while increasing the stiffness of the material, indicating structural reinforcement and decreased deformability. Consequently, the textile wall behaves more stably and with a more defined form in space but still maintaining its textile identity. Such a multifunctional material therefore represents a suitable solution for a textile wall as an architectural element, as it enables a safe, durable, and aesthetically appealing partition that meets the requirements of contemporary interiors in terms of functionality and safety.
Beyond the technical aspect, the thesis also addresses the psychological and symbolic meaning of the wall. The textile wall, as a soft, permeable, and flexible element, reinterprets traditional notions of boundary, protection, and intimacy. The conceptual inspiration originates from the architecture of Shigeru Ban, particularly his Curtain Wall House, where a curtain becomes an architectural element that dissolves the boundary between interior and exterior space. Thus, the thesis combines a scientific approach to textile functionalisation with a reflection on why humans need walls, what they protect us from, and how textiles as materials can offer an alternative, softer interpretation of spatial separation.
|
