Amelia Whittaker - MA/MSc Textiles
Waste to Warmth: Reimagining Acoustics
I am a multidisciplinary designer with a background in Interior Design and a current focus on Textiles. My practice explores how materials, particularly waste and overlooked textiles can be reimagined to enrich interior spaces both functionally and emotionall.
My recent project, Waste to Warmth: Reimagining Acoustics, investigates how discarded fabrics and industrial offcute can be transformed into acoustic wall coverings, lighting and soft furnishings. These works challenge the perception of acoustic design as purely utilitarian by introducing tactility, warmth and narrative. Each piece absorbs not only sound but also carries stories of reuse, memory and care.
Ar the core of my work is a belief that design should enhance well-being through sensory engagement. I draw inspiration from architectural theor, material innovation and sustainable practice to create outcomes that balance aesthetic appeal with environmental responsibility. My process is hands-on and research led combining techniques such as layering, felting and embroidery to give new life to discarded materials while adressing real-world challenges like sound pollution and textile waste.
I am particularly interested in circular design and how objects can exist as both functional solutions and vessels of meaning. By embedding acoustic qualities into decorative and touchable forms, I aim to soften the overstimulating environments of contemporary living and working spaces.
Looking ahead, I am eager to collaborate with sustainable manufactusers, acoustic specialists and community networks to scale and share this work. Whether through commercial interiors, wellness-driven environment, or particularly workshops, I seek to design pieces that foster comfort, sustainability and connection.
Ultimately, my practice is about weaving together material innovation, storytelling and care to create interiors that are not only seen and heard but also felt.
