The beanbag “Ruhsack” combines social and ecological requirements through the self-empowerment and support of young people left behind, who independently produce a versatile seat cushion from discarded and recycled textiles in an artisanal process.
Define the problem/need you are solving or addressing with your project. How does it address the Open Call criteria, such as environmental impact, social engagement, circularity, user experience, resource efficiency, and community-driven solutions?
The Caritas organization “Startbahn Feldkirch” offers young people who have dropped out of the education system or been excluded a low-threshold temporary job. At its essence, it is about encouraging and empowering these very different individuals with the aim of preparing them for the job market.
In the “Startbahn+” project, product proposals are developed in collaboration and close exchange with students from the Industrial Design Linz degree program. Various work steps should cover the different needs of the young people. The Caritas organization „carla Tex” offers the opportunity to reuse a valuable material by collecting and sorting used textiles.
Florian Steidl developed the “Ruhsack” beanbag. In a circular knitting process, old bed sheets are knitted into an upholstery while recycled cushions are used as filling. The combination of this circular material flow with the reintegration of young people who have been left behind characterizes this socially and ecologically sustainable project.
Please describe your project, reflecting on the concept, inspiration, materials, technical aspects, methods and process(es).
Crafts offer the opportunity to physically experience learned skills. Experiencing this moment of success is empowering to create something by hand. This awakens intrinsic motivation and strengthens self-esteem.
Circular knitting is often taught on a small scale with yarn in primary school. For the “Ruhsack”, the same process is used on a large scale. Instead of yarn, a textile strip made from old bed sheets is used which was originally processed into carpets in the austrian rural context.
The individual work steps, such as preparing the base material, knitting the textile cover or sewing and filling the inner bag, require different skills. While some prefer varied tasks with a high level of concentration, others choose repetitive processes to clear their heads.
Together they create a high-quality handcrafted product that will always be unique due to the choice of materials and its colours.
What do you think makes your project innovative compared to the existing efforts and ideas in the field it addresses?
The focus of the project is on the young people who find work at “Startbahn Feldkirch” for a range of reasons. Being part of a demanding and valued craft production should encourage and empower them. In this environment, there is space for an orientation towards the future, which opens up the door to a self-determined life.
In addition to the local impact of this social project, a responsibility for the society must also be borne when manufacturing products. With “carla Tex”, the largest used clothing sorting plant in the German-speaking region, there is an organization in the immediate vicinity of “Startbahn Feldkirch” that makes “reuse” and “recycle” possible through highly differentiated sorting.
In this way, a responsible and circular product is produced independently in a social and inclusive work program.
Does it impact or reflect young people need(s) and how?
Unfortunately, our education system is not made for everyone. Some find it difficult to find their own goals, others are unable to keep up in regular education owing to a lack of language skills or physical impairments. All of this can lead to a hopeless and frustrating situation due to a lot of discouragement and repeated negative results.
It is therefore particularly important to offer these young people an opportunity for self-development and personal success. The “Ruhsack” is the result of a collaborative and sustainable handicraft process and is as a creatively usable seat cushion a valuable and meaningful product.
