Adamas Zapatos by Hengbo Zhang and Wenxi Qi

Adamas Zapatos by Hengbo Zhang and Wenxi Qi is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award de Hierro in Diseño de Calzado Competition Category.

HierroCalzado· 2022

Adamas Zapatos

by Hengbo Zhang and Wenxi Qi

A' Design Award de Hierro Winner in Calzado Category

37,145

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #127250

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Adamas Zapatos

Adamas es un zapato sin cordones diseñado para el uso diario en la ciudad. La suela presenta facetas angulares y afiladas inspiradas en los diamantes en bruto, mientras que la parte superior, de material elástico y suave, envuelve el pie de forma ceñida. Los materiales principales son caucho sintético y tejido elástico. Se recurrió al análisis por ordenador para definir la estructura y la masa necesaria de cada parte de la suela. La suela se conforma en una sola pieza, lo que favorece una producción rápida, plantillas estables y un menor desperdicio de material. Una estructura de soporte se extiende desde la suela hasta el tobillo y mantiene la parte superior en su sitio.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Hierro

Adamas Zapatos ha ganado el A' Design Award de Hierro, un reconocimiento prestigioso concedido a buenos diseños que cumplen los requisitos profesionales e industriales que se esperan de creaciones bien diseñadas. Los ganadores de Hierro demuestran gran habilidad, alta especialización, comprensión experta y capacidad creativa de sus creadores. Se espera que Adamas Zapatos sea una creación muy apreciada, admirada y querida, práctica e innovadora. Este diseño ganador del A' Design Award de Hierro integra las mejores prácticas del sector y tiene características técnicas competentes unidas a conocimiento práctico y talento. Adamas Zapatos es respetado por su minuciosidad y está concebido para aportar mejoras en la calidad de vida que ayudan a hacer del mundo un lugar mejor.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The accelerating urbanization has put people's lives in a constant state of tension. Adamas' style reflects the state of existence of urbanites in a rapidly developing technological city. The Adamas' diamond-like angular sole represents a seemingly impenetrable system, but the soft upper gives the foot a sense of complete wrapping and security. It encourages people to challenge authority bravely and seek breakthroughs freely.
Dimensions & Packaging: Length 320mm x Width 115mm x Height 150mm
Tags: Lifestyle, Computational, Techwear, Laceless Design, Footwear Design
Production Technology: The primary materials used in the production of this footwear design are synthetic rubber and elastic fabric. In this case, the synthetic rubber was optimized by computerized virtual physical algorithms and tests to derive the structure of each part and its required mass. In addition, connections for one-piece molding exists between all aspects of the sole to help achieve rapid processing and footbed stability. At the same time, the support structure extending from the sole to the ankle also provides sufficient bonding space for the upper to ensure proper curvature and wrapping.
Design Challenge: The biggest challenge of this design was the need to support the upper using a structure that extends from the sole of the shoe. The streamlined material requires more detail in the side wrap structure.
Research: This design aims at innovative research and practice on outsole shape and soft/hard material fit. In the process, we explored the possibility of using computer analysis in shoe design to control the force of materials and improve the wrapping of the upper. At the same time, we also tried to create wrapping strong one-piece outsoles to reduce the waste of manufacturing materials. This design further explores the prospect of high contrast technology style in the future urban lifestyle shoe field in terms of style.
Inspiration: The inspiration of Adamas comes from unpolished diamonds. The design of the shoes reflects the designer's view on the future status of urbanization. With an elastic upper and sturdy sole, Adamas is the synthesis of organic soul and ruthless technology. It is like a high-capacity creature from the world of cyberpunk, hiding a peaceful mind in the hardened shell, wandering on the edge of high urbanization. The sharp contrast of forms brings sensory stimulation.
Project Duration: The project started in March 2019 in Champaign, IL and finished in June 2019 in Champaign, IL, and was exhibited in Beijing in September 2020 and Los Angeles in April 2021.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Hengbo Zhang and Wenxi Qi, 2021
Team Members: Hengbo Zhang
Wenxi Qi
Image Credits: Image #1: Creator Hengbo Zhang and Wenxi Qi, Adamas, 2020.
Image #2: Creator Hengbo Zhang and Wenxi Qi, Adamas, 2020.
Image #3: Creator Hengbo Zhang and Wenxi Qi, Adamas, 2020.
Image #4: Creator Hengbo Zhang and Wenxi Qi, Adamas, 2020.
Image #5: Creator Hengbo Zhang and Wenxi Qi, Adamas, 2020.