Weaver Zapata Terapeutikoak by Pear and Mulberry

Weaver Zapata Terapeutikoak by Pear and Mulberry is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award in Diseinu Sortzaile, Algoritmiko, Parametriko eta AA Lagundua Competition Category.

BrontzeDiseinu Sortzailea· 2025

Weaver Zapata Terapeutikoak

by Pear and Mulberry

Client: Pear and Mulberry

Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Diseinu Sortzailea Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Weaver Zapata Terapeutikoak

Weaver 8 eta 14 urte bitarteko haurrentzat diseinatutako zapata terapeutiko bat da. Zapata 3D eskaneatzearen, presio-mapaketaren eta modelatze parametrikoaren bidez garatzen da, haur bakoitzaren oinen formarekin bat datorren pare bat lortuz. Zapata osoa material bakar batean inprimatzen da 3D bidez, birziklagarria den termoplastiko poliuretanoan, eta horrek fabrikazioaren konplexutasuna eta hondakinak murrizten ditu. Print-knit goialdeak testilen ehunketa-egituren jarraitzen ditu eta norabidezko malgutasuna egonkortasunarekin konbinatzen du, horrela lokarriak beharrezkoak ez direla. Zonaka banatutako zolak presioa banatzen du eta oineko mina arintzen laguntzen du.

The Recognition

About the Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award

Weaver Zapata Terapeutikoak Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, sormenak, asmamenak eta zorroztasunak bereizten dituzten diseinu bikainei ematen zaien aitorpen oso prestijiotsua. Brontze-mailako irabazleak trebetasunez beteriko eta nabarmenki sortzaileak diren artefaktuak dira, beren diseinatzaileen esperientzia zabala, irudimena eta ekimena egiaztatzen dutenak. Weaver Zapata Terapeutikoak oso estimatua, miretsia eta maitea den objektua izatea espero da, nabarmenki profesionala eta berritzailea dena. Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu honek artearen, zientziaren, diseinuaren eta teknologiaren praktika onenak biltzen ditu eta xehetasunei ematen dien arretagatik bikaina da. Weaver Zapata Terapeutikoak beharrak bikain asetzen dituen, desirak ukitzen dituen, sentimenduak xarmatzen dituen eta jakin-mina erakartzen duen lana da.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This project is a pioneering therapeutic shoe system that leverages computational design and 3D printing to provide personalized foot care for children aged 8-14. Unlike conventional shoes, We|aver+ integrates parametric modeling, pressure mapping, and material anisotropy to create a tailored support-comfort balance. Its print-knit TPU upper mimics textile knitting structures while offering directional flexibility and stability, eliminating shoelaces and enhancing fit.
Dimensions & Packaging: Dimensions: 230mm x 85mm x 135mm
Material: Recyclable TPU
Fabrication: Full-body 3D printing with integrated print-knit upper and zoned cushioning sole
Design Parameters: Gait-adaptive sole structure, anisotropic flexibility, localized pressure distribution
Tags: therapeutic footwear, 3D printed shoes, parametric design, pediatric foot care, computational design, sustainable footwear, pressure mapping, AI-assisted design
Production Technology: It is produced using 3D scanning, pressure mapping, and parametric modeling to generate individualized shoe designs. The entire shoe is 3D printed in a single material (recyclable TPU), reducing manufacturing complexity and waste. By utilizing Grasshopper plug-ins (Kangaroo, Weaverbird, Mesh+, LunchBox) and DOE optimization, we fine-tune element thickness, porosity, and structural orientation for each foot’s unique needs.
Design Challenge: The biggest challenge was reconciling flexibility with structural support in a single-material, 3D-printed design. Overcoming material constraints, we engineered a knit-inspired TPU upper that adapts dynamically. Additionally, ensuring cost-effectiveness and sustainability for growing children’s feet required computational efficiency and recyclable materials. The project pushes the boundaries of generative design in medical footwear, merging biomechanics, AI-assisted customization, and additive manufacturing.
Research: We conducted design-driven research to develop personalized pediatric footwear. Objectives included optimizing support-flexibility balance, sustainable fabrication, and medical efficacy. Methodologies included 3D scanning, pressure mapping, and parametric modeling, analyzed using DOE simulations and material stress tests. Results showed that print-knit TPU structures improve directional stability, while zoned soles provide customized pain relief. Insights highlight the potential of data-driven footwear design in clinical applications.
Inspiration: It was inspired by the structural properties of hollow-loose knitting, commonly seen in textiles and chainmail, which achieve varying stiffness and stretch in different directions. This paradox of support and flexibility guided our parametric approach, where 3D scanning and computational optimization enabled customized footcare solutions.
Project Duration: The project began in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, with fabrication conducted at Harvard FabLab. The next phase involves IRB-approved user testing and material research collaboration with 3D printing start-ups in Boston.
Operation Flow: The shoes are personalized through foot scanning and pressure analysis, generating a custom design optimized for foot health. The print-knit TPU upper adapts snugly, eliminating the need for shoelaces, while the dynamic sole customizes zoning softness to relieve pressure-induced pain. Over time, the parametric bottom grid wear pattern helps monitor gait and diagnose foot pathologies.
Image Credits: PEAR & MULBERRY