Weaver Kaupapa Matua: Hū Whakaora by Pear and Mulberry

Weaver Kaupapa Matua: Hū Whakaora by Pear and Mulberry is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Parahi in Hoahoa Hanga, Hātepe, Tawhā me te AI-Āwhina Competition Category.

ParahiHoahoa Hanga· 2025

Weaver Kaupapa Matua: Hū Whakaora

by Pear and Mulberry

Client: Pear and Mulberry

A' Design Award Parahi Winner in Hoahoa Hanga Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #170962

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Weaver Kaupapa Matua: Hū Whakaora

Kōrero Pukapuka: Ko Weaver he hū whakaora i hoahoatia mō ngā tamariki e 8 ki te 14 tau te pakeke. I whakawhanaketia te hū mā te matawai 3D, te whakamapi pēhanga, me te tauira parametric, nā reira ka hāngai tētahi takirua ki te āhua o ngā waewae o tētahi tamaiti. Ka taatai 3D-tia te hū katoa mā te kirihou thermoplastic polyurethane hangarite kotahi, e whakaiti ana i te uauatanga hanga me te para. Ko te hiku matawhaiwhai-taatai e whai ana i ngā hanganga miro whatu, e whakakotahi ana i te ngāwaritanga ahunga me te pūmautanga, nā reira kāore he taura hū e hiahiatia. Ko te turupou rohenga e tohatoha ana i te pēhanga, ā, e āwhina ana ki te whakamāma i te mamae waewae.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Parahi

Ko Weaver Kaupapa Matua: Hū Whakaora te toa o te A' Design Award Parahi, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa kōeke e tohua ana mā te auaha, te mahi mōhio me te whakaaro hōhonu. Ko ngā toa Parahi he mahi pukenga e rite ana, he auaha mīharo, e whakatūturu ana i te wheako nui, te whakaaro me te mōhio-ā-ringa o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Weaver Kaupapa Matua: Hū Whakaora he taonga whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he ngaio, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Parahi e whakauru ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa i te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau, ā, he tino mīharo ki ngā taipitopito. Ka whakatutuki a Weaver Kaupapa Matua: Hū Whakaora i ngā hiahia, ka pā ki ngā hiahia, ka whakaoho i ngā kare-ā-roto, ā, ka kume i te pākiki.

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