Textile Dye Garden

By Gina Gregorio

"Pratt's Textile Dye Garden integrates traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary sustainability practices, addressing UN Sustainable Development Goal #11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Located on Pratt Institute's Brooklyn campus on Lenapehoking territory, the garden grows plants specifically selected for their natural dyeing properties while honoring Indigenous knowledge.

Key Initiatives:

Design Elective course exploring materiality, science, and cultural context of natural dyes across multiple disciplines
Faculty Fellowship ""Sharing the Yield"" project engaging diverse departments with curated dye kits
STEAMplant curriculum for fourth-grade students combining art with ecology, botany, and chemistry
Innovative soil health visualization research using soil chromatography
Student development through specialized projects in papermaking, natural cosmetics, and indigo experiments
Community Impact:
Regular workshops teaching sustainable dyeing techniques
Documentation and preservation of traditional ecological knowledge
Support for urban biodiversity through native and pollinator-friendly plants
Reduction of harmful synthetic chemicals through natural alternatives
Active participant engagement from both Pratt and local communities
Alignment with Urban Community Design:

Participatory processes fostering skill-building and knowledge exchange
Material circularity and local production systems
Cultural preservation through respectful documentation
Equitable access and intergenerational learning opportunities
The Textile Dye Garden exemplifies how research can engage community development while addressing environmental challenges in urban contexts. Through cross-disciplinary programming, our project creates multiple pathways for engagement with sustainable practices, honoring traditional knowledge while building resilience for urban communities."