Design HOPES

Design HOPES is a research project based in Scotland in 5 different Scottish Universities and many NHS sites, exploring how the NHS can transition to zero carbon emissions by 2040. Textiles are a key part of this green transition, and are used in hospitals everywhere from bandages and bed linen, to scrubs and hospital gowns. Rosie is part of the Design HOPES team at Heriot-Watt University, as part of her PhD research, and is leading a section of this project on flax. She is collaborating with Sarah Bowyer, Laura MacLean and the ELVES team to grow flax at Mountain Hall and New Craigs hospitals, and with Niki Taylor and Lewis Urquhart on making a set of scrubs from linen grown and processed by Fantasy Fibre Mill. There are upcoming exhibitions on this work at the V&A Dundee and Design Musieum London planned for Autumn 2025. Learn more here: Design HOPES

Close up of Fantasy Fibre Mills flax spinning machine prototype. Photo by Lauren Bloor

Nick speaking at the Design SHIFT syposium in Glasgow. Photo by Lauren Bloor

Rosie showing off the weaving of Fantasy Fibre Mill Yarn by Brigitte Kaltenbacher. Photo by Lauren Bloor.

Close up of wires and pin drafting belt on the Fantasy Fibre Mill spinning machine prototype. Photo by Lauren Bloor.

Nick adjusting the spinning machine at Design SHIFT symposium. Photo by Lauren Bloor.

Flax growing at New Craig Hospital, NHS Highlands. Photo by Sarah Bowyer.

Flax flowers blooming at Phantassie Farm. Photo by Rosie Bristow.

Flax growing at Strathclyde Uni with Design HOPES sign. Photo by Lewis Urquhart.

Flax growing at Strathclyde Uni. Photo by Lewis Urquhart.

Close up of Design HOPES flax sign. Photo by Sarah Bowyer. sign

Sewing flax seeds at Mountain Hall hospital, NHS Dumfries and Galloway. Photo by Laura MacLean.