architecture as a vessel for thought

standing at the western edge of the salk institute, one is met with an uninterrupted horizon—sky, ocean, and light merging into a seamless gradient. designed by louis kahn in 1965, the salk institute is more than a research center; it is an exploration of space, light, and possibility. here, boundaries dissolve—between inside and outside, between art and science, between the known and the undiscovered. the institute’s architecture is mathematically precise yet deeply poetic. the travertine courtyard, bisected by the famed river of life, draws the eye toward the pacific, reinforcing an orientation that keeps researchers engaged with nature. this seamless integration of structure and landscape cultivates an environment where ideas flow as freely as the light that moves across its surfaces.

it was here that remnants interviewed one of salk’s researchers, exploring how the institute’s architecture fosters creativity and interdisciplinary discovery. this dialogue illuminated the deep parallels between scientific inquiry and the creative process behind kinetic ss25, a capsule collection designed in collaboration with painter vineta rendler, co-founder of open ended, a 3d-printed accessory brand.

“the salk institute was the first research center to explicitly embrace the meeting of science and art,” the researcher shared.

much like scientific research, the design process for kinetic ss25 is iterative—experiments in form, movement, and materiality shape the final outcome. natural dyes, refined through trial and error, lend the garments an organic depth, their hues shifting like the pacific under changing light. embroidery tracing the geometry of shells reflects the mathematical harmony found in nature, a theme deeply embedded in vineta’s artistic practice. raised along the coast, both of us found inspiration in the shifting structures of la jolla’s tidepools, where water and stone continually reshape one another.

“doing fundamental, foundational research is intrinsically creative,” the researcher explained. “a scientist approaching a mysterious phenomenon is much like a painter confronting a blank canvas.”

skin + bones: fashion and architecture as intersecting disciplines

the skin + bones: parallel practices in fashion and architecture exhibition explored the evolving relationship between these disciplines, emphasizing how advances in materials and digital technology have reshaped both fields. the exhibition highlighted how architecture, once defined by permanence, has increasingly embraced fluidity and lightness, while fashion, once ephemeral, has explored structure and engineering. this dialogue aligns with the philosophy of the salk institute, where science and creativity merge to push the boundaries of knowledge.

kinetic ss25 exists within this framework of interdisciplinary thinking. the collection does not seek to mimic architecture, but rather to engage with its principles—balance, proportion, and the interplay between structure and movement. the garments integrate methods akin to those explored in skin + bones—using geometric precision to construct forms that respond dynamically to the body, much like an architect designs spaces that respond to their environment.

at salk, interdisciplinary research is not simply collaboration but the merging of methodologies to unlock complexities beyond a single discipline.

“interdisciplinary at the salk institute typically refers to an experimental approach that blends molecular genetics, physiology, neuroscience, and ai to push the boundaries of understanding,” the researcher noted.

this philosophy is at the heart of kinetic ss25. inspired by the architectural rhythm of the salk institute and the logic of natural forms, the garments balance geometric structure with organic motion. seams act as architectural joints, fabric moves in response to the body’s movement, and silhouettes emerge from a calculated interplay of form and function.

this relationship between material and form recalls the work of designers featured in skin + bones, such as hussein chalayan, whose garments incorporated engineering principles to create dynamic, shape-shifting silhouettes, and issey miyake, whose fabric manipulations explored structure through textile innovation. much like these designers, kinetic ss25 is a study in how physical materials can express conceptual ideas.

the open flow of innovation

when asked about architecture’s impact on innovation, the researcher reflected:

“the open design of the salk institute—vast, light-filled research floors—was intentional. it promotes spontaneous collaboration, dissolving rigid boundaries between disciplines.”

this fluidity resonates within our creative practice. the kinetic ss25 collection is not confined by fashion alone; it engages with architecture, movement, and philosophy, existing at the threshold of disciplines. structured yet soft, intentional yet unrestricted—it is a testament to the interplay between the measurable and the unmeasurable.

“narrative and storytelling are essential in making scientific research accessible,” the researcher emphasized. “scientists are often asked: ‘what is your story?’”

in fashion, as in science, storytelling is essential. our garments are not simply textiles stitched together but a translation of inquiry into form. just as a research paper distills years of experimentation into a cohesive narrative, kinetic ss25 captures a season of exploration, process, and refinement. vineta’s work reinforces this storytelling—bridging the tangible and intangible, the mathematical and the spiritual—through her studies of natural geometry and intelligent design.

a convergence of thought

shooting kinetic ss25 at the salk institute was more than a choice of location; it was a reflection of shared values. both the institute and remnants exist at the intersection of art, science, and architecture, where form follows function and ideas manifest as physical structures.

in the same way that the salk institute stands as a monument to exploration, our collection seeks to embody the spirit of discovery, reminding us that the most profound innovations emerge where fields converge and where curiosity leads the way forward.

resources:
broadhurst, ron, et al. skin + bones: parallel practices in fashion and architecture. museum of contemporary art, los angeles, 2006.