austin + mergold: 'A+M bowler' for hat itecture

austin + mergold: ‘A+M bowler’ for hat itecture

‘anyone can go by horse or rail, but the absolute best way to travel is by hat.‘ – lewis carroll, alice in wonderland

in 1849, london hat makers thomas and william bowler designed the bowler as a close-fitting hat to protect gamekeepers’ heads from low hanging branches while on horseback. in the following century, no hat would become more synonymous with london itself. american architects austin+mergold have reinterpreted the bowler in a sustainable version. its recycled corrugated cardboard layers keep the sun’s rays at bay while providing ventilation. at the same time, the hat is both adaptable to the whims of fashion as it can be easily painted in any color.

front view

left: ‘son of man’ by rené magritte, 1964 right: ‘A + M bowler. 2010

‘A + M’ 3D model

‘A + M bowler’ is part of hat-itecture, a pop-exhibition organized by hat designer gabriela ligenza and you & me as part of the london festival of architecture until july 18, 2010. young artists, architects, and designers were challenged to create hats drawing from their visions of london.

other submissions included ‘ant hill’ by riitta ikonen

left:’brick hat’ by klassnik corporation right: ‘green park’ by lucie reuter

to view more of other hat designs, watch the video here.