Designed by Dublin-based designer Eponine Leahy, Casca Lab is a retail store on Main Street in Vancouver that 3D prints footwear insoles on-site.
Co-founded by Braden Parker and Kevin Reid, Casca, a company that stresses sustainability and transparency, is known for its use of innovative technologies and high-quality materials.
Upon entering the store, customers are met with a bright and minimalist space of white tile walls and polished concrete flooring filled with wood furniture and shelving alongside greenery.
Behind a cloudy glass wall is an office and workshop where numerous 3D printers are stacked.
By 3D printing on-site, it also allows for a small scale and adaptable operation of easily customizable insoles, as opposed to mass production. In doing so, efficiency is increased and the amount of waste and CO2 emitted is also reduced.
“On a global scale, the footwear industry is among the most wasteful in the world. In creating the Casca shoe, we’ve strived to create a brand that inspires people to think more critically about shoes, and their own potential impact,” said Reid.
“Vancouver has established itself as a leader in technical fashion, with brands like Arc’teryx and lululemon leading the charge. We’re thrilled to take it a step further by showcasing this emerging technology in a direct way,” added Reid.
