Architect Michael Ford has found a new way to express hip-hop culture through textiles and wallcoverings. The collaboration with commercial textiles brand Momentum brings rhythm to commercial interiors. Ford, known for his work on The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx, distilled the essence of the culture into a range of colorful patterns. These designs represent the energy of the music genre rather than creating a literal translation.
Rhythm in the Weave
Ford’s goal was to let the fabrics carry the rhythm, motion, and honesty of hip-hop. The collection includes five distinct patterns, each pulling from a different part of the culture. These include movement, typography, and sampling. Ford says the patterns speak to the innovation and genius found within the elements of hip-hop. The designs aim to serve the needs of designers and the spaces they shape.
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The collection features Jacquard textiles named Cypher, Dance Off, and Bronx Composition. It also includes a wallcovering called Flow Chart. Each product is available in multiple colorways to suit different design needs. Ford believes that even without a deep knowledge of the music, a viewer can feel the energy of the culture in the materials.
Finding the Flow
Ford partnered with his son, Mason, to create the Breakin’ wallcovering. Mason used his father’s digital tools to draw figurative breakdancers. The resulting designs feature kinetic lines that mimic breakdancing. Ford says the lines twist, turn, and collide like bodies in a cypher. The textiles feel alive and full of energy.
The Breakin’ pattern began as a sketch by Mason. Ford doctored the design and modified the colors. He describes the final textile as carrying the same sense of motion as the original sketches. This personal connection to the work highlights the importance of family and creativity in the design process. The resulting collection serves as a tribute to his son and the culture they both explore.
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It is not uncommon for architects to draw from their personal lives for inspiration. However, Ford’s approach goes deeper. He is focused on opening up opportunities for historically marginalized communities. He wants people who do not see themselves represented in the architecture world to find a pathway into the profession. His nonprofit, Hip Hop by Design, runs a camp that introduces young people to architecture through music and creative problem-solving. This work ensures that the culture he designs into textiles reaches a new generation.
Momentum’s chief marketing and creative officer, Jennifer Nye, notes that the company looks for designers with a deep story to tell. The brand has a history of collaborating with artists who are good people designing for good. Ford fits this criteria. His work on the new textiles and wallcoverings continues to expand the visual language of hip-hop in the built environment. Specifiers are encouraged to use the materials in unexpected ways. Ford envisions the Breakin’ pattern in academic spaces, particularly K–12 schools where young people are learning. This would be an ultimate nod to his son and the culture they both love.