VIRTUAL London Heritages Conference

Abstract

This paper examines how computational design can engage with cultural heritage through the project Tatreez Patterns in Python, which reinterprets traditional Palestinian embroidery using generative code. The project translates the geometric principles of Tatreez into programmable systems, offering a method for exploring cultural identity through digital pattern-making. Using Python-based scripting, the project applies rule-based logic to construct compositions rooted in repetition, symmetry, and modularity, features that define both embroidery and architectural ornamentation. The algorithm is designed to generate dynamic visual outcomes that echo the mathematical structure of traditional craft while introducing opportunities for abstraction and variation. Through this process, the project repositions Tatreez as an adaptable system rather than a fixed visual tradition. The research approaches computation as a creative material, examining how digital tools can support both preservation and innovation. By shifting heritage from static reference to procedural framework, the work encourages new forms of authorship, storytelling, and formal exploration. It highlights the potential for code to serve as a medium that interacts with cultural logic and spatial rhythm. This paper contributes to broader conversations about the role of digital craft in contemporary art and design in preserving heritage. It proposes a methodology that combines computational aesthetics with historical knowledge, bridging traditional textile practice with current design technologies. In doing so, it offers new ways to understand and activate cultural heritage through system-based design thinking.