FOOTWEAR, FASHION, PRODUCT DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
SPN-TEC is a collection of 100% recyclable shoes that are deviating from the visual stereotype of sustainable design. They are a derivative of my previous project PIN-TEC. An average shoe is made up out of 62 individual panels that are glued, sewn or nailed together and that are very difficult to take apart. Making it almost impossible to recycle them. The SPN-TEC shoes are completely digitally designed and are constructed with zero glue, zero stitches and zero material contamination while still using the same materials as our current everyday footwear.
The shoes are held together by the SPN-TEC module that contains a ratchet system and 4 cables that connect to the 3D-printed rubber outsole cage. This semi flexible outsole wraps around spikey PU foam midsoles where the spikes protrude through the cutout holes in the cage to firmly connect them to each other. These midsoles are poured with liquid foam in 3d printed moulds. Some models have EVA uppers that are vacuum formed and heat welded. A specific structure made out of recycled soda bottles is used to hold the whole shoe together and make it adjustable.
The SPN-TEC system introduces a digitally sculpted footwear collection embodying zero material contamination, full recyclability, and complete transparency. Beyond its sustainability, the collection boasts visual allure, harmonizing eco-consciousness with aesthetic appeal.
Very special thanks to:
StudioOverlab
Marleen Ettema
Thijs Janssen
FormX Amsterdam
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SPN-TEC PROJECT HERE
03. PIN-TEC (2024)
The PIN-TEC project is situated 150 years in the future where our world has changed due to global warming. The landscape is changing rapidly, turning from glacier to swamp to desert in a matter of days. In order to navigate these conditions I created a system of modular shoe parts that are connected through the PIN-TEC latch system. These modular parts consisting of outsole’s, uppers and attachments have a specific function for each weather condition. The parts match to create an ice climbing boot, Dune Walker and the Hydroplat made for walking through swamps and flooded areas. All parts have button-like connection points on critical construction areas that get connected to each other by semi flexible loops that clip onto the connection pin thus creating the PIN-TEC footwear series.
I'm Sam van Dalen.
Graduated in 2024 at ArtEZ Arnhem in Product Design.
Passionate about design, footwear, wearables, fashion, 3D printing, technology and sustainability.
For my graduation project SPN-TEC I created a collection of digitally sculpted footwear connecting all these passions, showing that sustainability does not have to mean a restriction in design.
Have a look here and read the story behind the design and check out my other projects from my archive.
My skill set includes 5 years of experience in 3D printing and design, including excellent skills in Rhinoceros and NomadSculpt. In my work I combine mostly digital tools with fashion. My skills include creating concepts, clothing and accessories but also specialty products, showroom items, sample production and footwear.
Next to these digital skills I also have vast knowledge of materials, production techniques and physical tools.
Ranging from woodworking, metalworking to sewing, printing and footwear crafting.
During my 2023 internship I was a designer and product developer at La Fam Amsterdam for 5 months.
After which I’ve kept working at La Fam for an extra year working on 3D projects, concepts, specialty products, showrooms, and sample production.
I’m fluent in English, Dutch and Adobe:)
and always eager to learn and expand my knowledge.
Interested to know more or open to discuss future collaborations?
Send me a message on: samvdalen@icloud.com
I’m also the founder of SNIRP, my startup fashion and lifestyle brand – based in Amsterdam, available through my webshop snirpamsterdam.com (WIP).
Have a nice day!
2024
SPN-TEC
FEATURED IN THE
BNO DUTCH DESIGN YEARBOOK
2026
SNEAKER EVOLUTION
HET SCHOENEN-
KWARTIER
SNIRP X SOOF
FFF
2025
FORMNEXT
POLYMAKER
SPN-TEC²
2024
DUTCH DESIGN WEEK AT
MANIFESTATIONS
SPN-TEC
2024
ARTY PARTY
MELKWEG
SPN-TEC
2020-2024 GRADUATED PRODUCT DESIGN ARTEZ ARNHEM
2023
FOUNDED
SNIRP AMSTERDAM
2025
SNEAKER EVOLUTION
HET SCHOENEN-
KWARTIER
PROCESS VIDEO INSTALLATION
SP-01
2025
SNIRP RELEASES IT’S FIRST SHOE THE
SP-01
2025
SNEAKER EVOLUTION
HET SCHOENEN-
KWARTIER
SPN-TEC
2025
AMSTERDAM FASHION WEEK
STUDIO WRTMN
LAST REFUGE
FOOTWEAR DESIGN
2024/2025
KALEIDOSCOPE
UNKNOWN ART GALLERY
SPN-TEC
2026
PORTFOLIO SITE
FOR ANY INQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT:
SAMVDALEN@ICLOUD.COM