The present invention concerns a method for encoding a given 3D shape into a target 2D linkage. The method comprises: (a) providing an initial 2D surface; and (b) defining on the initial 2D surface an auxetic pattern of geometric elements planarly linked between them to obtain the target 2D linkage, the pattern allowing the target 2D linkage to be virtually stretched. The target 2D linkage has a spatially varying scale factor thereby spatially varying the stretching capability of the 2D linkage.