We are super happy to introduce our eight new Distributed Design Residents, who will be realizing their projects at Happylab over the next few months!
Together with the Distributed Design Platform, Happylab is supporting creative talents working at the interface between design and the maker movement for the third time from September 2024 to March 2025. The selection was made via an open call and was based on criteria such as feasibility in the makerspace, the design and the social and ecological impact of the work.
In March 2025, the makers will present the results of their six-month residency. They have a lot planned until then and we will support them with a pro membership in the makerspace, training, project-related advice and studio space!
The Projects:
Lexi: Spring core rethought - Alexandra Pichler
With her project "Lexi", Alexandra is developing an innovative and sustainable alternative to conventional spring cores in seating furniture. Instead of the traditional, complex and difficult to repair spring core constructions, she uses 3D-printed spring elements made of PLA. These elements are printed in two parts, inserted into one another and connected by a barb. The individual springs can be easily replaced using a click and turn system. The "Lexi" project thus contributes to sustainable product use.
During the residency, Alexandra wants to further develop her 3D-printed spring elements and look at how the use of filling material and the assembly of upholstery fabrics could also work in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way.
Cardboardlab - Barbara Höller & Jochen Höller
With their Cardboardlab Barbara & Jochen Höller want to inspire people to create innovative design objects from cardboard scraps. To do this, the two are designing innovative DIY kits for recycled cardboard that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. These kits are intended to motivate people of all ages to be creative while promoting sustainable practices.
As part of their residency at Happylab, the two want to develop new design objects for the Cardboardlab and create prototypes.
Wood/hemp Wakeboard - Stefan Übermasser
Stefan works as a development engineer and project manager at the Austrian Institute of Technology and as a lecturer for data analysis and machine learning at the Wels University of Applied Sciences and the Technikum Wien. With his part-time company Mindcrafthing e.U., he develops new products that combine traditional craftsmanship with new technologies. His enthusiasm for (kite, wake, river) surfing led him to build boards from the most sustainable materials possible.
Based on his previous experience in building wake skates and surfboards, Stefan wants to develop a wake or kiteboard made of wood and hemp materials as part of the residency. Stefan's goal is to offer small series, DIY kits and DIY workshops for surfing enthusiasts.
Luminous Process: Einzigartige Lichtobjekte durch KI unterstütze Designprozesse - Helena Pinnel & Eric Prinz
Helena is a lighting planner and studied light and color design. Eric has IT experience, studied metal and product design and worked with young people in makerspaces. Together, the two research new design and manufacturing techniques and develop aesthetically pleasing products.
With their project "Luminous Process", Helena and Eric want to develop an innovative process as part of the residency that enables the design and manufacture of unique light objects through the use of AI and automated manufacturing processes. The aim is to develop a small series of light objects and luminaires for home use and at the same time to establish a scalable and traceable process that can also be used by others. Important: All light objects can be manufactured using the manufacturing technologies at Happylab. At the end of the process there is an open design process that results in a high-quality, locally manufactured small series of light objects.
Smart Plant - Jon García Aguado
Jon works in aerospace engineering and, as an avid lover of electronic devices, he developed Smart Plant. Smart Plant is a device that can measure a range of parameters such as soil moisture, ambient light, air temperature and relative humidity. In addition to the IoT function that transfers the data to home assistant platforms, the data can also be read directly on the integrated 2.9-inch e-paper display.
As part of the residency, Jon wants to further develop the existing prototype and make it a product that is suitable for everyone (not just people with programming skills).
Reconfigured - Stephanie Bauer
As the daughter of second-hand goods dealers, Stephanie has always crawled around flea markets and museums and has developed a passion for craftsmanship. With the "Reconfigured" project, she proposes a system for reusing found furniture elements. The project offers a kind of guerrilla strategy for furniture construction: the parts are categorized according to typology and function and assembled into new pieces of furniture. Supposed garbage is treated as a valuable resource and reintegrated into the usage cycle. The elements remain modular and reusable thanks to removable connections.
As part of the residency, Stephanie wants to further develop the connecting elements and experiment with various technologies (including 3D printing and injection molding).
