Personal Fabrication: Fab Labs as Platforms for Citizen-Based Innovation, from Microcontrollers to Cities

Abstract

The “digital fabrication” revolution being lived today, both in knowledge creation and in technological developments will become more than a simple formal exploration in architecture and design, or a set of tools exclusive to advanced industries. New tools and processes are becoming more accessible to the masses and are being shared all over the world through Internet platforms, with an open source philosophy, both in software and hardware. The collective mind that is being empowered everyday will define the future of production in the life of mankind and its relation with the environment. The role of architects, engineers, designers and many other professionals, will be reshaped and reconfigured to fit into new models of production and creation. These will need to be supported by new manufacturing platforms, knowledge generating and sharing know-how.