Making Places Last Sustainable Homes & Communities

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1 Making Places Last Sustainable Homes & Communities Geoff Henderson, FRSA Founder Urban Hax exploring the art of the possible

2 Sustainability Through Creativity Geoff Henderson Director Urban Hax CIC

3 Urban Hax is a non-profit makerspace based in and servicing communities in the Black Country. Its mission is to build a community of makers, designers and innovators from a wide range of creative sectors who come together to share their knowledge, skills and crafts with other members of the community.

4 Our goals are: To build upon the knowledge of others To establish a creative space where people can come together to nurture the basic human desire to design and make To give access to tools and equipment that aren t readily available or affordable Through talks, classes, workshops, collaborative projects and other activities we want to encourage enterprise, research, knowledge exchange and learning in a safe, clean and friendly space

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11 Inspiration socioeconomic factors The economy isn t working for all The social fallout is damaging to all Health and wellbeing is at a low ebb for many Increased social isolation Little by way of community cohesion Low skills base Low aspiration Increased crime/substance dependency Low wage economy including graduates

12 Inspiration from elsewhere The Lunar Society Fab Labs Artisan s Asylum Artisan 21 Project

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14 Fab Labs A Fab Lab is a technical prototyping platform for innovation and invention, providing stimulus for local entrepreneurship. It s a platform for learning and innovation: a place to play, to create, to learn, to mentor, to invent. To be a Fab Lab means connecting to a global community of learners, educators, technologists, researchers, makers and innovators- -a knowledge sharing network that spans 30 countries and 24 time zones Formed in 2009

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16 Artisan 21 Report

17 Artisan 21 Report The world is undergoing dramatic changes in its alldifferent spheres: the development of technology shapes the demands of the society and people s lifestyles. This project reflects the latest developments and considers the emergence of the artisan as an entrepreneur, combining creative imagination with business skills and emerging technology.

18 Artisan 21 Report Principle Challenges Identified Most of craft-makers expressed their concern about the lack of spaces where they could perform their craft activity, meet like-minded people and share their ideas and skills with them. The high price of such technological equipment or materials limits the amount of people who can get access to use it on a daily basis and experiment in the making process. Even if the access issue would be overcome, the gap in knowledge and skills how to use it will still remain Craft-makers should not underestimate the power of design rights, trademarking and licensing that could bring an added value to their branding and positioning strategy. Storytelling is essential in increasing customers awareness about the creative and making process around products and in helping them realise the value of unique crafted objects.

19 Aspiration future trends The Makerspace Network Collaboration between disparate makerspaces/fab Labs Playing to each other s strengths Two-way referrals Sweat the high (and low) tech assets Economies of scale in materials purchase Skills and enterprise Discrete and multidisciplinary skills developed New enterprises based on new forms of art/craft/making Public/Private/Academic/Third Sector Collaboration A new collaborative renaissance? Asset transfer for community benefit/economic activity Cradle to grave learning leading to new opportunities

20 Aspiration a visionary case study Makerspace to Debut In Walsh Development In April [2017], the [1,700acre, $6 billion] Walsh development in Fort Worth [Texas] will become the first master-planned community in the country to debut a dedicated maker space. The Makerspace at Walsh will feature a wood shop, computer design software and 3D printers, laser cutters, robotics and an electronics lab. The 2,000-square-foot building will be the first of several planned for a 2-acre village amenity, said the developer, Dallas-based Republic Property Group.

21 Ambition what may be possible Enhanced health & wellbeing Increased community cohesion New skills and enteprise COMMUNITY MAKERSPACE Greater sense of purpose Bridging age and gender divides Reduced isolation