TransfoLAB ATH: Help us equip our space!

Hello! We are a group of creatives who decided to ask for your financial assistance in order to complete the renovation and equipment of our new co-working and makerspace located at Chalandri, Athens, Greece. Our purpose is to offer it, along with tools, educational programs and support, to creative enthusiasts of all ages looking for an environment to learn, research or develop their ideas.

Who We Are and What We Need From You

TransfoLAB ATH, as the first Center for Trash Investigation in Greece, is dedicated to the creative ecosystem in Athens focused on design, innovation, production and experimentation with waste, circular economy, social impact, participatory processes and environmental sustainability.

The Center is a collaboration between TransfoLAB BCN and CoLab House, aiming to offer space, tools, education and support to makers, designers, crafters, social innovators, architects, artists, students, DIY hobbyists and creative enthusiasts of all ages looking for an environment to develop and make their ideas, prototypes or projects. We offer support throughout the whole life cycle of the projects, including conception, planning, prototyping, production and promotion.

The Center in detail

TransfoLAB ATH, as a Center for Trash Investigation, aims to develop a creative hub that will unite the local community in Athens to learn, research, experiment, innovate and make through the application of circular economy, social impact, participatory processes and environmental sustainability.

More specifically, TransfoLAB ATH is focusing on:

-The creative ecosystem in Athens focused on design, innovation, production and experimentation with waste, circular economy and environmental sustainability. We offer the space, tools, education and support to makers, designers, architects, artists, students, DIY hobbyists and creative enthusiasts looking for an environment to develop and design their ideas or projects. We offer support throughout the whole life cycle of the projects, including conception, planning, prototyping, production, and promotion.

-Connecting the creatives and makers of Athens with the local community through events, makertons, creative challenges, pop-up markets and talks. We want to create a space for dialogue on very relevant topics of our time, such as climate change, circular economy, sustainable design and fabrication, material innovation, digital fabrication, self-sufficiency, and beneficial models for the environment that help reduce socioeconomic inequality.

-Awareness and education of citizens and societies about topics related to circularity, creative upcycling, material innovation, local and zero-waste fabrication, maker movement, self-sufficiency, and social inclusion through workshops and courses.

-Providing space and virtual tax address to professionals at our co-working space, making sure they have the opportunity to work and interact in a friendly and pleasant environment. Our ultimate purpose is to create the circumstances and opportunities where our community can collaborate, develop ideas and exchange skills through regular events and activities, such as networking meet-ups, talks and presentations.

-Social innovation and inclusion through activities and projects based on circular economy, design thinking and sustainable fabrication/making. We research, innovate and develop programs that connect the social with the circular economy, as key drivers for inclusion, self-development and independence.

Our space will host the following facilities and services:

Co-Working space
We offer a space for all kinds of professionals, including designers, architects and social innovators, to work, learn and grow. Our packages offer daily and monthly passes that can be adjusted to the needs of individuals. Our co-working area offers private and shared spaces for meetings, virtual meetings and conferences. To support our members, we offer the possibility for virtual tax address to freelancers and companies, without any long-term office rental commitment (up to 12 months contract).

Makerspace
This space provides the tools and the training necessary to support makers, designers, architects, artists, jewellers, students, DIY hobbyists and creative enthusiasts looking for a place to design and develop their ideas or projects. The goal of TransfoLAB ATH is to build a creative community in Chalandri and the wider Athens area, focusing on design, innovation, production and experimentation with waste, circular economy and environmental sustainability. It offers support throughout the project life-cycle, including conception, design, prototyping, production and promotion, with the environment as a priority.

Innovation & Education Lab
Workshop corner: Educational workshops for children and adults are held in this area, within the framework of TransfoAcademy. It is a non-formal education program developed by TransfoLAB BCN that offers customised workshops, capacity building, courses, training and lectures to institutions (schools, universities, colleges, etc.), individuals (children, youth and adults in retraining /lifelong learning) and companies. We use design, manufacturing, material innovation and the circular economy as tools for this program, all through participatory processes. At TransfoLAB ATH, we have adapted TransfoAcademy’s educational workshops to the local needs and challenges.

Precious Plastics workshop: Using this plastic recycling method, we wish to contribute to the improvement of waste management. Through educational programs for children and adults, the ultimate goal is to inform and change the recycling culture in the wider area of Chalandrι and Athens in general.

Biomaterials Lab: In our lab we will innovate and educate on methods and recipes that produce (bio)materials from organic waste. These biomaterials are intended to replace plastic, leather and other materials that have a heavy environmental footprint.

Digital Fabrication Lab: In this area we will explore the application and provide services with digital technology, such as CNC router, Laser cutter and 3d printer. The aim of the Digital Fabrication Lab is to support makers, designers, architects, artists, students, DIY hobbyists and creativity enthusiasts in their efforts to realise their projects.

Events
In this space we will host a multitude of events, such as corporate events, team building activities, screenings, discussions, presentations, speeches, seminars, activities within the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programs, pop-up markets, birthday parties and more. Our aim is to form a space for dialogue and learning on a wide range of topics, with a particular emphasis on climate change, the circular economy, sustainable design and construction, material innovation, digital manufacturing, self-sufficiency and beneficial models for the environment that contribute in reducing socio-economic inequality.

Creative birthday workshops for children: we believe that children’s birthday parties can be even more fun, while also offering knowledge and creative paths.

Projects: we have realized a variety of Erasmus+ projects that include trainings, meetings, non-formal learning, live streaming, podcasts, video making and many more (you can see more details on some of them here and here).