#NEF "We are building a 'greenhouse' with a favourable environment for the growth of new products" - architect Mariana Baran

        During the European Days of Research and Innovation, Mariana Baran, an architect and project manager at METALAB, spoke about product workshops and what the technology for developing new products and supporting entrepreneurs in the process looks like from the inside. 

        We share the most interesting of Mariana's speech:

        – Before the full-scale invasion, METALAB's main focus was on working with the urban community and spaces through events of various formats: from festivals and fairs to events on professional topics for the communities of architects, designers, and urbanists. We are also developing the Parasolka open workshop and makerspace project. We are a part of Promprylad. It was a revelation for me that since the first days of the war, Promprylad has become a point of trust for many people. Such points of trust are key in communities and cities.

        – In the New Economy of Ivano-Frankivsk project, in which METALAB is a partner, the laboratory is responsible for sustainable construction and the development of the makerspace infrastructure. The main goal is to enable people with different competences to work on new product development, material research and collaborate with each other. Initially, we planned to hold two-day workshops, but later we realised that this process is longer and more involved, a bit like an incubator, and in addition to creating a physical product, we attract all sorts of expertise and advice that entrepreneurs lack.

        – The most frequent topics that entrepreneurs addressed to the laboratory were the creation of new materials. There is an interesting case of developing acoustic panels from textile waste. An important stage of such workshops is the formation of a precise technical task. We received a request to develop 3D models, and in the process we realised that we needed to go further than just a new design, we needed to add value to the new product. At the stage of formulating the terms of reference, we already involve expertise to help optimise resources in the product development process.

        More information on the website.

        Implement the "New Economy of Ivano-Frankivsk" project together with the Executive Committee of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council, the Promprylad.Renovation, innovation center, the METALAB urban laboratory, the PPV Knowledge Networks economic development agency, and the Warm City platform.