As an invisible laboratory, a community or communities, a soft global movement. Stemming from the concept of fablabs and markerspaces, the new venue for local non-profit organization Timelab in Gent had far-reaching ambitions.
After an intense research by design on different locations Timelab was granted a long lease of a former vermicelli factory and we guided them through what they describe as “a flagship for cooperation”, a “futureproof” workshop.
Conceived as a place where new systems of local production and consumption can be tested and implemented, they will host a variety of activities, projects, artists and organizations that aim to empower citizens with information, knowledge and skills in order to “change the behavior of the city dweller”.
The plans that a2o conceived include a coworking space, a prototyping lab, an auditorium, a bar and a communal garden as well as several studio’s that can be rented for a longer term. In the long run, 20 garage boxes on the site will be transformed into a small park.
The project aims to reactivate this deserted industrial site as a productive space. Moreover is deliberately reacts to the common practice in Belgian cities of filling such enclosed vacant areas with profitable garage boxes or parking spaces.
Instead the site is turned into a lively and inspiring public meeting place.
(text inspired by B. Cleppe, A+ 287)
