With CoFactory, Designtech wanted to create “an innovative workplace and a new model that catalyses three-dimensional innovation, projecting design and manufacturing into the future, in an urban, collaborative and sustainable format,” says Ivan Tallarico, CEO and co-founder together with Patrizia Vavassori, Alessandro de Cillis, Domenico Greco and Emil Abirascid.
The space is located in the northwest suburbs of Milan, in the Certosa area, and is a project promoted by RealStep, the real estate development company specialising in the sustainable urban regeneration of former industrial sites. The design of the hub is by Pininfarina Architecture studio.
CoFactory is a true innovative urban factory, open to companies, start-ups, and designers, which responds to the need for 3D prototyping and natively digital and sustainable production. A place where it is possible to rely on the skills of hosted partners and use new technologies.
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The CoFactory project
Pininfarina Architecture has redeveloped 1500 square metres on two levels, trying to reduce the complexity of operations both in the design and in the production and assembly phase: to give an example, the mezzanine and partitions were assembled on site, reducing construction time and waste, and some panels were processed thanks to the machinery already present during the construction phases. The interior is characterised by two areas: the workshop with CNC machines and rapid prototyping tools; an area with offices, meeting rooms and co-working and social spaces.
Accessibility of services
CoFactory not only aims to bring three-dimensional innovation, up-to-date technology and sustainability to the city, but also wants to contribute to the social growth of the neighbourhood thanks to Realstep and the redevelopment and definition of new services that it follows. In concrete terms, the company is responsible for organising a series of initiatives to involve the neighbourhood, such as during the Fuorisalone 2023 and 2024 in which representatives of citizens and residents of the area had the opportunity to visit the CoFactory spaces (still a construction site in 2023) and better understand its activities.
Another important initiative is aimed at schools, as Patrizia Vavassori tells us: “We are currently in dialogue with several possible partners – PoliHub and PoliDesign of the Politecnico di Milano, NABA, IED, the Artwood Academy, but also local technical institutes and many other realities – with the aim of activating forms of collaboration for training: educational modules, workshops, creating a real learning factory and helping all those realities that do not have a laboratory to use.”
While this activity is still under development, there is another initiative to mention, again dedicated to young people: CoFactory, in fact, also offers the possibility for students from certain institutes to undertake internships in the digital fabrication team, as technicians for additive manufacturing or subtractive technologies. A way to help young people gain experience and learn about the latest technologies.
For more information on CoFactory, the spaces dedicated to professionals and the activities that take place, visit the website and follow the page on instagram!
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Ph. courtesy