SUPERLOCAL and its Production Hub 1

Initiated by Andrea de Chirico in 2015, a project that many of you have already heard of, SUPERLOCAL is a global network that promotes local production.

Born as an alternative to current production methods, SUPERLOCAL pays particular attention to the social and environmental feasibility of industrial processes. Everything is based on the real networks that can be generated between different parts within a city, and which in turn bring economic and cultural value back. Specifically, the process is relocated within the urban infrastructure, like a conveyor belt, creating new local production lines. SUPERLOCAL’s goal is to expand local economy and encourage community awareness of which activities can be found nearby. The project results in an open database of everyday objects, and provides consumers with access to a system for producing practical objects using both digital and traditional craft techniques. Over the years, various networks have been activated, and therefore new products. From the first collection in Eindhoven, today SUPERLOCAL has developed projects in Rome, Bolzano, Arles and London.

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Made possible by the support of Driving The Human, this phase of the research, in constant development, is the design of a physical place, the SUPERLOCAL Production Hub 1. The space has been created with the function of coordinating the local production lines which are activated in the neighbourhood and will also function as a centre for organising activities, workshops and classes reaching out and in direct contact with the town existing networks. The main aim is to promote a more sustainable development by creating a strong bond with the local production and, above all, between people and materials. In fact, as consumers, the only way to be able to make conscious choices is to understand the production process. Andrea proposes an alternative scenario to mass production in which, thanks to these centers, the citizen is able to understand all stages of production.

At the moment the hub has been presented with a 1:25 scale model, which is being constantly implemented. To see the entire collection of SUPERLOCAL objects by Andrea de Chirico visit his website and follow the project on Instagram!
Cover ph. credits Camille Blake

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