Fab Lab Santiago - Maquinario
Building an Ecosystem for Innovation and Accessibility in Design
Fab Lab Santiago, a space dedicated to pioneering design, architecture, and technology, is where Maquinario came to life—a brand and platform offering access to design tools, education, and community support. As Head of Design, I led a team of four designers, managed product innovation workshops, and facilitated hands-on training in digital machinery.
Project details
Client
Fab Lab Santiago
Project
Fab Lab Santiago - Maquinario
Year
2018
Services
Service Design Strategic Design Industrial Design
Credits
How Can We Use Technology and Design to Solve Everyday Challenges?
Despite Chile’s growing interest in digital design, accessible resources for creators—especially those from under-resourced backgrounds—remained scarce. Designers and makers needed a space where they could experiment, access technology, and engage in a supportive community. The challenge was to create a sustainable model that made these tools accessible while also addressing real-world needs, from urban infrastructure to inclusive product design.
Key Personal Contribution: Leading Collaborative and Inclusive Design Initiatives
I worked closely with the brand directors and marketing team; we developed Maquinario into an empowering resource for creators of all ages and skill levels, while also advancing inclusive projects that addressed community needs across Santiago.
Collaboration was a cornerstone of being Head of Design at the Fab Lab Santiago. I collaborated with government bodies on public projects, helped orchestrate the 13th Fab Lab World Meeting, and guided our team in facilitating hands-on design thinking workshops. This cross-functional approach ensured that our projects were both innovative and deeply attuned to community needs.
Hypotheses: Empowerment Through Design
How Might We Foster Creativity by Making Technology and Knowledge Available to All?
We hypothesised that by creating accessible, technology-driven design experiences, we could empower individuals and communities to solve their own challenges. By offering resources, training, and collaborative opportunities, we believed the Fab Lab and Maquinario's brand could bridge the gap between technology and practical design for those who needed it most.
Research: Exploring Needs Across Santiago’s Communities
Our research process included community engagement to better understand local needs. I coordinated interviews and workshops with participants ranging from NGOs to local designers, I also spoke to local communities and public officials. This research validated the importance of making design education and technology both accessible and responsive to community needs.
Building a Scalable, Community-Driven Framework for Accessible Design
Our findings guided the development of Maquinario’s brand and service blueprint, ensuring that each product, workshop, and resource reflected user-centered principles. I led my team in designing a modular workshop framework that adapted to skill levels and integrated digital fabrication tools, making learning experiences flexible and inclusive. This synthesis work enabled us to deliver high-quality resources that both educated and empowered.
Solution / Impact: Turning Ideas into Action
Maquinario evolved into a powerful platform that provided Santiago’s designers and makers with essential tools and community support. Beyond product development, Maquinario facilitated projects that addressed specific needs, from inclusive children’s products to mapping urban spaces for safe cycling. Through our partnerships with the Chilean government, we were able to broaden our impact, making Maquinario a trusted community resource for meaningful, technology-driven design.
Summary and key lessons learned
This experience wasn’t just about designing—it was about empowering others to design. Through strategic planning, leading workshops, and developing branding strategies, I helped new talents bring their ideas to life. It pushed me to expand my practice and cultivate new skills, from product design to design leadership.
This was only a Glimpse.
I would love to share the full version with you. Connect with me on Linkedin or send me a message below.
