From Concept to Creation: Midterm Progress on the YouRban Projects
YouRban Residencies at FabLab Barcelona has transformed initial artistic concepts into prototypes that challenge our understanding of urban sustainability
The YouRban Project—a co-creative ecosystem dedicated to the recycling of Fiber-Reinforced polymers (FRP) has reached a critical milestone. As we pass the Midterm Review, the residency at FabLab Barcelona has transformed initial artistic concepts into engineered prototypes that challenge our understanding of urban sustainability.
Throughout the first phase of the project, the Fab Lab Barcelona team has provided specialized technical and design-for-manufacture support to each of the residents. The primary objective has been to ensure the technical feasibility of the proposals and optimize the application of rFRP (recycled fiber-reinforced polymer) materials.
Here is a look at the progress made across all projects as they prepare for final fabrication and the Final exhibition in May.
1. PebbleScape: Nature Islands for Resilience
Team TOKA Design have spent the residency refining a modular urban furniture system inspired by river pebbles.
- The Evolution: To meet fabrication constraints, the team drastically reduced the furniture’s size while maintaining its multi-generational functionality.
- The Technical Leap: They developed a clever “single-mold” strategy, where one mold produces two mirrored shells that are later joined to create a closed volume.
- Material Testing: Focus was placed on achieving a specific “warm pebble grey” colour with recycled fiber sparkles.
2. Zelliges – Mosaics: Playful Geometry
Andres Siri has taken the ancient Moroccan art of zellige and reimagined it for modern urban play.
- CAD to Volume: Starting with 32 selected geometric patterns, the project evolved from 2D drawings to complex 3D volumes (crystallography).
- Prototyping: Siri successfully used CNC-cut foam molds to cast 18 plaster pieces, testing the balance and surface finishes of the designs before moving to final rFRP production.
3. Seeding Stillness: Urban Shade and Calm
Javier Masa is addressing urban overheating through a site-specific installation in Barcelona: hybrid planter-seating unit
- Hybrid Design: The design shifted to a more efficient hybrid model: the modular bench is made of rFRP, while the shading system uses a lightweight metallic structure and 3D-printed rotating mechanisms.
- Expert Consultation: The team conducted rigorous tests on curved shading modules to ensure the rotation system could withstand public use.
4. AI-Enhanced Bike Station
The Sensifai team is tackling urban clutter with a high-tech solution: a smart bike station
- Modular Engineering: The station is comprised of eight interlocking rFRP segments that form a circular array (parking area) without needing adhesives, allowing for easy disassembly and recycling.
- AI Integration: The project includes a 3D-printed central hub housing a YOLO-v8 AI model deployed on a Jetson Nano to manage bike parking effectively.
5. A Letter for the City
Vicente Varella is reclaiming urban narratives through playful signage.
- Reclaiming Space: The project consists of three oversized “shopping cart” signs that highlight waste management narratives.
- Assembly Innovation: To fit fabrication limits, each large cart is broken into three interlocking pieces. Varella has been testing gloss finishes and engraving techniques to expose the internal fibers of the recycled material.
6. Replastic Lamps
Rosa Llinars is pushing the boundaries of rFRP translucency with her modular lamp designs.
- Modularity: Her work shifted from a fixed design to a system of modular parts that can be used in both urban and private contexts.
- Material Research: She has been experimenting with varying resin-to-fiber ratios to find the “perfect amber” glow for public lighting while researching safety regulations for public scaling.
7. Yggdrasil: Modular Public Furniture
Javier Masa (NMASA Design) is creating a dual-function prototype that serves as both a planter and a bench support.
- Full-Scale Focus: Masa decided to focus on producing a single, high-quality 1:1 scale piece rather than an entire collection to ensure structural integrity.
- Testing Strength: Recent efforts have focused on using CNC-cut foam molds to avoid visible seams and testing pigment performance within the rFRP mixture.
8. Enpompis
The Miquel Mariné team has been exploring the interaction between their prototype and the public audience in a light installation
- Material Limits: Their midterm work focused heavily on material research, defining whether their design should follow a linear or central layout to best showcase the limits of recycled reinforced polymers.
The Road Ahead
With the Midterm reports complete, the residents are now entering the Final Prototyping Phase. The coming months will see the final casting of these large-scale pieces, leading up to a final demonstration event. The YouRban Festival is an event focused on material demanufacturing and reprocessing that will take place from April 22nd to May 3rd in Barcelona. At the heart of the event will be a mobile plant housed on a truck, stationed in the city and open to everyone. Citizens will be able to see these circular economy concepts finally on the city streets.