We Came, We Milled, We Coded: Fab Academy’s Wild Ride to the Finish Line
From AI wearables to solar cookers, our students pushed the Fab Academy spirit—learn by making—to bold new heights. Here’s a glimpse of the creativity sparked at Fab Lab Barcelona.
Yes, it was intense. Yes, it was chaotic. And yes—it was incredible. After 20 weeks of soldering, designing, breaking things (intentionally and not), and building them back better… Fab Academy 2025 is (almost) officially done! 🎉
This year, over 130 final projects were presented across 50+ labs in 35 countries. From speculative AI wearables to solar-powered cookers, our students took the Fab Academy mantra—learn by making—to the next level. Here’s just a taste of the creativity brewing in Fab Lab Barcelona:
🎷 Katya Castellanos – The Electric Saxophone
What if you could play your sax anywhere, anytime, without bothering your neighbors? Katya’s project brings music back into her life with a self-built electronic tenor saxophone—quiet, affordable, and headphone-compatible. Inspired by electro-sax research and driven by personal passion, it’s music tech with soul.
💧 Andrew Mark – Basin
Imagine turning your heartbeat into a meditative water sculpture. Andrew’s interactive artwork does just that. Using biofeedback and peristaltic pumps, Basin syncs your pulse with gentle droplets of water—slowing you down in the most literal sense.
💡 Mark Shamash – Luminous
Smart lighting, minus the sci-fi vibes. Luminous blends presence detection with minimalist design to create a lamp that only shines when you’re nearby. Simple, sleek, and smart without shouting about it.
🎨 Camila Simsiroglu – Simsketch
A sketchpad you can carry in your pocket. Inspired by Tamagotchis and the Nintendo DS, Camila’s Simsketch combines a touchscreen, E-Ink display, and playful 3D-printed casing to create a portable creative playground for digital artists on the move.
☀️ Edward Woodhouse – Optical Solar Cooker
Who needs gas when you have sunshine? Edward’s solar cooker uses a parabolic concentrator and smart ventilation system to cook food cleanly and efficiently—no fuel, no fuss. A nod to low-tech living, elevated by just the right amount of electronics.
🧠 Gonzalo Guarner – Third AI
Ever wish you could replay your day like a movie? Gonzalo’s Third AI explores the idea with a wearable camera, image recognition, and a language model-based memory assistant. Inspired by Black Mirror but grounded in today’s tech, it’s a bold peek into AI-augmented memory.
Why Fab Academy?
Because in a world that’s changing faster than ever, knowing how to make things—really make them—matters. Fab Academy gives you the technical tools (digital fabrication, electronics, CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping) and pairs them with critical thinking, design, and real-world problem solving. You don’t just learn how machines work—you learn how to build systems, collaborate globally, and adapt fast.
From weekly challenges to personal final projects, Fab Academy pushes you to move past tutorials and into true innovation. It’s not just a class—it’s a mindset.
What Happens After?
As Neil likes to say: “You never finish Fab Academy—the journey starts when you graduate.”
And it’s true. Our alumni go on to:
- Teach and mentor in Fab Labs, schools, and universities worldwide.
- Launch startups and bring prototypes to market. Some awesome examples here »
- Lead social innovation projects that tackle everything from education to sustainability.
- Work in design and creative tech, blending art with engineering.
- Dive into research and R&D, shaping the future of fabrication, AI, robotics, and beyond.
They don’t just join the workforce—they build the future.
Curious? Inspired?
Whether you’re an engineer, artist, educator, designer, or just someone who loves to make things, Fab Academy might be your next big leap. Ready to explore what’s possible when you combine code, creativity, and a CNC machine?
Let us know—you might just be our next success story