Fab Lab Alicante
A digital fabrication laboratory specialized in singular prototyping, focused on production and research centered on architecture, design, and broadcasting digital culture and production.
- CEO / Founder
- Juan Carlos Castro-Domínguez
- Team Size
- 1-10
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- Co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union
- Latest Round
- Co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union
- Key Investors
- Universidad de Alicante, Creative Europe programme of the European Union
Technology & Products
Key Products
["Digital fabrication services (3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling, vinyl cutting)","Parametric design training programs (Grasshopper, Rhinoceros courses via #EscueLab)","Emergency shelter solutions (REME and MiniREme prototype systems)","NOOC (Open Online Courses) in digital fabrication","Research and development consulting in digital fabrication","Prototyping and manufacturing support for academic and commercial projects"]
Technological Advantage
Integrates university research infrastructure with global Fab Lab network resources, providing interdisciplinary expertise that spans architecture, digital fabrication, and parametric design. Offers multimaterial prototyping capabilities across various scales while leveraging academic R&D capabilities for innovation. The lab operates within the University of Alicante, ensuring access to cutting-edge research, specialized equipment, and collaborative expertise.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Provides accessible digital fabrication tools and expertise to transform concepts into physical prototypes, combining academic research with hands-on making; specializes in innovative emergency architecture solutions for humanitarian crises while promoting self-learning and DIY culture
How They Differentiate
Specializes in 'singular prototyping' with unique focus on emergency architecture solutions (REME, MiniREme) and humanitarian crisis applications; integrates university academic research with practical digital fabrication; unlike larger competitors focused on education and services, Fab Lab Alicante emphasizes architectural prototyping with social impact applications including patented SURI emergency construction system
Market & Competition
Target Customers
University students and researchers (architecture, engineering, design), professionals in architecture and design, entrepreneurs and startups requiring prototyping services, humanitarian and emergency relief organizations
Industry Verticals
["Architecture and Construction","Higher Education and Research","Design and Product Development","Emergency and Humanitarian Relief","Digital Culture and Creative Industries","Manufacturing and Prototyping"]
Competitors
Fab Lab Barcelona; Fab Lab Valencia; Makespace Madrid
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Reopened operations in June 2025 after temporary closure; continues to develop award-winning projects like REME emergency shelter and participate in international events including Venice Biennale 2023
Major Milestones
["Founded in 2014 at Universidad de Alicante as digital fabrication research laboratory","REME emergency shelter project won EME3 Architecture Festival 2016 award","REME project selected for EAC2017 international award","Director Juan Carlos Castro-Domínguez co-inventor of SURI patent (rapid assembly construction system for emergency shelters)","Participated in Venice Architecture Biennale 2023 with Grandeza Studio for Pilbara Interregnum project","Coordinated Cartografiando Gaza project, winner of eme3 architecture festival 2009","Developed #EscueLab education platform and NOOC courses for digital fabrication","Reopened operations in June 2025 with renewed programming after temporary closure"]
Notable Customers
Grandeza Studio (Venice Architecture Biennale 2023 - Pilbara Interregnum project); Italian Embassy in Spain (ITmakES Village Madrid); University of Alicante (campus model project); EME3 Architecture Festival (emergency shelter prototypes)