Interview to Matteo Subet, PhD student at SUPSI

What LAUDS means and how do you envision the future of production in Europe?

As one of the most recent collaborators on this project, I’ve had the privilege of not only seeing LAUDS take shape, but also of being present at the announcement of the winners of its initial Open Call. In my view, LAUDS embodies a revolutionary vision for the future of manufacturing in Europe. It recognises the potential of urban production, supports local communities and democratises access to manufacturing spaces. It's about sharing processes and projects digitally, fostering collaboration, and prioritising sustainable practices at every stage.
In a world where globalisation is not serving our planet or improving lives, revisiting localised production, as we saw decades ago, feels important and potentially beneficial for all. Looking ahead, I can see a future for EU production that is filled with diverse hubs in major cities: places where people can connect, collaborate and create new products and services together. In that sense, I believe that LAUDS is working towards making this a reality.

What’s the role of SUPSI?

At the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), we are responsible for communicating the project to the general public and its intended audience. We collaborate closely with all the project partners to define the goals and develop a new manufacturing approach in Europe. Our work also focuses on developing guidelines and frameworks to support Open Call projects in developing LAUDS-related projects. SUPSI is joining the project as a FabLab digital fabrication and open innovation lab, and we are hosting two challenges for Open Call #2 in the mobility and energy sectors.

What expertise can you offer?

I joined LAUDS shortly after completing my role as a Teaching and Research Assistant within the Master of Arts in Interaction Design programme at SUPSI. Instead of talking about my areas of expertise, I would like to share my research interests. Over the past few years, I have worked extensively on applying design practice at the intersection of technology, design, and other disciplines. This Interaction Design-based approach is a constant presence in my work. Within the LAUDS project, I am conducting PhD research into developing a methodology for digitally documenting open-access urban manufacturing processes. I am bringing this perspective to my work with LAUDS and hope to share these interests with all the partners and projects that we will host at SUPSI and within the consortium. Above all, collaborating with such a variety of people is a great opportunity. Seeing how everyone is collaborating on this project, offering different perspectives and opening up new horizons, is inspiring.