Das Projekt „Workshop Matters“ betrachtet offene Werkstätten als Orte, die einen kleinen, aber wertvollen Beitrag zu einer nachhaltigeren Gesellschaft, bewusstem Konsum und Upcycling-Praktiken leisten. Offene Werkstätten bieten allen, die sich für Handwerk, Heimwerken, Recycling oder Heimwerkerarbeiten interessieren, einen Raum zum Gestalten, Reparieren und Lernen, darunter Fachleute, Hobbybastler und angehende Kreative. Offene Werkstätten bieten einen erschwinglichen Zugang zu Maschinen, Werkzeugen und einer Gemeinschaft, in der man Fähigkeiten entwickeln und Projekte verwirklichen kann. Unser Konzept basiert auf den Werten des Teilens und des Degrowth als wesentliche Voraussetzungen für verantwortungsbewusstes Handeln.

Das Projekt ist inspiriert von unseren persönlichen und beruflichen Erfahrungen und davon, wie Handwerk, Heimwerken und Teilen das Leben und die Projekte der Menschen auf inspirierende Weise beeinflussen. In den letzten zehn Jahren sind in fast allen größeren Städten der Schweiz fast gleichzeitig, aber unabhängig voneinander, basisdemokratische Co-Workshop-Räume entstanden. Gleichzeitig haben auch private Ateliers und Werkstätten unter verschiedenen Bedingungen neue Nutzer aufgenommen.

Team

"We should not give up on the workshop as a social space. Workshops, present and past, have glued people together."
— Richard Sennett, The Craftsman

Behind every object lies a story: about materials, places, people, and processes — stories that are too often obscured by mass overproduction. We started workshop matters because we aim to share with you less-known stories of small production, design processes and repair approaches. Stories that remind us that making is a long journey—and that every object carries a history of its creation and a life beyond the production.

Beyond bringing visibility and accessibility to workshop- and maker- spaces, our mission is to open a conversation about the value of making, crafts(wo)manship and alternative processes for designing and producing. 

Our long term goals are to engage with events, publications and projects that create a shift in the relationships between designing and producing, especially by shifting the overconsumer’s narrative. We aim to share makers’ experiences, designer-maker’s insights and stories from the people who create and who use shared workshops—away from overconsumption, towards more intentional, connected and responsible ways of creating. Stay tuned and reach out if you resonate with any of this. We wish to ignite a growing community of designers, makers and curious practitioners—people who reflect on alternative ways of designing, producing and creating, and who find in shared workshops not just tools and machines, but places where hands meet minds, and where ideas take shape.

Human matters
We believe that making is an inherent human need. We help you reconnect with your inner maker. We know that crafty hands smell good and workshop outfits feel free.

Making matters
We recognise the importance of making in order to truly appreciate the value of things. We relate to designers’ need for making and crafting as part of the design process. We value objects for their stories, not for their price. We bring visibility to resilient bottom-up practices. 

Community matters
We believe that making things together allows us to learn from each other. Sharing not only lightens the load, it also makes creative work more possible. We share the stories that we believe matter. We do not differentiate between professionals and amateurs: making requires passion, and unlearning is the superpower of the 21st century.

Story matters
We amplify the stories of designer-makers, artists, and amateurs who push the boundaries of craft. We want to see more responsible production and consumption, even if it is small-scale.
We believe in less waste and greater appreciation for how things are made. We raise awareness about existing degrowth practices. After shared gardens, shared desks, and shared kitchens, the time has come for shared workshop spaces to shine.

Play matters
We know that making is fun. We believe a sense of play makes design better. We believe in design for good. We have an infinite curiosity for craftsmanship. Digital and analogue, old and new.

We are Victoria, Jo and Erica: designers, thinkers and makers who care and design for meaningful content. We met during our studies at the Basel Academy of Art and Design (HGK) and connected through the shared belief that design has a social responsibility, and that understanding crafts is vital to creating meaningful objects. 
Our practice is driven by questions such as: what kind of change do we want to see in our environment? Whom are we designing for? What is our role as designers in such critical times?

Special Thanks to

[SUPPORT & CONTRIBUTION]
Bosco Fereira 
Paloma López Grüninger
Stella Auburger
Saskia Haas

[WORKSHOP SPACES]
for the many hours of interviews and exchange with workshop spaces, particularly:
Tobias from macherschaft / Basel
Jana, Linda, Leon and Michele from freiwerk / Basel
Martin from TDS Textildruckerei / Arbon
druckwerk / Basel
meter / St. Galen
Jessica from MACO & Le Grand Atelier Geneve
makerspace Lausanne
Salem Imadjane from DYNAMO / Zurich

[DESIGNERS, MAKERS & ARTISTS]
Flavia Taschler
Katharina Fronhofen
Laura Kluge
Nicole Salnicov
Maria Beleva
Maria Alessandra Fratta
Vera Roggli
Yael Anders
George Foster
Kim Andre Lange
Marc Gertsch
Jonas Froetschl
Jan Zinnenlaufen
Rene Odermatt
Valentin Denkov #wormhole
Friends and family 
HGK Basel

[FINANCIAL SUPPORT]
pro helvetia [Swiss Arts Council]
Foundation for Art and Design Basel