FabCafe Kuala Lumpur Re-Opening Party

Co-founded by Ignatius Andi Permadi and Gwyneth Jong, FabCafe KL originally launched as Fabspace in 2016 within Isetan The Japan Store in Kuala Lumpur. In 2019, the space evolved into FabCafe KL, which is dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment where people can work on their projects, learn new skills, and network with others interested in technology and design. 

Over the four years of operation as FabCafe KL, Andi and Gwyn have gathered creative communities in art with digital fabrication, bio materials, olfactory design, and more. Leveraging their skills in community building, workshop design and installation, FabCafe KL has now worked with companies such as Adidas, the AAPE Store, and the Selangor Tourism’s Department of Industrial Development for various projects.

The move to a bigger location in Bandar Sunway, which spans over 3000 square feet, reflects a commitment to fostering innovation and creativity on a grander scale. The new space will enable the FabCafe KL team to undertake larger custom projects, expand the in-store retail area, and offer an even wider range of workshops and events.

Join us on Friday, October 11th, 2024 for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the grand reopening of FabCafe Kuala Lumpur! Hosted in collaboration with FabCafe Global, this is your chance to experience a vibrant fusion of creativity, innovation, and culture.

Doors open at 16:00 at FabCafe Kuala Lumpur—so come early, enjoy the refreshments and soak in the excitement! We’ve curated an array of FabCafe projects from both KL and the wider FabCafe Global network, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

In November 2022, the State Tourism Ministry of Selangor, Malaysia, organized the TUKANG Design & Craft Festival 2022 to promote local artisans and showcase the rich culture of the indigenous communities. At this festival and now at the Reopening Party, FabCafe Kuala Lumpur presents an interactive art installation, the Re:Vision Kaleidoscope, to pass on Temuan Orang Asli Heritage to younger generations.

For more information, check out the summary article about this project!

The crQlr (“circular”) Awards, organized by FabCafe, a global creative community network, and Loftwork, a creative company in Asia, is a global award that connects and empowers diverse players who are striving toward a more desirable, circular society. The Awards gather projects in varying stages of development across wide-ranging fields, including material innovation, product and service, art, education, system design, and city planning. The goal of the crQlr Awards is to challenge social and business norms through cross-industrial collaboration to realize a more resilient, equitable and even regenerative future.

crQlr Awards 2024 is currently accepting applications (9/17/2024-10/18/2024)!
Check out the crQlr Awards website for more information!

SPCS (“species”) explores designs and forms of expression that collaborate with nature by actively confronting its uncontrollable factors through prototyping. Each season, we will invite a variety of lecturers to co-develop programs that mix natural sciences, design, art, engineering, culture, and other disciplines.

For more information, please check out the SPCS Community page here!

When exactly did we become adults and stop seeing our surrounding world as a playground? The term XR refers to the collective technology that enhances realism and immersion by adding digital or physical elements to an environment. The possibilities are endless. Come and discover how technology and creativity can combine in unexpected ways.

How is FabCafe leveraging AR for education and empowering young people?
Check out the XR Campus Project in collaboration with Taiwanese University, NCKU!

Olfactory Design Lab is a collaboration between FabCafe KL and Scent Artist Maki Ueda, with the general goal to research and consider the sense of smell as a medium for communication. Up until recently, design research, including user experience, has always been heavily focused on the sense of vision. However, as digital trends continue to grow in increasingly creative ways, other bodily senses, such as smell and touch, have become key interest areas for those keen to engage with users in a more material and embodied sense.

Maki Ueda now holds over a decade of teaching and exhibiting experience based on the topic of smell and art. Since 2009, she has held a teaching position at the Royal University of the Netherlands, conducting the world’s first and only “olfactory art” course.

In celebration of Earth Day, at the FabCafe for Adidas up-cycling shoebox workshop, we transformed old shoeboxes into stylish sling bags! Dive into creativity as we repurpose materials, reduce waste, and craft eco-friendly accessories that make a positive impact on our planet. 

The FabCafe KL team completed a commissioned project for the AAPE store display, creating a unique “Alfa” mannequin that embodies sustainability and artistry. You can find this captivating “Alfa” mannequin in AAPE outlets located in Kyoto, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. Crafted entirely from 100% recyclable materials, the figurine is not only eco-friendly but also visually striking.

To enhance its natural appeal, we covered the “Alfa” figurine with preserved moss by Ohsum Mossum Studio, giving it a vibrant and organic look that seamlessly blends with the store’s aesthetic. This project highlights our commitment to innovative design and environmental responsibility, making the AAPE store display both captivating and sustainable.