Fabricademy is a 6-month international educational programme that explores the intersection of textiles, digital fabrication and biology. You can now apply for the 10th edition 2026-2027 starting next September, at Waag’s TextileLab Amsterdam. Find out more about the programme, the lab and its instructors.
Register today.
Fabricademy runs in various nodes all over the world.
TextileLab Amsterdam is one of the initiators of the programme, bringing innovation and access to technology for textile, fashion and material designers. Here, mentored by a team of experts, we welcome researchers, artists, engineers and creatives to explore together about the future of the textile and clothing industry. You can think of it as a playground for craftsmanship, heritage, technology, digital fabrication, shared knowledge and biology.
TextileLab Amsterdam is based in the Waag building, which decades ago used to be the house of the guilds and is one of the most interesting historical locations of Amsterdam. Here, we question and investigate future opportunities and challenges of technology and society – how these impact the textiles and clothing industries in terms of approach, systemic and holistic values-driven nature, technological challenges and environmental concerns.
TextileLab Amsterdam was founded by Cecilia Raspanti and Ista Boszhard in 2015.
Discover other projects and activities conducted by TextileLab Amsterdam.
Fabricademy is structured in two complementary phases: skills capsules & personal project development. During the first three months (September – December), as a participant you are provided with in-depth lectures and masterclasses on topics such as circular fashion, wearable technology, bio-fabricating materials and sustainability. In parallel, tutorials & workshops will give you the tools and knowledge to develop your own in-depth research project in the TextileLab during the programme. You will obtain hands-on experience to work with digital fabrication tools such as laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC milling machines, and introductions to a variety of softwares such as Rhino3d, Grasshopper and so on; while working with biomaterials such as fungi, bacteria and other living materials. In addition, you will explore natural colors derived from nature, learning how to craft materials within regenerative & sustainable design practices. By experimenting with living and biobased materials, you will develop prototypes that function in synergy with natural processes, with a focus on ecological responsibility and the reciprocal relationship between people, materials and the environment.
In the second part of the programme (January – April), it’s up to you to integrate the knowledge into a personal project. You will be mentored by our dedicated instructors and pool of international experts to develop your own project.
Introduction, tools, research & network
3D design and digital fabrication, laser cutting
Modular digital designs, laser cutting fabrics
Bio-based colours, natural & bacterial dye, ink and pigment
Soft electronic circuits, sensors & switches, conductive textiles
Bio-based materials, bioplastics, bacterial cellulose, mycelium
3D design and digital fabrication, 3D printing
Wearable circuits, sensors and actuators
3D design, milling and crystallisation
Tools & machine hacking and design
Concept design and project development
Textile inflatable design
E-textiles body as interface
Concept development, research, fabrication and storytelling
It’s preferred to take the whole programme, but it’s also possible to enrol for a subset: PARTIAL (3 months of masterclasses), SHORT (1 month of masterclasses) or SINGLE (1 week masterclass).
Do you have a curious and critical mindset towards textiles and technology? Do you like making, experimenting and working with your hands and are you ready to share your making process while learning with a group of pioneers? Do you believe in open source and continuous learning? Then, Fabricademy is made for you!
We look for participants that believe a different world for textiles and fashion design is possible, one where biomaterials and circularity are at its core.
Specific knowledge isn’t required. Being in the intersection of multiple disciplines, this programme suits a wide range of (educational) backgrounds and professions.
Contact
If you want to get in touch, if you have some more questions considering the programme, or if you’re curious if Fabricademy is something for you: don’t hesitate to reach out. Mail to: textilelab@waag.org.
Read general terms and conditions
Waag Futurelab is a part research institute, part cultural organisation, that focuses on emerging technology, underlying assumptions, design, development and art, contributing to a more open, fair and inclusive society. It is accommodated in the oldest non-religious building of Amsterdam, the Waag, in the centre of the Nieuwmarkt square.
In this building, three of Waag’s labs can be found: the TextileLab Amsterdam, focusing on bridging the gap between textiles and technology, the FabLab for digital fabrication and the Open Wetlab for biotechnology. Waag is not a school, but she intends to transfer her knowledge on the unique crossings of textiles, biotechnology, digital fabrication and more to anyone who wants to learn and to contribute to a better future. This is done, amongst others, through the internationally acknowledged academies: Fabricademy, Fab Academy and BioHack Academy.
Fabricademy 2019-2020
Recyclable shoes by Sara Alvarez
MR workshops by Paulina Martina
Gaia by Bela Rofe
Boertex by Rebecca van Caem
The Stitch Synth by Jessica Stanley
Cabinet of Undersea Memorabilia & Bio Dye Kit by Irene Caretti
Fungi Couture by Stephanie Santos
The Sleep Warrior by Teresa van Twuijver
Beatriz Sandini’s journey with Fabricademy