Peter Troxler

Designing the circular economy – a case for applied science

Probably the most common visual of the circular economy is an infographic produced years ago by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation [1]. It shows closed streams of materials, green for organic matter, blue for technical materials. Biologically-based materials (organic matter) returns to form a source of new organic matter through composting and anaerobic digestion. Recovery of…

Non-fiction of the month: “Die Welt reparieren” (Repairing the World)

The book “Die Welt reparieren” (Repairing the World) is on the list of best non-fiction books the month in Germany, which „Süddeutsche Zeitung“ publishes together with the NDR. A high-ranking jury selects books from the Humanities. Find the book on the list: http://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/bestenliste-sachbuecher-des-monats-maerz-1.3399205. The book includes my article on the state of play of open…

Beyond Consenting Nerds: Lateral Design Patterns For New Manufacturing

On 17 November 2015 I was so happy to give my long awaited public lecture to formally get installed as a Research Professor at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. After a long day of workshops and interaction with a huge audience, I delivered my lecture entitled “Beyond Consenting Nerds—Lateral Design Patterns for New Manufacturing”. Here…

It is easier to ship recipes than cakes and biscuits

“It is easier to ship recipes than cakes and biscuits” — a quote attributed to John Maynard Keynes since June 2013 (http://www.architecture00.net/news/2206) at least 2008 (https://books.google.nl/books?id=2pV9Geqv1cIC&pg=PA211#v=onepage&q&f=false). Seems an unlikely Keynes quote, as the Keynesian “cake” typically is the economy.

Urban Economic Development as Making Unfolds Its Potential

Presentation given at a seminar by “La Fabrique de la Cité” on the creation of value for the city and in the city in Lille on 16 September 2014.

Fab Labs, 3D Printing, the 3rd Industrial Revolution – and Their Impact (Possibly)

I gave this presentation (or indeed a very similar one) to audiences in Neuchâtel (Switzerland) and Aberdeen (Scotland, UK). A notes pdf is also available for more detailed information and further reading.

Seminar: Third Industrial Revolution

Jeremy Rifkin foresees a “Third Industrial Revolution” that is triggered by the convergence of the development of the Internet and the emergence of renewable energies. This Third Industrial Revolution is based on lateral structures (networks, co-operation) – as opposed to the hierarchical (centralized, top-down) structures of the 1st and 2n industrial revolutions. His main message…

Dannie Jost, Peter Troxler, jose Serrano

Open Knowledge Conference – Open Hardware

Frictions. Collaborative creation of knowledge vs. practices in trade and commerce. The example of Open Hardware Coordinators: Peter Troxler (Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences), Javier Serrano (CERN), Dannie Jost (World Trade Institute) Knowledge creation is today, in the twenty-first century, a collaborative and ubiquitous enterprise. Today’s technologies are complex and require the collaboration of many…

The FabLab Reference List, 2.0

The “Starting a FabLab Reference List” post has been mildly popular the past few years, time to write an update. Most noble excuse is that the book “FabLab. Of Machines, Makers and Inventors” is finally available to order from the publisher. It is a good source of more recent insights into FabLabs. A few chapters…

What’s Next for Open Hardware and Design?

The Open Book is not the proceedings from the Open Knowledge Festival 2012 but some kind of post festum reflection. It contains “contributions from a variety of thought leaders” (http://www.finnish-institute.org.uk/en/articles/57-reaktio-3) on various Open X topics: Open Data, Education, Software, … and Hardware. It’s available as a pdf from the above link since late february. My…