The landmark factory of cult ROG bicycles is being re-purposed as a fablab oriented towards innovative forms of 3D manufacturing. The aim of this so-called Rog Centre is to provide creators, organisations, businesses and the general public with a supportive environment for the development of innovative, socially beneficial projects that address current social challenges. Initially, RogLab was set up in close proximity to the factory, as a prototype for the development of RogCentre. RogLab, operating from a 30m2 shipping container, took a life of its own and since 2012 has been successfully promoting innovative manufacturing and circular/sharing economy practices. It has developed and tested programs, partnerships and business models for RogCentre. It is expected that the activities in RogCentre will commence shortly, as the plan for its development was approved in 2019.
The Rog factory is the place where cult Rog bicycles were manufactured. Nowadays, the building is, according to the initiative, the most important industrial heritage building in the city of Ljubljana. In 2006, the empty building was opened up for temporary users and in 2007 the local authority of Ljubljana began its renovation under a revitalisation project. RogLab has been operating from a nearby shipping container successfully since 2012, and the actual renovation works of the Rog factory are expected to begin in 2023.
In utilizing the industrial heritage building, and combining the traditional local manufacturing mindset with contemporary manufacturing techniques, RogCentre is developing into an example of how local cultural and material heritage, with which the city strongly identifies, can be utilized to produce innovative ideas in a modern way. [3;4]
The initiative aims to provide a supportive environment, including modern infrastructure, up-to-date expertise and international connections, to those who want to develop innovative, socially beneficial projects that address contemporary social challenges.
Roglab currently has equipment, like 3D printers, laser cutters and other machines, which can be rented by everybody interested in working with them. Furthermore, education and training workshops are hosted for both youth and adults, and RogLab is the base from which school projects and other school learning material is developed. To transform the former factory into RogCentre, renovations of the building are planned, as well as the construction of an underground car park, the conversion of the backyard into a multipurpose park and the development of a produce garden with beehives. The RogCentre will be home to shared innovative manufacturing infrastructure, education and training in innovative manufacturing, open calls with a societal focus, creative workshops, an international residency programme, exhibitions, and a library. [1; 2; 3; 4]
In the RogLab, a non-hierarchical style of management is trialled, which is perceived as unusual in Slovenia. The hub’s everyday operations are managed by an interdisciplinary team of three people, with freelancers with relevant skills brought in to work as mentors on specific projects. Furthermore, there is a strong focus on building local and international networks, with typically 16 local partners and 9 international partners involved at one time, ranging from NGOs to high-tech companies to cultural institutions. RogCentre is likely to copy this style of governance and will be established as a public non-profit entity. [3, 4]
Currently, RogLab is financed by a yearly contribution of €50.000 from the city of Ljubljana and also generates about €4.000 income through membership fees and education courses. In its initial stages, it received monetary support from the EU project ‘2nd chance’ (€80.000). [3]
Rog Lab, organisational website, roglab.si/ accessed on 28-09-2021.
Euro Cities (2018a) Ljubljana’s RogLab model. Retrieved from www.sharingcities.eu/eurocities/documents/Ljubljana-s-RogLab-model-WSPO-B77E3L, on 28-09-2021.
Euro Cities (2018b) Ljubljana’s RogLab model: Education, innovation and prototyping. Retrieved from nws.eurocities.eu/MediaShell/media/2018_innovation_Ljubljana.pdf, on 28-09-2021.
Rog Centre (n.d.). Rog Centre: Ljubljana’s creative hub in the making. Retrieved from www.roglab.si/assets/Uploads/dokumenti/RogCentre-catalogue-2021-ANG-web.pdf, on 28-09-2021.