Hardware is having a moment. On 29 October, Monumental, Schematik and VOUW opened the doors of the VOUW studio in Amsterdam for an evening about something we all share: making physical things in an increasingly digital world.
People who build things you can touch
Robot builders, product designers, engineers, founders and curious outsiders filled the studio, between the laser cutter, City Gazing on the wall and three Poem Booths lined up side by side. No conference theatre, no endless panels. Just a few short talks, drinks and a lot of conversation.
Three short talks, one question
Each company told its story in a few minutes, followed by questions from the room. Schematik shared new tools that make building electronics faster and more accessible, and brought a demo table full of electronics built with them. Monumental showed how construction robots are bringing automation to one of the oldest crafts in the world, and closed with a clear message: they are hiring. And we showed how VOUW turns technology into slow, interactive objects that people can feel, remember and share.
The best question of the night? "What was your favorite disaster?" Anyone who builds hardware has a few. Different fields, one shared question: how do we make technology that belongs in the real world?
Why the studio matters
Our studio is where Bloomlight, Chairwave and Poem Booth are built. That evening Bloomlight S bloomed above the crowd and guests tried the Poem Booth. It was also a meeting place, and that is exactly what we want it to be. Slowtech is not only about the objects we make. It is about bringing people back into the same room, around things that are real.
Thank you to Monumental and Schematik for hosting together with us, and to everyone who came by. See the original invitation on Luma.
Next time
This will not be the last one. Building something physical, or want to host an evening at the studio together? Get in touch and we will make sure you hear about the next edition.