Montessori in 3D

Craftabile, Italia, 2015

"Progettare è un gioco, giocare un progetto."

 

[Bruno Munari, designer, scultore e autore italiano, 1907-1998]  

"But kids, what fault do they have?" How many times have we heard this phrase after yet another history of abuse, or reacting to the unhealthy ostentation of the little ones in some advertising? And then the tragedy of Syria. The Aylan’s picture on the Lesbos beach. And the TV news that show us the boys fleeing alone all over world, from Sudan to Libya, from Sicily to Stockholm... Children traumatized, injured. Maybe forever. From this violent scenario, which is disgusting, emerges every now and then an image of playing in the rubble, or around the tents of Zaatari camp in Jordan, or between the feet of adults lined up for identification, just after landing in Sicilia. It is a desperate game, an act of pure resistance. They are well aware of this the volunteers and they know it too well certain designers and architects, perhaps remained a bit more children than others... So here they are planning how to turn the boxes of humanitarian aid in toys, like giving a little privacy and dreamy fairytale, transforming the bunk beds of the hostel in fairy castles, or small jungles with lots of lions and elephants. Globetrotting architects build playgrounds in Lebanon involving children, which will benefit of those areas, in the design and construction process. This makes a difference: it strengthen them, motivates them, and gives them a sense of belonging. They then will take care of it. And that place will heal them, at least a little. This is always the case, at all latitudes. Other examples in this section look away, but the goals remain the same: in a hospital in northern Europe where a wooden toy tells how not to be afraid of the operating room ... Or in Udine, in a co-working space where they bring out Montessori toys in 3D. Playing builds relationships, bridges distances, it is project, it is sharing. But as great as Munari, nobody!

in this section - MONTESSORI IN 3D - NOVEL HOSPITAL TOYS - TOY BOX, PACKAGING TO PLAY - ‘RIFÙGIATI’, MICRO-SPACES - 'IBTASEM' PLAYGROUND

Simona Martino, Irene Beltrame and Andrea Giacomelli.

Simona Martino studied Architecture, then worked as free-lance architect with Michele De Lucchi's studio among others. She founded Craftabile Srl in 2015. "We are three members: myself, Irene and Andrea.” - she says – “Our company started from our  passions and our skills in the fields of design, creative craftsmanship and new manufacturing technologies. We are interested in studying the learning processes: our attention is focused on the value of doing in order to grow and improve. For this reason, we can say that our work vision combines the Montessori’s vision - the child builds his personality interacting with the environment - with the values of craftsmanship as pointed out in modern sociology. We work together because we are convinced that networking accelerates development, innovation, quality of services and products, social well-being." Awards: 2017, selected by Confartigianato-Imprese di Udine as one of the most innovative craft company.

"The name Craftabile is made by the English term craft, i.e. craft or art, and ‘abile’ (able to) as skill, because we want, with a modern touch, to revalue craftsmanship as a generative act of innovation." - we read on the web site of this start-up from Udine, founded in 2015 by Simona Martino and Andrea Giacomelli, together for some time with Irene Beltrame. The concept of 'new digital craft' is central in the design and development of Craftabile that creates educational materials for schools and families, inspired by the pedagogical thinking of Maria Montessori. Its products are innovative and craft objects: they are designed and manufactured entirely in Italy with digital manufacturing technologies and manual work of assembling and finishing, under the scientific supervision of Foundation Montessori Italy. Everything from the choice of technologies and materials, production and distribution of products is done according to environmental and social sustainability.

Craftabile is partner  of Fondazione Montessori Italia and founder of Lino's & Co Bottega, Udine (Italy).