Shaping up: Micro-manufacturing on the street

Funded by Lambeth Council, the project is based around a CNC machine, a manufacturing device that cuts complex shapes out of sheet materials in accordance with computer instructions. Assemble & Join primarily works with plywood.

Using the machine, local residents will be able to create objects such as exterior decorations, door carvings, sign boards and furniture. The organisers hope the process will encourage local creativity and help to maintain the area as a distinctive street that reflects the local community.

As micro-manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing spread and diversify, we are seeing the Home Factory trend spread into community spaces such as workshops and libraries, and more people are becoming interested in manufacturing as a social activity.