CENTRINNO

The Textile Center, in collaboration with the University of Iceland, is participating in the European project CENTRINNO ("New CENTRalities in INdustrial areas as engines for inNOvation and urban transformation") under the research and innovation programme Horizon 2020. The 3 1/2 year project started in September 2020 and aims to revitalise once thriving industrial areas using cultural heritage as its inspiration. 

Partnering institutions and foundations, 26 in total, include WAAG and Metabolic Institute in Amsterdam, Volumes and Sony CLS in Paris, IAAC in Barcelona, ​​the Danish Design Center in Copenhagen, FabLab Zagreb, Tallinn University of Technology, Comune di Milano and WeMake Milan. For Iceland, one of the main aims is to strengthen and further develop the Textile Center in Blönduós into a dynamic textile hub. The University of Iceland contributes to the theoretical foundation of the hub by conducting research on the current situation and historical heritage of domestic crafts and textile work in Iceland. 

On May 21, 2021, Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir, the Icelandic Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation, and Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir, the Minister of Education, Science and Culture, formally opened the TextileLab on Þverbraut 1 in Blönduós. The first of its kind in Iceland, the TextileLab offers access to state-of-the-art textile equipment and digital technology for makers, students and artists, including two Tc2 digital looms, a felt loom, laser cutter, laser printer, digital embroidery machine & knitting machine. The focus is on the use of natural and regional materials and resources, such as Icelandic wool.  The project also received a development grant from the Icelandic Infrastructure Fund. Find more info on CENTRINNO and subscribe to the newsletter here: https://centrinno.eu/