CENTRINNO

The Textile Center, in collaboration with the University of Iceland, was 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 aimed to revitalise once thriving industrial areas using cultural heritage as its inspiration. A webinar marking the end of the 42-month project was held on February 22, 2024; it provided an overview of key outputs and showcased the achievements and impact of the nine city pilots.

Partnering institutions and foundations, 26 in total, included 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 was to strengthen and further develop the Textile Center in Blönduós as a creative hub and TextileLab. 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 visit the project website:  https://centrinno.eu/