Our Journey

Fab Lab Bali was born from the shared belief that meaningful design is key to a sustainable future — empowering communities through the democratization of innovation and technology.

1. MeaningfulDesignGroup

   

   Our journey started with the founding of Meaningful Design Group (MDG) in 2021, a unique collaboration led by Ilham Habibie, Wan Zaleha Radzi, Tomas Diez, and Agung Prianta, who shared a commitment to merging local wisdoms with global insights to realize sustainable change in Indonesia. This effort is part of a larger global movement rooted in the missions of Fab Foundation and Fab City Foundation.

2. FabLabNetwork

   

   The Fab Foundation, established in 2009 by MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms, fosters open, community-focused spaces for digital fabrication around the world. Through Fab Labs — creative hubs equipped with digital fabrication tools — people everywhere have the chance to learn, innovate, and bring their ideas to life. With over 2,000 labs globally, the Fab Foundation has transformed communities by providing education, skill-building, and local production capabilities.

   

   The Fab City Foundation builds on this vision by aiming to bring production closer to consumption on urban scale. Its global network supports cities in becoming largely self-sufficient by 2054, fostering resilience and environmental stewardship. This mission encourages cities to embrace local innovation and regenerative practices, creating a sustainable future rooted in community well-being.

3. BaliFabFest&
   FabIslandChallenge

   

   In 2022, Bali hosted the 13-day Bali Fab Fest under the theme 'Designing Emergent Realities'. Co-hosted by Meaningful Design group, Fab Foundation, and Fab City Foundation, this event marked Bali as the world’s first Fab Island . The event drew over 500 attendees for 85 talks, 93 workshops, and 400+ hours of programs to explore Bali’s potential as a hub for sustainable design.

   A key highlight of the event was the Fab Island Challenge, which gathered 92 participants from 23 countries to address Bali's 9 most pressing challenges. This collaboration blended advanced technology with traditional knowledge to propose and prototype solutions that support Bali’s transition toward a regenerative economy.

4. TheFirstFabLabonTheIsland

   

   Out of these efforts, Fab Lab Bali emerged as the operational arm of Meaningful Design Group. While we may be new, our foundation is built on years of experience, rigorous innovation, and meaningful partnerships.

   As part of the global Fab Lab Network, supported by Fab Foundation and Fab City Foundation, our mission goes beyond creation—it’s about empowering communities, fostering collaboration, and transforming Bali and Indonesia into a place where technology, traditional knowledge, and sustainable practices coexist to build a resilient, regenerative future.