RXTX .

Welcome

Hola This is

My Works

My Projects

I have ideated, designed and implemented together with multidisciplinary teams the following projects.

Smart Citizen

An open-source platform empowering communities to collect and share environmental data using custom sensor kits, promoting awareness and data-driven civic participation.

Fablabs.io

The official online platform for the global Fab Lab Network. It connects over 1,750 labs, allowing them to share knowledge, projects, and resources worldwide.

Fab City

A global initiative for cities to become locally productive and globally connected, aiming to shift to a circular "Data In, Data Out" system by 2054.

Fab Lab Barcelona

The first Fab Lab in the EU, a hub for research and innovation at IAAC, and the global headquarters for the Fab Academy program.

Fab Lab Bali

The world's first Fab Island, an R&D lab empowering local communities in Bali through digital fabrication to foster regenerative economies.

Education

Research & Education

I have co-designed and implemented the following programs, fostering a new generation of innovators and thinkers at the intersection of technology, design, and society.

Educational Programs

Master in Design for Emergent Futures

A multidisciplinary program at Fab Lab Barcelona that explores the intersection of design, technology, and biology to create new models for society.

Master in Distributed Design Innovation

A global program that trains creative leaders to develop projects for positive impact, combining online learning with hands-on work in local communities.

Fab Academy

A fast-paced, hands-on digital fabrication program directed by Neil Gershenfeld of MIT's Center For Bits and Atoms, taught across the global Fab Lab network.

Exploring Emergent Futures at RCA

A research platform at the Royal College of Art focused on mass distribution systems and their potential to create more sustainable and equitable futures.

Selected Publications

Personal fabrication: Fab labs as platforms for citizen-based innovation, from microcontrollers to cities (2012)

Co-authored by Diez, this foundational paper is his most cited work. It establishes Fab Labs as crucial platforms for innovation, driven by citizens. The paper argues that these digital fabrication workshops can empower individuals and communities to create their own solutions, scaling from small electronic devices to urban-level interventions. This work lays the groundwork for much of Diez's subsequent research on the transformative potential of localized manufacturing.

The fab and the smart city: the use of machines and technology for the city production by its citizens (2013)

In this significant paper co-authored with A. Posada, Diez explores the symbiotic relationship between the Fab Lab movement and the development of smart cities. It posits that the true "smart city" is one where citizens are active producers, not just passive consumers of technology. The authors detail how digital fabrication tools can be utilized by residents to co-create their urban environment, leading to more resilient and citizen-centric cities.

Digitalization and sustainability: a call for a digital green deal (2023)

A more recent and highly impactful article, this paper, co-authored with T. Santarius and others, addresses the urgent need to align the digital transition with sustainability goals. Diez and his co-authors advocate for a "Digital Green Deal," outlining policies and strategies to ensure that digitalization contributes positively to environmental and social well-being. This reflects a key evolution in his work, emphasizing the critical importance of circular and sustainable practices in the digital age.

IoT community technologies: leaving users to their own devices or orchestration of engagement? (2015)

Co-authored with M. Balestrini and others, this paper delves into the burgeoning field of the Internet of Things (IoT) from a community-centric perspective. The authors question whether IoT technologies truly empower users or if they require a more structured approach to foster meaningful engagement. This work is highly relevant as it critically examines the social and civic implications of widespread sensor networks and data collection in cities, a recurring theme in Diez's research.

Fab City: The mass distribution of (almost) everything (2018)

This publication, co-authored with Neil Gershenfeld and others, serves as a manifesto for the Fab City initiative. It outlines the vision of a new urban model where cities produce most of what they consume, shifting from a "Products In, Trash Out" model to a "Data In, Data Out" paradigm. This work is central to understanding Diez's broader vision for a global network of locally productive, globally connected cities.

Citizen sensing: a toolkit (2018)

While Diez is not a direct author of this specific toolkit, it is a direct outcome of the "Smart Citizen" project, which he co-founded. The toolkit provides practical guidance and open-source tools for citizens to collect and share environmental data. This represents the practical application of the theoretical concepts presented in his papers, demonstrating a commitment to empowering citizens through hands-on technological engagement.

Beyond boundaries: the home as city infrastructure for smart citizens (2014)

In this paper, co-authored with M. Balestrini and P. Marshall, Diez explores the evolving role of the home in the smart city. The authors argue that with the integration of sensor technologies, the domestic space becomes a vital part of the urban infrastructure, enabling residents to become active data producers. This work expands the traditional boundaries of urbanism and highlights the distributed nature of the future smart city as envisioned by Diez.

Fab City whitepaper

This foundational document outlines the core principles, strategies, and long-term vision of the Fab City Global Initiative. It serves as a guide for cities, policymakers, and communities looking to join the network and transition towards a model of local production and global collaboration, aiming for urban self-sufficiency by 2054.

Music

MUSICAL JOURNEY

Sonic Experiments from recent times. A journey that started in a small town in Venezuela, with a grunge band. We lost our drums genius Guido, tried to reinvent ourselves many times, it was not the same. We later came back to experiment as rec.audio, and later separately in different projects. Now I am making live sets in Bali, and producing some bedroom music as TX.

Latest on Bandcamp

Latest on SoundCloud

About Me

I am a Venezuelan-born Urbanist and Technologist specializing in digital fabrication and its implications for the future of cities. My work focuses on the intersection of technology, design, and community, exploring how distributed manufacturing can lead to a more sustainable and equitable world.

As the Executive Director of the Fab City Foundation and a founding partner of Fab Lab Barcelona, I have been at the forefront of the global Fab Lab movement. My research and practice have been instrumental in developing the Fab City concept—a global initiative for cities to become locally productive and globally connected. I am passionate about creating tools and educational programs that empower citizens to become active participants in shaping their environment.

From co-designing masters programs like MDEF and MDDI to leading pioneering projects such as Smart Citizen, my career has been dedicated to building a future where technology serves society and the planet. Currently based in Bali, I continue to explore these themes through my work, research, and creative pursuits.

contact

Bali, Indonesia

Uluwatu

hola@rxtx.space

+1 857 654 0434

My personal site

Hola This is RXTX.SPACE, where music and technology meets design, art and changemaking