Lab & Coworking space

Here we actively work on the future of footwear!

At our Footwearology Lab in Alicante we do not just talk the talk, but really walk the walk. Here we aim to create a future where shoes have multiple lifecycles and are manufactured and sold on demand, through transparent, automated, local-for-local manufacturing and distribution systems. 

In the lab we develop our own innovative projects, as well as projects for customers and, of course, we work here with participants of our courses to bring their ideas to life. Since our goal is to create design and manufacturing systems that can be automated, we have a big focus on digital design and manufacturing, using only a few essential technologies that can minimize manual labor.

Since we have a backyard full of footwear factories here in Alicante, we are combining new digital technologies with traditional manufacturing methods.

Our address is:
Calle de la Virgen del Socorro 35, Alicante, Spain.
3D printers are the core of our lab, we specialize in printing flexible footwear that is affordable and comfortable. We use FDM machines - both with filament and pellets - so the material can be recycled. We are beta testers for new materials and machines, so we always have the latest technologies in house.
In the front of the lab we have a space for small classes or meetings and here we show the history of 3D printed footwear, with examples of almost all essential past and current 3D printed shoe brands, not just in FDM, but also in powder and resin.
Our large library - with spectacular sea views - has a unique collection of books on footwear and sneaker history, design and technology, as well as a fantastic selection of books on materials, industrial design, art and architecture. It has a big work table for larger meetings or classes, as well as a big TV screen for presentations.

Examples of projects made at our lab

These commercial sandals can be printed in one go and only need minimal stitching for assembly. They were made during one of our residencies by Karla Lopez Rivera and she is now producing them at her factory in Puerto Rico.
Besides printing, we also focus on other automated production technologies, such as knitting. We have a Santoni XT circular knitting machine which is stationed at our partner Inescop. Experienced Norwegian footwear designer Ingrid Brandth created this shoe with a textured knitted upper and printed sole.
This shoe is one of the projects that we developed at our own initiative. This is a modular shoe with a parametric textile upper. It shows how 3D printing can create textures that are not possible with other methods. Furthermore, this shoe can be printed within 6 hours, is ultra lightweight and easy to disassemble for recycling or repair.

Join our coworking space - for free!

On our first floor we have a magnificent coworking space with the best possible view of the Mediterranean sea, high-speed internet and airco. Since we want our lab to be a creative community space, we are opening it up for free to people who want to come work here, as long as it is no more than 5 days in a row. We have 2-3 desks available at any time. If you are visiting to work with the factories in Alicante, this is an ideal option, so you do not have to be stuck in your hotel and can meet other creatives. 
Of course, we are footwear specialized, but you do not need to work in shoes, as long as you are doing something inspiring. Our lab is open on week days from 9:30 - 17:30. Please fill out the form below if you want to come, so you can be sure we will be there and have space for you. Usage of the printers is not included. If you would like to work with our machines then please book a 3D printing residency.
We do recommend that you like dogs, since the lab has 3 resident chihuahuas :)

Please fill out the form below to book your free desk:

We currently have these machines in our lab:

Elegoo Neptune 4 Max (several)
Ideal for textiles due to the large bed

Lugolabs Flex 4
Multi-material printer with 4 nozzles, specialized for flexible materials

Bambulab H2D
able to print 2 flexible or 4 rigid materials at once on a large bed

Bambu Lab X1
able to print 1 flexible or 4 rigid materials at once on a medium size bed


FLSun V400 (several)
suitable for printing monomaterial shoes very fast

WASP 4070FX Pellet Printer
suitable for printing very soft materials on a large bed and for larger objects, such as boots

Direct 3D F30 Pellet Printer
Suitable for printing very soft materials on a medium size bed

Ultimaker Factor 4
Industrial printer, suitable for printing two flexible materials at the same time

some of our partners and customers

Footwearology is an international footwear innovation platform. We have 4 pillars: research, consulting, training and events. We enable you to gain the knowledge that will get you, and the companies you work for, ready to create and embrace a better future. All our courses take place online and/or in our LAB in Alicante, Spain.

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