In cooperation with Lazio Innova, through its Spazio Attivo network and the Region’s distributed FabLab, SMILE CITY is proud to launch the FABER SCHOOL URBAN LIVING LAB – “SMILE CITY”.
We want to involve architects, designers, students, researchers, and innovators in a process of co-design, collaboration, and international networking. The goal is to generate and prototype concepts for an off-grid e-bike charging station, responding to one of the innovation challenges launched in the SMILE CITY project on which the collaboration with Lazio Innova is based.
The charging stations will be made of prefabricated recycled concrete elements, powered by photovoltaic panels and equipped with second-life batteries for energy storage. The Faber School’s challenge is to develop a functional architectural concept that harmoniously integrates:
- the support system (concrete structure) for the roof-type photovoltaic panels;
- the secure housing for the second-life batteries;
- any street furniture or additional features (seating, lighting, information space).
The design must consider factors such as:
- aesthetics;
- functionality;
- durability;
- safety and compatibility between the various elements;
- accordance with the values of sustainability, innovation, and the circular economy inherent in the SMILE CITY project.
How does it work?
The call is open to interested individuals who submit their application as specified below.
Participation will be partly digital and partly in person, depending on the activities each working group is engaged in. The activities will take place between the end of January and the end of May 2026, with in-depth sessions and knowledge transfer on both digital modeling and prototyping and on specific content relevant to the challenge which participants are asked to co-design. These sessions will alternate with hands-on workshops, meetings at trade fairs, project events, and partner events.
The hands-on prototyping sessions will be hosted by Lazio Region’s FabLab. Throughout the process, SMILE City Partners, along with the FabLab network’s Technical Managers, will be available to the working groups both in workshops and training-demonstration sessions and in the proposal design and modeling activities.
The Faber School Kick-Off Workshop will be held on January 29, 2026, at the CNR headquarters in Rome. Participants will be divided into groups for an icebreaking and brainstorming session.
At the end of the Urban Living Lab activities (end of May 2026), each working group will produce a final output including:
- sketches and conceptual drawings;
- technical drawing (CAD drawings);
- scale model;
- PowerPoint presentation;
- illustrative video clip.
The process will conclude with a Demo Day where the proposals will be presented publicly and evaluated by a panel of international experts appointed by ETRA, based on the following criteria:
- consistency with the values and objectives of the SMILE CITY project;
- originality and quality of design;
- technical feasibility and sustainability of materials;
- modularity, durability, and ease of installation;
- visual impact, urban recognizability, and replicability in different European contexts.
Who are we looking for?
The ideal participants are:
- University and Technical Higher Education Students
- Recent Graduates, Scientists, Researchers
- Designers
- Digital artisans, technicians, and local innovators
- Professionals and companies interested in sustainable design, renewable energy, and the circular economy.
How to apply?
Interested parties may apply before January 10, 2026 at 18:00 (CET) through this online registration form. Candidates will be admitted based on evaluation criteria specified in the document available for download below.
The evaluation will be carried out by an evaluation panel composed of a representative from Lazio Innova, an ETRA representative, and an industry expert. Applications achieving a minimum score of 60 out of 100 will be selected.
Starting January 15, 2026, Lazio Innova will inform candidates admitted to the programme via email. By January 20, participants must confirm that they enroled in the programme and that they will participate in the first Kick-Off Workshop, which is scheduled for January 29.
What do you get out of it?
The project teams selected for the subsequent prototype development will receive the following:
- involvement in project activities aimed at project execution;
- visibility of the authors’ names in SMILE CITY Project communications;
- the right to cite the selected concept and the prototype developed to promote their portfolio of projects and collaborative works;
- reimbursement of travel expenses for meetings and project activities agreed upon with the SMILE CITY coordinator (ETRA).
Further information:
Participation in the programme is free.
The ULL launch meeting was held on December 3, 2025. Before the FABER SCHOOL URBAN LIVING LAB – “SMILE CITY” kick-off on January 29, 2026, we will have several similar workshops to present the ULL between mid-December and January at Sapienza University of Rome, the Polytechnic University of Turin, and ISIA Faenza. The next of these meetings will be held on December 17, 2025 at 17:30 at he Polytechnic University of Turin.
Download a more detailed description of the FABER SCHOOL, including the evaluation criteria for admission, here.