Nod Makerspace — A Creative Ecosystem for Bucharest City

Tamina Lolev

Nod Makerspace is an ecosystem designed for design start-ups and young designers — a hub dedicated to creative industries, bringing together complementary functions under one roof. The project activates the industrial space of the former Cotton Factory. Generous windows & transparent partitions open the interior to natural light, distributing it evenly across workshops and multi-use workspaces. The challenge was preserving the building's authentic industrial character while warming it through material choices: natural birch plywood, soft textiles, and abundant greenery, the exposed concrete grid, restored industrial mosaic, and glass partitions continue the same spatial language.
The community itself built the makerspace, using the tools available on site: the makers were actively involved in both design&production, and much of the furniture, lighting fixtures, and signage were made in-house — a direct expression of the collaborative spirit that defines Nod.
Beyond the space itself, Nod Makerspace grew into a driver of urban transformation. In 2017, the same team designed MATER — the first materials library in Romania&SE Europe: over 2,000 physical samples, a 5,000-item online catalogue, and a mixed-use space combining library, event hall, co-working, for students, architects, designers.
Over ten years, Nod became a catalyst for the broader Cotton Factory district and for the city: co-founding the Berzei 21 consortium — the first civic call for participatory co-governance of a public asset; initiating Dâmbovița Delivery, a public space activation along the Dâmbovița river; and launching Viziere.ro during the 2020 health crisis, mobilizing over 2,600 volunteers to produce and distribute 300,000 face shields to frontline hospitals. Nod has been recognised with awards for cultural entrepreneurship, best co-working space (Central European Startup Awards), and urban sustainability.

Project Gallery

Illustration of Nod's impact in the city

Second floor axonometry

Before picture

Makerspace iconic picture

MATER - the Materials Library

One of the common spaces - dedicated to vocational classes

Tamina Lolev RO

https://noddesignlab.ro/, https://nodmakerspace.ro/, https://materlibrary.ro/en/mater/, https://dambovitaapadulce.ro/
Splaiul Unirii 160, sector 4 | 040041 Bucuresti