The University Creative Centre FabLab (KC FabLab) was established for the purpose of increasing the creative potential in the Trenčín region and supporting entities from the cultural and creative industry. It is a part of the University of Trenčín Alexander Dubček in Trenčín as an independent workplace located in the university campus in Trenčín-Záblatí. KC FabLab cooperates closely with other university faculties, especially the Faculty of Special Technology.

It gives space to students, educators, creatives, companies from the cultural and creative industries as well as the general public to develop their creativity.

KC FabLab works on the principle of FabLab (Fabricant Laboratory) , open creative workshops equipped with technologies for creative craft work with different materials. This is also the primary service provided, which is available through the different levels of KC FabLab membership.

The KC FabLab space is divided into three functional types of spaces that form a single unit. The first is a creative production space of about 600 m², which includes 7 creative workshops.

• Creative workshop for welding metal materials.
• Creative workshop with 3D printing technology on metal.
• Creative workshop with 3D printing and scanning technology.
• Creative workshop for processing and printing materials (plastic, clay).
• Creative woodworking workshop.
• Creative workshop for hand woodworking.
• Creative workshop for CNC and laser machining of metal materials.

The second type are spaces to support creative work such as reception and offices for administration and management, a lecture room and meeting room, a relaxation area with a small library and a self-service café.

Thirdly, there are spaces for creative activities, sports and relaxation in the outdoors around the KC FabLab. This outdoor space is equipped with an outdoor meeting room , gazebos with benches, a sports zone with a workout and parkour area, a playground and a multifunctional ball game court and table tennis tables.

Within the university campus in Záblatí there is also an e-mobility station, i.e. shared electric scooters and electric bicycles, which allow connection to the university campus in the centre of Trenčín. There is also a university canteen, a university dormitory, a car park and a campus with plenty of green and natural spaces for biodiversity.

The University’s FabLab Creative Centre started its test run in January 2024 after the successful completion of an investment project that lasted more than 3 years. The project included the renovation of the premises and the installation of technology in the creative workshops. The investment amounting to more than 4.4 million EUR was financed from EU funds, the state budget of the Slovak Republic and the co-financing of the University (85:10:5) under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic and within the framework of the call “Mobilisation of creative potential in the regions”. Within the framework of the call, two other partner university centres were established in Nitra and Trnava.

KC FabLab focuses on green themes in creativity such as the use of recycled materials in creative production, linking the creative sector with environmental organisations, promoting circular economy and the use of renewable energy in creative production. It also focuses its project and professional activities on these green and enviro themes. KC FabLab fulfils the mission of a green university through its activities.

KC FabLab will also meet the needs of the city of Trenčín as part of the European Capital of Culture 2026 project.