The historic district of Old Town in Portland, Oregon, is being transformed into an innovative hub for 3D printed footwear and apparel. The project team, named “Made in Old Town,” has secured the core building planned for redevelopment, converting the 110,000 square foot vacant Mason Ehrman building into a design laboratory and supplier center that will produce functional footwear and apparel on demand using 3D printing technology. As the costs of imported goods from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam rise, this type of manufacturing “reshoring” to the United States is timely.
The project has partnered with several suppliers, including the 3D printed footwear company HILOS. Its CEO, Elias Stahl, stated that the goal is to drive corporate investment in “zero-waste production” and relocate overseas supply chains back to Oregon. Matthew Claudel, the Director of Design and Collaboration, remarked, “This is the largest economic driver for Old Town in many years (even in history), which will create hundreds of local jobs. The speed of project progress is unprecedented in Portland’s history; after the building acquisition is completed, it can quickly enter the approval and construction phases, with an expected official opening this year.”
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I am Xu Fanglei, a design professional with a PhD and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in the UK, focusing on industrial design, additive manufacturing, and business models. Here, I will use my expertise and experience to take you deep into the world of 3D printing, sharing the latest industry trends, interpreting cutting-edge technologies, and discussing business applications.
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