Conceptually situated between Le Corbusier’s living machine and Ivan Illich’s convivial tool, the tool-house fulfills both housing and production functions. This universal and timeless typology is more relevant than ever in the post-COVID society. The presentation will explore the different forms of the tool-house, from Tokyo to Mumbai, from Silicon Valley to Geneva.

Matias Echanove is co-founder of the urbz collective, which specializes in participatory design, planning and governance and is based in Mumbai, Goa, Bogota and Geneva. With Rahul Srivastava, he has developed a practice that brings together anthropology, urban planning and economic development, with a focus on community-based initiatives.

The urbz methodology was developed through experimental projects in Dharavi, a large, densely populated working-class neighborhood in the heart of Mumbai. The urbz approach is based on recognition of neighborhood-level social and cultural dynamics, engagement with the local economy and creative action with stakeholders. urbz has successfully used lessons learned from Mumbai in other Indian cities, East Asia, Latin America and Europe. Its clients are local associations, municipalities, international organizations and foundations.

urbz’s work has been exhibited at MoMA in New York, MAXXI in Rome, MAK in Vienna, the Istanbul Design Biennale, the Chicago Architecture Biennale, the São Paulo Cultural Center and the Bhau Daji Lad City Museum in Mumbai, among others.