Research Center
Through the continuous study of the human habitat, OpenLab becomes a research and development center where ergonomics, aesthetics, modularity and technology meet to explore yet unexpressed design potential and apply it effectively to materials and products. The laboratories are equipped with the most innovative instrumentation and equipment, some of which is specially designed and manufactured in-house.
Rev Lab
A reverberating room designed to test and measure sound-absorbing materials. The functionality of the lab is guaranteed by its peculiar geometrical form, which includes asymmetrical walls, and by the structure of the cement shell in which it is encased. Another special feature of the reverberating room is that it can be made to communicate directly with the semi-anechoic chamber in order to facilitate highly specific research into the behaviour of materials.
Supernova Lab
A test chamber that is completely isolated from the rest of the world thanks to a three-layered encasement consisting of an outer layer formed by 90 tons of special concrete, an intermediate layer consisting of a Faraday cage, and an inner layer made out of semi-anechoic insulating material containing 1301 sound-absorbing elements. The object of the lab is to investigate the perceptual capacities of humans in a controlled environment isolated from electromagnetic noise and interference.
Micromax Lab
A research unit dedicated to the study of the microstructures of materials. It is equipped with high-precision microscopes, Kundt impedance tubes and other specialized devices in order to carry out dimensional, visual, acoustic and structural analysis and control.
Hub Lab
The Hub Lab functions as the connection and control room of the Open Lab system, and can be operated in real-time either locally or remotely using bidirectional telemetry. It regulates the flow of data, information, recordings and images from the other laboratories.
Habitat Lab
A laboratory that brings noise and sound analysis out into the real world by producing acoustic patterns that can be modified in real time and by providing direct visualizations of sound waves.
Design Lab
This facility, which is dedicated to the final design stage of applied research projects, enables academic and applied research scientists to build models and prototypes of their ideas and products, also through the use of 3D technologies, before any of them go into production.
“… the Politecnico di Milano community is watching the latest challenge taken up by the company with interest and admiration: the company has invested in a major research facility, the Open Lab sound absorption laboratory for testing materials and objects. This remarkable investment will not go unnoticed.”
Luisa Collina,
Dean of the Milan Polytechnic
School of Design
“The latest developments achieved by the Nova Milanese-based company are very exciting indeed and include the creation of the Caimi Open Lab centre, a facility with a focus on the fundamental question of sustainability in design. The interdisciplinary hub has a keen interest in experimenting with new materials and technologies that respect nature and the environment.”
Stefano Boeri,
Chairman of Triennale Milano
“… the best lesson that broad-minded, curious design students fascinated by the future and keen to take a leading role going forward could possibly receive; a lesson now enriched by the exciting new possibilities offered by Caimi’s Open Lab. With Caimi students can think about how to tackle today’s challenges and even imagining those of tomorrow, through the sharing of research activities.”
Niccolò Casiddu,
Director of the Department of Architecture and
Design University of Genoa
“Considering industrial research as a driver of cultural development puts the Museum and Caimi on the same wavelength in the parallel development of shared activities. In this respect, the soon-to-be-inaugurated Caimi Open Lab, with its international outreach and welcoming attitude towards compatible public institutions, represents a rare example of cooperation.”
Fiorenzo Galli,
General Manager of
Leonardo da Vinci National Museum
of Science and Technology, Milan
“… Open Lab, the latest initiative from Caimi, which has once again shown that top-notch design is firmly ingrained in both the family’s and the company’s DNA.”
Luciano Galimberti,
Chairman of ADI
Industrial Design Association