This article was published 10 years This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado teams up with Benchmark’s cabinetmaker Max to fit the Red Cross fix, they bring pre-fabricated parts on site and prepare the new storage system ready for use… 09:00: It is Saturday morning, having collected the materials and tools…
Tag: Residency
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado prototypes new paddles
This article was published 10 years 06:00: I wake up in Hungerford, and begin my day by researching existing paddles. Today I will prepare some different versions for Heidi to test out at the next canoe training session. I get ready and leave for work. 07:30: When I arrive at…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado runs fixing workshop for Two Saints
This article was published 10 years This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado tests out a new handle for Sean Sutcliffe’s portable samples case, collects scrap material and charity shop finds, and leads the second workshop for local homeless charity Two Saints. 06:00: I wake up in Hungerford and get…
Confessions of a Design Geek
Design Museum announces 2016 Designers in Residence
This article was published 10 years London’s Design Museum has announced the ninth cohort of new designers to benefit from its annual Designers in Residence programme. The four are Alix Bizet, Clementine Blakemore, Andrea de Chirico and Rain Wu. The designers will spend the next four months responding to the…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado prepares for Red Cross charity shop fix
This article was published 10 years This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado, learns about ordering materials in the workshop, prepares wood in the mill and makes the final Red Cross charity shop fix… 06:00: I wake up in Hungerford and get ready for work. 07:00: I start the day…
a day in the life
Fixperts Resident makes remote fixes through social media
This article was published 10 years This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado transforms nutcrackers into bleach bottle openers, finalises two pairs of adapted nail clippers for limited hand dexterity, and makes a plastic art tray test for a young woman with autism… 05:55: I wake up and get ready for…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado learns about the risky, the worthwhile and the possible
This article was published 10 years This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado visits the Dingley centre to meet an occupational therapist to get feedback on some of her ideas, and makes Heidi a playing cards tray… 07:00: I wake up in Hungerford and gather my camera, measuring equipment and sketchbook. 07:30:…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado has a day of testing with Fix Partners
This article was published 10 years This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado builds an art tray prototype for Fix Partner Philly’s wheelchair, visits new week-old twins, and delivers a resonance board to the Dingley Centre… 06:20: I wake up and get ready for work. I have some Swedish ‘quilted…
a day in the life
Fixperts resident helps the homeless make things with Benchmark offcuts
This article was published 10 years This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado gathers oak offcuts, packs up tools and materials and leads a making workshop for residents at local housing charity Two Saints’ hostel… 06:20: I wake up and ensure that my camera batteries are charged, as today my…
a day in the life
Benchmarks’ resident Fixpert Maya Alvarado designs ‘wearable toothbrushes’
This article was published 10 years This week, British Furniture Manufacturer Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado delivers the second sofa fix to The Dingley Centre, puts up a new coat hook for their staff and designs some alternative toothbrushes… 06:20: I wake up in Hungerford and get my things ready for…
a day in the life
Team Benchmark go on a canoeing day trip with Heidi and her family
This article was published 10 years This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado heads out with Kevin, Mike, Colin and Danny from the Benchmark team on a canoe day with Heidi and her family… 05:30: It’s Saturday. I wake up very early at my parents’ house in North London to…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado adapts a sofa to make it safer for children with special needs
This article was published 10 years This week, Benchmark’s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado visits The Dingley Early Years Centre, finds some seats to fix and starts the refurbishment of a small sofa… 06:20: I wake up and get ready for work. Today I’m looking forward to visiting the Dingley Centre,…
a day in the life
Maya Alvarado meets a new Fix Partner and prototypes paddles
This article was published 10 years This week, Benchmark‘s resident Fixpert, Maya Alvarado visits Fix Partner Anne at the Red Cross Charity Shop, seeks out potential fixes and makes paddle prototypes for canoe trip with Heidi… 07:30: I wake up and get ready to go and meet my new Fix…
a day in the life
A day in the life of the Benchmark Fixperts Resident
This article was published 11 years This week, Fixperts Resident Maya Alvarado tries her new Benchmark uniform for size, puts the finishing touches on Heidi’s utensils, continues work on her tray for Mrs Ellis and gets inspiration from some fellow Fixperts… 06:50: I wake up and get ready for work. It feels too early for…
a day in the life
Benchmark selects first Fixperts Resident
This article was published 11 years Kingston University graduate Maya Alvarado has been selected for the first Fixperts Residency and will spend the next year aligned to a master craftsman at British furniture maker Benchmark’s workshop, solving problems. Alvarado, who will be writing a weekly column for confessions of a…