Bricolo Box was part of my final year project at the designschool in Zurich, Switzerland in Summer 2007.

With Bricolo Box and my thesis "Tinkering - Not a Child's Play" I wanted to improve the understanding of tinkering as an activity.


Usually, in the context of children‘s activities, tinkering is regarded as a very meaningful activity. It enhances creativity and trains manual dexterity. In the adult world, however, the notion of tinkering (especially the German term ”Basteln”) comes with negative connotations. The term is closely associated with dilettantish activity which people tend to avoid.

But it is precisely for adults who usually plan ahead and are often oriented towards results and quality that tinkering presents a challenge - and thus not a child‘s play!