# Saad Chinoy — Make Things That Make Sense

*Singapore · Maker-at-Large*

**The Caffeine-Powered Creative. Technologist for the Common Good.**

I'm Saad Chinoy — a maker, systems designer, open-hardware advocate, and biomaker working at the intersection of art, science, and community. For what feels like a lifetime, I've been building tools, spaces, and practices that put technology in service of people — not the other way around.

## About

Equal parts barista, biologist, and systems thinker. I founded SalvageGarden in 2018 as a space where broken things become building blocks — where e-waste becomes educational kit and discarded hardware becomes assistive technology.

My practice lives at the art-science boundary: co-creating tactile games with disability communities, fermenting SCOBY bioplastics, running microbial fuel cell workshops, and building open-source braille printers across Southeast Asia.

I believe open source is infrastructure for democracy. The recipe should always be shared.

### Guiding Principles

01. **Reflexive Making** — Constant questioning of the tool and the result.
02. **Frugal Innovation** — Maximising utility with minimal resources.
03. **Salvage-Design** — Repair, reuse, and repurpose over buying new.
04. **Inclusive Co-Creation** — Making with communities, not for them.
05. **Open Source as Empowerment** — Technical transparency as a social right.

## Timeline (2013–2026)

### 2026

- **Mar** — [FOSSASIA Summit 2026 (Bangkok)](https://summit.fossasia.org/) · Speaker · _Speaking_ · `Tech Salvage`
- **Feb** — [OSHWA Lightning Talk](https://www.oshwa.org/) · Speaker · _Speaking_ · `Open Governance`
- **Feb** — IdeasFest 2026: Vegan Leather Workshop · Facilitator · _Workshop_ · `Bio Making`
- **Jan** — 2026 Inclusion Roadmap · Author · _Strategy_ · `Inclusive Design`

### 2025

- **Dec** — [ST Feature: SalvageGarden](https://www.straitstimes.com/) · Founder · _Media_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Nov** — [FAN25: Prototyping Fab Cities](https://fab.city/) · Lead · _Workshop_ · `Tech Salvage`
- **Oct** — [i'mable × Salvage Garden](https://www.imable.sg/) · Strategy Lead · _Strategy_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Oct** — [M.I.T. Sundays National Expansion](https://www.nlb.gov.sg/) · Expansion Lead · _Milestone_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Oct** — [i'mable (SG Enable) Panel](https://www.imable.sg/) · Advisor · _Advisory_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Sep** — [ASM: Another World Is Possible](https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/artscience-museum.html) · Collaborator · _Exhibition_ · `Critical Play` 🎨
- **Aug** — ASEAN Maker Gathering · Keynote · _Speaking_ · `Open Governance`
- **Jul** — Street2Paradise (C&T Case Study) · Researcher · _Research_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Jul** — [SpudnikLab Bali Science Kit](https://spudniklab.com/) · Facilitator · _Workshop_ · `Digital Equity`
- **Jun** — [GOSH Community Call](https://openhardware.science/) · Leader · _Facilitator_ · `Open Governance`
- **Jun** — IASDR 2025 DESIGN NEXT (Taipei) · Presenter · _Conference_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **May** — [OSHWA: Re-making an Open Source Braille Printer](https://2025.oshwa.org/talks/170-saad-chinoy/) · Speaker · _Speaking_ · `Open Governance`
- **May** — [Make-a-thek / GIG Showcase](https://gig.global/) · Speaker · _Speaking_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **May** — BrailleRap Replication Strategy · Lead · _Strategy_ · `Open Governance`
- **Apr** — [Curious Worlds: Brain & Body](https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/events/curious-worlds.html) · Exhibitor · _Exhibition_ · `Inclusive Design` 🎨
- **Mar** — [FOSSASIA Circular Economy Panel](https://summit.fossasia.org/) · Moderator · _Speaking_ · `Tech Salvage`
- **Feb** — [CNA Profile: Makers of Singapore](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/) · Featured · _Media_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Jan** — [Bespoke Tools: Irene Lim](https://www.asiaautomate.com/articles/3d-printed-hands-tools-co-created-by-singapore-non-profit-group-plug-assistive-tech-gaps) · Co-Creator · _Project_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Jan** — IAAC: Activating Communities — Hyperlocal Recycling, 3D Prints, and Inclusion · Guest Lecturer · _Guest Lecture_ · `Inclusive Design`

### 2024

- **Dec** — [Fab City Global Initiative](https://fab.city/) · Contributor · _Advisory_ · `Open Governance`
- **Oct** — [NLB: Makers Next Door Profile](https://www.nlb.gov.sg/) · Featured · _Media_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Aug** — [MothboxSG (Citizen Science)](https://www.printables.com/model/1537968-mothbox-diy-v4) · Technical Lead · _Project_ · `Bio Making`
- **Aug** — [BiodiverCities Challenge (Mexico)](https://challenge.fab.city/challenges/fab-city-challenge-mexico) · Winner · _Project_ · `Bio Making`
- **Jul** — Slogan: Make Things That Make Sense · Author · _Philosophy_ · `Open Governance`
- **Jun** — Trotify (BikingHacks Coconut) · Maker · _Project_ · `Critical Play`
- **May** — [re:publica 24: Constructive Care Cafe (DIY Caffeinator)](https://re-publica.com/de/session/constructive-care-cafe) · Co-Host (w/ Regina Sipos, Adriana Cabrera) · _Technical_ · `Tech Salvage`
- **May** — [re:publica 24: BrailleRap Bhutan — how we replicated an open-source braille printer and so can you](https://re-publica.com/de/session/braillerap-bhutan-how-we-replicated-opensource-braille-printer-and-so-can-you) · Speaker (w/ Felipe Schmidt Fonseca) · _Speaking_ · `Open Governance`
- **Mar** — [GOSH Governance Roadmap](https://openhardware.science/) · Author · _Strategy_ · `Open Governance`
- **Feb** — [FOSSASIA Summit 2024 (Hanoi)](https://summit.fossasia.org/) · Speaker · _Speaking_ · `Tech Salvage`
- **Jan** — Design Thinking at SJINML (NUS Enterprise) · Facilitator · _Guest Session_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Jan** — AI in Frugal Innovation · Researcher · _Project_ · `Tech Salvage`

### 2023

- **Dec** — [SalvageGarden 5th Anniversary](https://salvagegarden.org/) · Founder · _Milestone_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Nov** — Tactile TicTacToe T3 · Designer · _Project_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Oct** — [GIG: Curating A Curious Mind](https://gig.global/) · Author · _Article_ · `Open Governance`
- **Oct** — Wikimania 2023 · Attendee / Contributor · _Conference_ · `Open Governance`
- **Sep** — Tactile Coin Holder (Punggol) · Designer · _Project_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Sep** — "Intimacy with Nature" BioArt Workshop (Singapore Art Museum) · Facilitator · _Workshop_ · `Bio Making` 🎨
- **May** — Regional Inclusive Design Hubs · Lead · _Strategy_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Mar** — FREAK lab: Microbial Fuel Cells · Facilitator · _Workshop_ · `Bio Making`
- **Feb** — NTU CCA IdeasFest III: "FOOD — Eat. Secure. Sustain." · Lecturer · _Speaking_ · `Bio Making`
- **Feb** — IdeasFest III: Vegan Leather · Facilitator · _Workshop_ · `Bio Making`
- **Jan** — [Punggol MakerIT Launch](https://www.nlb.gov.sg/) · Advisor · _Milestone_ · `Inclusive Design`

### 2022

- **Dec** — [SpudnikLab Regional Outreach](https://spudniklab.com/) · Lead · _Milestone_ · `Digital Equity`
- **Nov** — Fab23 (Bhutan Challenge): Open Source Dzongkha BrailleRap · Lead · _Challenge_ · `Open Governance`
- **Nov** — Murrow Conference on Digital Media Policy · Speaker · _Conference_ · `Open Governance`
- **Nov** — Critical Making for Social Good · Facilitator · _Workshop_ · `Open Governance`
- **Oct** — Bali Fab Fest Workshop · Facilitator · _Workshop_ · `Tech Salvage`
- **Oct** — SCOBY Bio-materials Study · Lead · _Research_ · `Bio Making`
- **Aug** — Projector X: Picturehouse Launch · Creative Tech · _Technical_ · `Tech Salvage` 🎨
- **Jul** — [Dinacon: Bioplastics & SCOBY](https://dinacon.org/) · Facilitator · _Workshop_ · `Bio Making`
- **Jul** — [Dinacon: Papaya-based Coffee](https://dinacon.org/) · Facilitator · _Workshop_ · `Bio Making`
- **Jul** — ShroomMonitor (Fluffynator) · Co-Maker (w/ Cris Silva, Pramo, Brian) · _Project_ · `Bio Making`
- **Jun** — [re:publica 22: Cards Against Planet](https://re-publica.com/) · Creator · _Art_ · `Critical Play` 🎨
- **Mar** — Making with Meaning Panel · Panelist · _Speaking_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Jan** — Critical Making Toolbox · Contributor · _Toolbox_ · `Open Governance`

### 2021

- **Dec** — Low-cost Screen Reader Hack · Technical Lead · _Project_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **May** — [Hackaday Podcast (Ep ~354)](https://hackaday.com/tag/hackaday-podcast/) · Featured · _Media_ · `Tech Salvage`
- **Apr** — Projector X: Riverside · Salvage Tech · _Milestone_ · `Tech Salvage` 🎨
- **Feb** — Remote Collaborative Making · Facilitator · _Workshop_ · `Digital Equity`

### 2020

- **Sep** — Global BioSummit · Speaker & Lab Lead · _Summit_ · `Bio Making`
- **Jul** — Pandemic Maker Support · Lead · _Project_ · `Tech Salvage`
- **Apr** — DIY PPE (Flexible Filament) · Maker · _Project_ · `Tech Salvage`

### 2019

- **Sep** — [AFCC: Minecraft/Roblox Panel](https://www.bookcouncil.sg/) · Moderator · _Moderator_ · `Critical Play`
- **Apr** — AfricaOSH Summit (Dar es Salaam) · Delegate · _Summit_ · `Open Governance`
- **Mar** — [Open Hardware for All (GOSH)](https://openhardware.science/) · Speaker · _Speaking_ · `Open Governance`

### 2018

- **Dec** — SSMLab Final Gathering (Bishoftu) · Strategic Lead · _Milestone_ · `Asknet`
- **Dec** — [35C3 (CCC): Jean Cloud](https://events.ccc.de/congress/2018/) · Designer · _Art_ · `Critical Play` 🎨
- **Dec** — SSMLab Advocacy Whitepaper · Co-Author · _Publication_ · `Open Governance`
- **Nov** — The Caffeinator (Jogja) · Facilitator · _Workshop_ · `Bio Making`
- **Nov** — Imagine We (Kigali) Consultant · Consultant · _Technical_ · `Digital Equity`
- **Nov** — Kweeta/CIPESA (Kampala) · Collaborator · _Technical_ · `Digital Equity`
- **Oct** — [GOSH 2018 (Shenzhen)](https://openhardware.science/) · Advisor · _Advisory_ · `Open Governance`
- **Oct** — SSMLab Step Up (Addis Ababa) · Presenter · _Speaking_ · `Open Governance`
- **Jun** — Nine Tales Launch · Systems Lead · _Technical_ · `Digital Equity`
- **Jun** — [Dinacon: Mud-Microbial Fuel Cell](https://dinacon.org/) · Researcher · _Project_ · `Bio Making`

### 2017

- **Aug** — Microbial Fuel Cells (SG Hack & Tell) · Speaker · _Speaking_ · `Bio Making`
- **May** — [re:publica 17: "Darling leave a light on for me" — DIY interactive love letters](https://17.re-publica.com/en/tags/global-innovation-gathering-gig.html) · Facilitator (GIG Makerspace) · _Workshop_ · `Critical Play`
- **Mar** — "Path to Designing for Persons with Disabilities" (National Design Centre launch) · Speaker · _Launch_ · `Inclusive Design`
- **Feb** — Hacking the Future Workshop · Speaker · _Speaking_ · `Critical Play`
- **Jan** — DOKU:TECH 2017 · Speaker · _Talk_ · `Open Governance`

### 2016

- **Dec** — First Salvage Build · Lead · _Milestone_ · `Tech Salvage`
- **Oct** — Under My Umbrella (Hackware) · Speaker · _Speaking_ · `Tech Salvage`

### 2015

- **Dec** — Titian Budaya (Kuala Lumpur) · Exhibitor · _Art_ · `Critical Play` 🎨
- **Jul** — Hackerspace Travelogues 2.0 · Speaker · _Speaking_ · `Open Governance`
- **Jun** — [Early Spudnik Experiments](https://spudniklab.com/) · Lead · _Project_ · `Digital Equity`
- **May** — SelfieMirror (ArtScience Late) · Exhibitor · _Art_ · `Critical Play` 🎨
- **May** — Butt-Activated Selfie Booth (Maker Faire) · Lead Maker · _Milestone_ · `Critical Play` 🎨

### 2014

- **Aug** — DIYSUB Surabaya: Caffeinator · Facilitator · _Workshop_ · `Tech Salvage`
- **Jun** — Singapore Maker Festival: Original Caffeinator · Maker · _Project_ · `Tech Salvage`
- **Jan** — Entry: The Maker Movement Begins · Origin · _Milestone_ · `Critical Play`

### 2013

- **Jul** — Mini Maker Faire Singapore Debut · Exhibitor · _Milestone_ · `Critical Play`

## Evergreen Projects

### M4tch
*Designer · Inclusive Design*
Tactile Connect Four variant — a game everyone can play.

### Recreator3D & Polyformer
*Maker · Tech Salvage*
Building and deploying open-source PET bottle-to-filament machines for hyperlocal plastic recycling — closing the loop between waste and 3D printing material at community scale.

### Kombucha SCOBY Vegan Leather
*Maker · Bio Making*
Growing biomaterial from kombucha culture — fermenting SCOBY into flexible, leather-like sheets as a zero-waste alternative to petrochemical textiles.

### The Caffeinator
*Maker · Tech Salvage*
Upcycled cold brew machine. The OG build. Shown at Singapore Maker Festival 2014 and across Southeast Asia.

### Selfiebooth
*Maker · Critical Play*
Raspberry Pi kiosk. Butt-activated. Exhibited at Maker Faire 2015.

### [GutBox](https://github.com/saadcaffeine/gutBox)
*Maker · Bio Making*
Fermentation controller for the curious home scientist.

### ShroomMonitor (Fluffynator)
*Co-Maker · Bio Making*
Mushroom cultivation monitor built with Cris Silva, Pramo, and Brian at Dinacon 2022. Grown, not bought.

### [Doodle3D SG](https://github.com/saadcaffeine/Doodle3D-Transform-SG)
*Developer · Tech Salvage*
Revives an orphaned open-source project — adapting Doodle3D Transform to run offline or in remote environments via Raspberry Pi, making 2D-to-3D drawing accessible without reliable internet.

## Talks & Speaking

### 2026

- **Talk** — [re:publica 2026 (Berlin): "Imagine Dragons: Critical Participatory Co-Design"](https://re-publica.com/de/session/imagine-dragons-critical-participatory-co-design-strange-camera) · Speaker, with Regina Sipos & Daniel Wessolek
- **Talk** — [re:publica 2026 (Berlin): "AI Around Us"](https://re-publica.com/de/session/ai-around-us-tools-markets-and-future-work) · Speaker, with Fadia Elgharib & Salih Mahmod
- **Talk** — [re:publica 2026 (Berlin): "Error 418: The First Webcam"](https://re-publica.com/de/session/error-418-first-webcam) · Speaker
- **Talk** — FOSSASIA Summit 2026 (Bangkok) · Speaker
- **Workshop** — IdeasFest 2026: Vegan Leather Workshop · Facilitator

### 2025

- **Guest Lecture** — IAAC: "Activating Communities — Hyperlocal Recycling, 3D Prints, and Inclusion" · Guest Lecturer
- **Talk** — [Open Hardware Summit 2025: "Re-making an Open Source Braille Printer"](https://2025.oshwa.org/talks/170-saad-chinoy/) · Speaker
- **Conference** — IASDR 2025 DESIGN NEXT (Taipei) · Presenter
- **Exhibition** — ["Another World Is Possible" (ArtScience Museum) — global premiere, alongside Björk, Liam Young, and Serwah Attafuah](https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/exhibitions/another-world-is-possible.html) · Contributing Artist
- **Exhibition** — [Curious Worlds (ArtScience Museum) — assistive tech showcase, ArtScience Lab](https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/events/curious-worlds.html) · Exhibitor

### 2024

- **Challenge** — FabCity Challenge 2024 (Mexico): "BiodiverCiudades / Fabricating Equity" · Winner
- **Talk** — FOSSASIA Summit 2024 (Hanoi) · Speaker
- **Guest Session** — Design Thinking at SJINML (NUS Enterprise) · Facilitator
- **Workshop** — [re:publica 24: "BrailleRap Bhutan — how we replicated an open-source braille printer and so can you"](https://re-publica.com/de/session/braillerap-bhutan-how-we-replicated-opensource-braille-printer-and-so-can-you) · Speaker, with Felipe Schmidt Fonseca
- **Workshop** — [re:publica 24: "Constructive Care Cafe" — building the DIY Caffeinator](https://re-publica.com/de/session/constructive-care-cafe) · Co-Host, with Regina Sipos & Adriana Cabrera

### 2023

- **Lecture** — NTU CCA IdeasFest III: "FOOD — Eat. Secure. Sustain." · Lecturer
- **Conference** — Wikimania 2023 · Attendee / Contributor
- **Workshop** — "Intimacy with Nature" BioArt Workshop (Singapore Art Museum) · Facilitator

### 2022

- **Challenge** — Fab23 (Bhutan Challenge): Open Source Dzongkha BrailleRap · Lead
- **Conference** — Murrow Conference on Digital Media Policy · Speaker
- **Workshop** — Bali Fab Fest Workshop · Facilitator

### 2020 – 2021

- **Summit** — Global BioSummit · Speaker & Lab Lead

### 2017 – 2019

- **Summit** — AfricaOSH Summit (Dar es Salaam) · Delegate
- **Launch** — "Path to Designing for Persons with Disabilities" (National Design Centre launch) · Speaker
- **Talk** — DOKU:TECH 2017 · Speaker
- **Workshop** — [re:publica 17: "Darling leave a light on for me" — DIY interactive love letters](https://17.re-publica.com/en/tags/global-innovation-gathering-gig.html) · Facilitator, GIG Makerspace

### 2015

- **Exhibition** — SelfieMirror (ArtScience Late) · Exhibitor

## Network & Advisory

- **[SpudnikLab](https://spudniklab.com/)** — Founder & Director. Digital equity through hands-on learning
- **[SalvageGarden](https://salvagegarden.org/)** — Founder. Repair culture & inclusive making since 2018
- **[GOSH Community Council](https://openhardware.science/)** — Community Council Member · since 2024. Gathering for Open Science Hardware
- **r0g_agency / SSMLab** — Strategic Board Member · since 2018. Open tech for Africa & Asia
- **[GIG — Global Innovation Gathering](https://gig.global/)** — Board Member. Grassroots tech communities worldwide
- **[Fab City Global Initiative](https://fab.city/)** — Contributor. Locally productive, globally connected cities
- **[OSHWA — Open Source Hardware Association](https://www.oshwa.org/)** — Member. Global open hardware standards & community
- **[AfricaOSH](https://africaosh.com/)** — Delegate · since 2018. Open science hardware across the African continent

## Contact

I'm open to collaborations in inclusive design, open hardware, bio-making, education, and creative tech. If your project has a soul and values the process as much as the product — let's talk.

**Primary:**
- [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/saadchinoy)
- [All Links](https://linktr.ee/saadcaffeine)

**Social & community:**
- [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/saadcaffeine.bsky.social)
- [GitHub](https://github.com/saadcaffeine)
- [Hackaday](https://hackaday.io/saadcaffeine)
- [Instagram](https://instagram.com/saadcaffeine)
- [Cults3D](https://cults3d.com/en/users/saadcaffeine)
- [Printables](https://www.printables.com/@saadcaffeine)
- [Thingiverse](https://www.thingiverse.com/saadcaffeine)
- [FabLabs.io](https://fablabs.io/users/saadcaffeine)

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© 2026 Saad Chinoy · @saadcaffeine · Made with coffee (the real thing)  
*Technologist for the Common Good.*

[View the interactive version →](https://saadcaffeine.github.io/about/)