Slow Research Lab

What Slow Research Lab does

Slow Research Lab (also branded as slowLab) is a multidisciplinary research and curatorial platform founded in 2003 and based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The organization is built around the philosophical and methodological framework of "Slow" — applied to design, spatial practice, and creative research — and structures its work through an Inquiry framework organized along the dimensions of TIME, SPACE, and SCALE. Its program portfolio comprises Research Residencies, Immersive Study Experiences (8-15 participants, 5-10 days), In-Situ Dialogues, Reading Groups, Workshops, and Exhibitions delivered in collaboration with cultural institutions including the Noguchi Museum, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Pratt Manhattan Gallery, Lloyd Hotel & Cultural Embassy, Marres, the Canadian Centre for Architecture, Oberlin College, and the Icelandic Academy of the Arts.

The lab's underlying intellectual assets are two foundational books — Slow Reader: A Resource for Design Thinking and Practice (Valiz, 2016) and Slow Spatial Reader: Chronicles of Radical Affection (Valiz, 2021, featuring 30 contributors from 24 countries) — alongside a distilled "Slow Tools" methodology set (Receptivity, Daring, Intimacy, Inclusion, Trust, Not-Knowing), a long-running Conversations interview archive, the AI Murmurings podcast (in partnership with the Australian Institute for Machine Learning and the Sia Furler Institute at the University of Adelaide), and a Landscape of Care Handbook. The technology footprint is minimal: the platform has no software product, no mobile app, no API, and no proprietary AI/ML model; its distribution and engagement run through the slowlab.net website, Valiz for print, and major podcast platforms for audio content.

Commercial revenue is generated across five project-based streams: book sales through Valiz (one-time/per-copy), fee-based research residencies, paid immersive study experiences, exhibition and curatorial services to cultural institutions, and the podcast. Distribution is hybrid: direct via the website, through Valiz as channel partner for print, and via cultural institution partners for programs. Grants (e.g., Creative Industries Fund NL) supplement the model. The organization is privately held, founder-led (with Carolyn F. Strauss as lead editor), and shows no evidence of institutional equity investment or scaled commercial operations; it is best understood as an independent curatorial and design-research studio rather than a venture-backed business.

Name

Slow Research Lab

Legal name

Slow Research Lab

Website

https://slowlab.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Slow Research Lab is an Amsterdam-based, founder-led curatorial platform founded in 2003 that develops and disseminates "Slow" design and spatial research through books, residencies, exhibitions, immersive study experiences, and the AI Murmurings podcast, serving creative practitioners, academics, and cultural institutions worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Design Research & Curatorial Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research & Lab-Based Short-Term Programs (Undergraduate/Graduate) (EDAIAIAF), Research Collaboration & Joint Labs (International Partnerships) (EDAIABAC)

Keywords

• Design research services
• Curatorial programming
• Artistic research
• Creative residencies
• Scholarly publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Publications: Sale of published books and academic papers including Slow Reader and Slow Spatial Reader through Valiz publisher and potentially other channels.
2. Research Residencies: Fee-based research residency programs where Slow Research Lab partners with host institutions to facilitate immersive, site-specific research activities. Most extensive residency was the 2-year SLOW LLOYD collaboration (2010-12).
3. Immersive Study Experiences: Curated retreats for groups of 8-15 people, ranging from 5-10 days, combining landscape immersion with cultural exploration and group discussions. Examples include RESONANT BODIES (Sibenik, Croatia 2019), LANDSCAPE OF CARE (Morocco 2019), and BAMBOO DIALOGUES (California 2016).
4. Exhibition Services: Curatorial and exhibition services provided to cultural institutions including Noguchi Museum, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Pratt Manhattan Gallery, and others.
5. Podcast Content: AI Murmurings podcast series exploring artificial intelligence through artistic research lens, created in collaboration with Australian Institute for Machine Learning and Sia Furler Institute (University of Adelaide).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Slow Research Lab is a multidisciplinary research and curatorial platform that designs and delivers inquiry-based programs (Research Residencies, Immersive Study Experiences, In-Situ Dialogues, Workshops, Reading Groups) and exhibitions for cultural and academic institutions, alongside the AI MURMURINGS podcast and books published by Valiz. Offerings are grounded in 'slow' philosophy and organized through an Inquiry Framework exploring TIME, SPACE, and SCALE dimensions.

Product overview

Slow Research Lab is a multidisciplinary research and curatorial platform based in the Netherlands offering a portfolio of interconnected programs, publications, and frameworks. The core offering consists of inquiry-based programs (Research Residencies, Immersive Study Experiences, In-Situ Dialogues, Workshops, and Reading Groups), exhibitions, and the AI MURMURINGS podcast. Key publications include the Slow Reader (2016) and Slow Spatial Reader (2021) books published by Valiz. The platform is organized through an Inquiry Framework exploring TIME, SPACE, and SCALE dimensions. All offerings are grounded in 'Slow' philosophy emphasizing mindfulness, presence, and deep engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AI MURMURINGS Podcast A podcast series of conversations exploring artificial intelligence through an artistic research lens, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, created in collaboration with the Australian Institute for Machine Learning and the Sia Furler Institute at the University of Adelaide.
• Exhibitions Program Curatorial exhibition services delivered in partnership with cultural institutions including Noguchi Museum, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Pratt Manhattan Gallery, and Marres House for Contemporary Culture, approached as dynamic experiential spaces rather than static displays.
• Research Residencies Fee-based in-depth research collaborations with host institutions where curated individuals and groups engage in immersive, site-specific research activities. The most extensive example is the 2-year SLOW LLOYD residency (2010-12) with the Lloyd Hotel & Cultural Embassy.
• Immersive Study Experiences Curated retreats for groups of 8-15 people lasting 5-10 days, combining landscape immersion, cultural exploration, and group discussion. Examples include RESONANT BODIES (Sibenik, Croatia 2019), LANDSCAPE OF CARE (Morocco 2019), and BAMBOO DIALOGUES (California 2016).
• Reading Groups Alternative readings exploring slow reading methodologies and dialogue-based learning for academic and creative practitioner audiences.
• Workshops Open, horizontal, intimate, cooperative workshops emphasizing sensory and intuitive approaches for creative practitioners and academics.
• In-Situ Dialogues Site-specific activations through curated discussions, performance, sensory experiences, and food experiences hosted at partner cultural institutions.
• Slow Reader: A Resource for Design Thinking and Practice Foundational book offering alternative visions for spatial, relational, and temporal potentials of design, published by Valiz (Amsterdam) at €19.50 per copy in paperback.
• Slow Spatial Reader: Chronicles of Radical Affection Scholarly book exploring space through the lens of Slow research, published by Valiz (Amsterdam) in July 2021, featuring 30 contributors from 24 countries.
• Slow Tools Practices A distilled collection of philosophical and creative tools (including Receptivity, Daring, Intimacy, Inclusion, Trust, and Not-Knowing) offering pathways to heightened awareness and care, drawn from the platform's investigation of thinkers and practitioners.
• Publications Articles, conference papers, and book chapters documenting the evolving trajectory of Slow Research Lab's thinking since inception, available through the platform's Resources section.
• Conversations Video and audio interviews with thinkers and practitioners aligned with the Slow knowledge framework, hosted since 2003.
• Landscape of Care Handbook Handbook for urban design engagement published in 2020 on Issuu, accompanying the LANDSCAPE OF CARE immersive study experience.

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, regular and supporting.

• Australian Institute for Machine Learning (University of Adelaide)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Collaboration on the AI MURMURINGS podcast - a series of conversations exploring 'murmuring becomings' of artificial intelligence. Part of a first-of-its-kind artistic research program called Art Intelligence (artintelligence.ai/).
• Sia Furler Institute (University of Adelaide)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Collaboration on AI MURMURINGS podcast as part of the Art Intelligence artistic research program. Contributed to exploring AI through artistic and cultural perspectives.
• Lloyd Hotel & Cultural EmbassycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Most extensive research residency partnership - a 2-year collaboration (SLOW LLOYD 2010-12) investigating how Slow ideas, values and methods might enhance the Lloyd's enterprise and cultural offerings. Involved hundreds of designers, architects, social and environmental innovators, students, and community members in 'Slowing experiments.' The result was a wide-ranging agenda for a 'Slower' Lloyd including new functional, spatial, temporal, sensorial, and social site layers.
• Valiz (Amsterdam)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary publishing partner for Slow Research Lab's publications including Slow Reader (2016) and Slow Spatial Reader (2021). Valiz handles distribution of these scholarly works to the broader design and academic community.
• Noguchi MuseummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExhibition partnership - Maria Blaisse's 'BREATHING SPHERE' installed amidst the permanent collection (2014-15), bringing dynamic design practice into intimate encounter with Isamu Noguchi's oeuvre. Also hosted PERFORMING FORM (2014-15) in collaboration with Maria Blaisse.
• Yerba Buena Center for the ArtsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExhibition partnership - SLOW DIALOGUES: TIME, SPACE, AND SCALE (2016), bringing slow research methodologies to San Francisco audiences.
• Pratt Manhattan GallerymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExhibition partnership - DUST, DIALOGUE AND UNCERTAINTY (2014-15), co-curated by Ana Paula Pais. Also hosted Julia Mandle's 'Dirty Cookies' installation.
• Marres House for Contemporary CultureregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for in-situ dialogues including IMPROVISATION FOR PAINTING performance (2017) by Hrafnhildur Helgadóttir and LISTENING WALK (2017) curated by Christopher Tignor.
• Canadian Centre for ArchitectureregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on SLOW CITY WALKS program (Canada, 2009), exploring slow methodologies in urban contexts.
• Oberlin CollegeregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on WADDEN ISLAND IMMERSION program (Netherlands, 2009), involving immersive study experiences for college students.
• Icelandic Academy of the ArtsregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for SENSING LANDSCAPE immersive study experience (Iceland, 2005), exploring landscape through slow research methodologies.
• Salima Naji (architect)regularStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with architect Salima Naji on LANDSCAPE OF CARE immersive study experience (Tiznit, Morocco, 2019).
• Edward Taylor (Soft Gold)supportingTechnology or IntegrationLogo design for AI Murmurings podcast.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Domus: Long-running Italian design and architecture magazine with associated events, books, and editorial projects. Comparable to Slow Research Lab in operating an editorial/research-led model with deep engagement in design theory and practice.
• Casco Art Institute: Utrecht-based institute for curatorial research and artistic practice producing exhibitions, publications, and long-form projects. Comparable to Slow Research Lab as a small, research-driven Dutch curatorial platform with international scope and a publication program.
• Design Indaba: South Africa–rooted design platform producing conferences, publications, and curated creative programming globally. Comparable to Slow Research Lab in combining content publishing, events, and a curated community of multidisciplinary designers and thinkers.
• Droog Design: Amsterdam-based design platform known for curatorial projects, experimental product collaborations, and designer-driven programs. Shares Slow Research Lab's Dutch base, curatorial-led model, and emphasis on alternative design thinking.
• Het Nieuwe Instituut: Dutch national museum and institute for architecture, design, and digital culture. Directly comparable to Slow Research Lab as a Netherlands-based curatorial and research platform operating at the intersection of design research, exhibitions, and public programming.
• e-flux Architecture: Global architecture and design publishing and events platform distributing critical essays, announcements, and project documentation. Comparable to Slow Research Lab as a content- and publication-led platform engaging practitioners through curated intellectual discourse.

Broad incumbents

• Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam: Amsterdam museum of modern and contemporary art and design. Shares geography and curatorial interest in design with Slow Research Lab, but operates as a major collecting institution with a much broader arts portfolio.
• Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum: US Smithsonian design museum with a national collection, exhibitions, and a design research/education mandate. Comparable in curatorial approach to design but operates at much larger institutional scale and with broader portfolio scope.
• Vitra Design Museum: German design museum with exhibitions, publications, and research programming on furniture, architecture, and contemporary design. Comparable to Slow Research Lab's curatorial exhibitions and design-research publications, but as a larger established museum institution.

Others

• AIGA: US professional association for design with publications, conferences, and educational programming. Adjacent to Slow Research Lab's design-community-building work rather than a direct competitor; useful as a comparison for design community/education infrastructure at scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Slow-Research-Lab-521209454558616
• Instagraminstagram.com/slowresearchlab
• Xx.com/slowlab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/slowresearchlab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Slow Research Lab