Welcome to the UrbanTroop Maker Projects Lab
Blending Code, Creativity & Curiosity — One DIY Build at a Time
After 25+ years in IT and a love for photography and problem-solving, I’m finally launching a space that brings it all together — this is the start of something hands-on, geeky, and hopefully, very helpful.
👋 From Code to Creation — A New Chapter Begins
If you’ve followed UrbanTroop for a while, you probably know me as someone who’s into photography, tech, and sharing insights from the digital world.
But there’s another side to my story: I’ve always loved building things — both in the digital and physical world. After more than 25 years in IT, I’ve come to appreciate that some of the most fulfilling challenges are solved when technology meets reality.
That’s why I’m kicking off the new Maker Projects section — a space for DIY builds, real-world experimentation, and connecting logic to life.
🌿 What Sparked This? Orchids. Yes, Really.
It all started when I decided to finish my engineering degree — something I began almost two decades ago. Jumping back into C++ and Python triggered that old spark for problem-solving.
At the same time, I was learning how to care for orchids. Beautiful, moody plants that hate winter. Low humidity and cold air made them suffer, and I found myself constantly adjusting their setup just to keep them happy.
Then I asked myself: “What if I could automate this?” — and suddenly, everything changed.
🔧 What You’ll Find in the Maker Section
This new section is dedicated to Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and hands-on problem-solving with tech. Here’s what to expect:
🧪 Real-World DIY Projects
Smart Orchid Grow Chamber series
Fan controllers, lighting systems, sensor builds
Raspberry Pi automation projects
📸 Visual-First Content
Photo logs of each build
Step-by-step walkthroughs
Behind-the-scenes shots of my workspace
💡 Lessons From the Field
Successes and failures
Code and wiring diagrams
Practical insights from each project
📚 Learning & Resources
Getting started with Arduino & Pi
How to choose components
Where to get affordable gear locally
🧠 Why This Matters
We’re in an age where software drives everything — but making things still matters. It’s in the tinkering, building, testing, and iterating that the most rewarding skills are sharpened.
This section isn’t just about electronics — it’s about curiosity, creative problem-solving, and bringing personal passions like tech and gardening together into something tangible.
📬 What’s Coming Next
This blog post marks the beginning of an exciting series. First up is my journey building a Smart Orchid Grow Chamber. I’ll be sharing progress step by step — from concept to code, design to dirt.
If you love hands-on projects, follow along. Subscribe, leave a comment, or connect with me — especially if you’re working on something similar. I’d love to feature other maker journeys too.
