diff --git a/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Common/Providers/CommonAspectProviderTests.cs b/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Common/Providers/CommonAspectProviderTests.cs
index 73cbde057..210d12203 100644
--- a/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Common/Providers/CommonAspectProviderTests.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Common/Providers/CommonAspectProviderTests.cs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ using JetBrains.Annotations;
 using Moq;
 using NUnit.Framework;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Aspects;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData;
 using Orchard.Core.Common;
 using Orchard.Core.Common.Handlers;
 using Orchard.Core.Common.Models;
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ namespace Orchard.Core.Tests.Common.Providers {
         private Mock<IAuthenticationService> _authn;
         private Mock<IAuthorizationService> _authz;
         private Mock<IMembershipService> _membership;
+        private Mock<IContentDefinitionManager> _contentDefinitionManager;
 
         public override void Register(ContainerBuilder builder) {
             builder.RegisterType<DefaultContentManager>().As<IContentManager>();
@@ -35,11 +37,12 @@ namespace Orchard.Core.Tests.Common.Providers {
             _authn = new Mock<IAuthenticationService>();
             _authz = new Mock<IAuthorizationService>();
             _membership = new Mock<IMembershipService>();
+            _contentDefinitionManager = new Mock<IContentDefinitionManager>();
 
             builder.RegisterInstance(_authn.Object);
             builder.RegisterInstance(_authz.Object);
             builder.RegisterInstance(_membership.Object);
-
+            builder.RegisterInstance(_contentDefinitionManager.Object);
         }
 
         protected override IEnumerable<Type> DatabaseTypes {
diff --git a/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Common/Services/RoutableServiceTests.cs b/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Common/Services/RoutableServiceTests.cs
index 695589dbb..51d5af0d7 100644
--- a/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Common/Services/RoutableServiceTests.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Common/Services/RoutableServiceTests.cs
@@ -2,10 +2,12 @@
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using Autofac;
 using JetBrains.Annotations;
+using Moq;
 using NUnit.Framework;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Drivers;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Handlers;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Records;
 using Orchard.Core.Common.Models;
 using Orchard.Core.Common.Services;
@@ -27,6 +29,7 @@ namespace Orchard.Core.Tests.Common.Services {
         public override void Register(ContainerBuilder builder) {
             builder.RegisterType<DefaultContentManager>().As<IContentManager>();
             builder.RegisterType<DefaultContentManagerSession>().As<IContentManagerSession>();
+            builder.RegisterInstance(new Mock<IContentDefinitionManager>().Object);
 
             builder.RegisterType<ThingHandler>().As<IContentHandler>();
             builder.RegisterType<StuffHandler>().As<IContentHandler>();
diff --git a/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Feeds/Controllers/FeedControllerTests.cs b/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Feeds/Controllers/FeedControllerTests.cs
index e8cdd485a..3970d40f7 100644
--- a/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Feeds/Controllers/FeedControllerTests.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Feeds/Controllers/FeedControllerTests.cs
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ using Moq;
 using NUnit.Framework;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Handlers;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData.Builders;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData.Models;
 using Orchard.Core.Common.Models;
 using Orchard.Core.Feeds;
 using Orchard.Core.Feeds.Controllers;
@@ -145,7 +147,7 @@ namespace Orchard.Core.Tests.Feeds.Controllers {
         [Test]
         public void CorePartValuesAreExtracted() {
             var clock = new StubClock();
-            var hello = new ContentItemBuilder("hello")
+            var hello = new ContentItemBuilder(new ContentTypeDefinitionBuilder().Named("hello").Build())
                 .Weld<CommonAspect>()
                 .Weld<RoutableAspect>()
                 .Weld<BodyAspect>()
diff --git a/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Scheduling/ScheduledTaskExecutorTests.cs b/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Scheduling/ScheduledTaskExecutorTests.cs
index cf3d73786..485167ce4 100644
--- a/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Scheduling/ScheduledTaskExecutorTests.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Scheduling/ScheduledTaskExecutorTests.cs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ using Autofac;
 using Moq;
 using NUnit.Framework;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Records;
 using Orchard.Core.Scheduling.Models;
 using Orchard.Core.Scheduling.Services;
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ namespace Orchard.Core.Tests.Scheduling {
             builder.RegisterInstance(new Mock<IOrchardServices>().Object);
             builder.RegisterType<DefaultContentManager>().As<IContentManager>();
             builder.RegisterType<DefaultContentManagerSession>().As<IContentManagerSession>();
+            builder.RegisterInstance(new Mock<IContentDefinitionManager>().Object);
 
             builder.RegisterType<ScheduledTaskExecutor>().As<IBackgroundTask>().Named("ScheduledTaskExecutor", typeof(IBackgroundTask));
             builder.RegisterInstance(_handler).As<IScheduledTaskHandler>();
diff --git a/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Scheduling/ScheduledTaskManagerTests.cs b/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Scheduling/ScheduledTaskManagerTests.cs
index fe58b9a06..e67d666f5 100644
--- a/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Scheduling/ScheduledTaskManagerTests.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard.Core.Tests/Scheduling/ScheduledTaskManagerTests.cs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ using Autofac;
 using Moq;
 using NUnit.Framework;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Records;
 using Orchard.Core.Scheduling.Models;
 using Orchard.Core.Scheduling.Services;
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ namespace Orchard.Core.Tests.Scheduling {
             builder.RegisterInstance(_mockServices.Object);
             builder.RegisterType<DefaultContentManager>().As<IContentManager>();
             builder.RegisterType<DefaultContentManagerSession>().As<IContentManagerSession>();
+            builder.RegisterInstance(new Mock<IContentDefinitionManager>().Object);
 
             builder.RegisterType<ScheduledTaskManager>().As<IScheduledTaskManager>();
         }
diff --git a/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/ContentQueryTests.cs b/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/ContentQueryTests.cs
index 8b37ebe65..031108e64 100644
--- a/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/ContentQueryTests.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/ContentQueryTests.cs
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 using System.Linq;
 using Autofac;
+using Moq;
 using NHibernate;
 using NUnit.Framework;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData;
 using Orchard.Data;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Handlers;
@@ -44,6 +46,7 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement {
             builder.RegisterModule(new ContentModule());
             builder.RegisterType<DefaultContentManager>().As<IContentManager>().SingleInstance();
             builder.RegisterType<DefaultContentManagerSession>().As<IContentManagerSession>();
+            builder.RegisterInstance(new Mock<IContentDefinitionManager>().Object);
 
             builder.RegisterType<AlphaHandler>().As<IContentHandler>();
             builder.RegisterType<BetaHandler>().As<IContentHandler>();
diff --git a/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/DefaultContentManagerTests.cs b/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/DefaultContentManagerTests.cs
index 36de12e5d..5a0397f76 100644
--- a/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/DefaultContentManagerTests.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/DefaultContentManagerTests.cs
@@ -2,8 +2,11 @@
 using System.Diagnostics;
 using System.Linq;
 using Autofac;
+using Moq;
 using NHibernate;
 using NUnit.Framework;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData.Builders;
 using Orchard.Data;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Handlers;
@@ -18,6 +21,7 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement {
         private IContentManager _manager;
         private ISessionFactory _sessionFactory;
         private ISession _session;
+        private Mock<IContentDefinitionManager> _contentDefinitionManager;
 
         [TestFixtureSetUp]
         public void InitFixture() {
@@ -39,10 +43,12 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement {
 
         [SetUp]
         public void Init() {
+            _contentDefinitionManager = new Mock<IContentDefinitionManager>();
+
             var builder = new ContainerBuilder();
-            //builder.RegisterModule(new ImplicitCollectionSupportModule());
             builder.RegisterType<DefaultContentManager>().As<IContentManager>();
             builder.RegisterType<DefaultContentManagerSession>().As<IContentManagerSession>();
+            builder.RegisterInstance(_contentDefinitionManager.Object);
 
             builder.RegisterType<AlphaHandler>().As<IContentHandler>();
             builder.RegisterType<BetaHandler>().As<IContentHandler>();
@@ -459,6 +465,40 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement {
             Assert.That(gammas[3].Version, Is.EqualTo(4));
         }
 
+        [Test]
+        public void EmptyTypeDefinitionShouldBeCreatedIfNotAlreadyDefined() {
+            var contentItem = _manager.New("no-such-type");
+            Assert.That(contentItem.ContentType, Is.EqualTo("no-such-type"));
+            Assert.That(contentItem.TypeDefinition, Is.Not.Null);
+            Assert.That(contentItem.TypeDefinition.Name, Is.EqualTo("no-such-type"));
+            Assert.That(contentItem.TypeDefinition.Settings.Count(), Is.EqualTo(0));
+            Assert.That(contentItem.TypeDefinition.Parts.Count(), Is.EqualTo(0));
+        }
+
+
+        [Test]
+        public void ExistingTypeAndPartDefinitionShouldBeUsed() {
+            var alphaType = new ContentTypeDefinitionBuilder()
+                .Named("alpha")
+                .WithSetting("x", "1")
+                .WithPart("foo")
+                .WithPart("Flavored", part => part.WithSetting("spin", "clockwise"))
+                .Build();
+
+            _contentDefinitionManager
+                .Setup(x => x.GetTypeDefinition("alpha"))
+                .Returns(alphaType);
+
+            var contentItem = _manager.New("alpha");
+            Assert.That(contentItem.ContentType, Is.EqualTo("alpha"));
+            Assert.That(contentItem.TypeDefinition, Is.Not.Null);
+            Assert.That(contentItem.TypeDefinition, Is.SameAs(alphaType));
+
+            var flavored = contentItem.As<Flavored>();
+            Assert.That(flavored, Is.Not.Null);
+            Assert.That(flavored.TypePartDefinition, Is.Not.Null);
+            Assert.That(flavored.TypePartDefinition.Settings["spin"], Is.EqualTo("clockwise"));
+        }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/Handlers/ContentHandlerTests.cs b/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/Handlers/ContentHandlerTests.cs
index c7d7ae087..3f7b302e0 100644
--- a/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/Handlers/ContentHandlerTests.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/Handlers/ContentHandlerTests.cs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 using NUnit.Framework;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Handlers;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData.Builders;
 
 namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement.Handlers {
 
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement.Handlers {
         public void PartShouldBeAddedBasedOnSimplePredicate() {
             var modelDriver = new TestModelHandler();
 
-            var builder = new ContentItemBuilder("testing");
+            var builder = new ContentItemBuilder(new ContentTypeDefinitionBuilder().Named("testing").Build());
             ((IContentHandler)modelDriver).Activating(new ActivatingContentContext { Builder = builder, ContentType = "testing" });
             var model = builder.Build();
             Assert.That(model.Is<TestModelPart>(), Is.True);
diff --git a/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/Handlers/ModelBuilderTests.cs b/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/Handlers/ModelBuilderTests.cs
index ea19ecc5c..ab4aada7e 100644
--- a/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/Handlers/ModelBuilderTests.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/Handlers/ModelBuilderTests.cs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ using System.Text;
 using NUnit.Framework;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Handlers;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData.Builders;
 using Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement.Models;
 
 namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement.Handlers {
@@ -12,21 +13,21 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement.Handlers {
     public class ModelBuilderTests {
         [Test]
         public void BuilderShouldReturnWorkingModelWithTypeAndId() {
-            var builder = new ContentItemBuilder("foo");
+            var builder = new ContentItemBuilder(new ContentTypeDefinitionBuilder().Named("foo").Build());
             var model = builder.Build();
             Assert.That(model.ContentType, Is.EqualTo("foo"));
         }
 
         [Test]
         public void IdShouldDefaultToZero() {
-            var builder = new ContentItemBuilder("foo");
+            var builder = new ContentItemBuilder(new ContentTypeDefinitionBuilder().Named("foo").Build());
             var model = builder.Build();
             Assert.That(model.Id, Is.EqualTo(0));
         }
 
         [Test]
         public void WeldShouldAddPartToModel() {
-            var builder = new ContentItemBuilder("foo");
+            var builder = new ContentItemBuilder(new ContentTypeDefinitionBuilder().Named("foo").Build());
             builder.Weld<Alpha>();
             var model = builder.Build();
 
diff --git a/src/Orchard.Web/Core/Routable/Controllers/ItemController.cs b/src/Orchard.Web/Core/Routable/Controllers/ItemController.cs
index 82d7ceca0..856f53052 100644
--- a/src/Orchard.Web/Core/Routable/Controllers/ItemController.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard.Web/Core/Routable/Controllers/ItemController.cs
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ namespace Orchard.Core.Routable.Controllers {
             if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(matchedPath)) {
                 throw new ApplicationException("404 - should not have passed path constraint");
             }
+
             var hits = _contentManager
                 .Query<IsRoutable, RoutableRecord>(VersionOptions.Published)
                 .Where(r => r.Path == matchedPath)
diff --git a/src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.Roles/Models/UserSimulation.cs b/src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.Roles/Models/UserSimulation.cs
index 1ce3b8d9f..144ebb212 100644
--- a/src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.Roles/Models/UserSimulation.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.Roles/Models/UserSimulation.cs
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Handlers;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData.Builders;
 using Orchard.Security;
 
 namespace Orchard.Roles.Models {
     public static class UserSimulation {
         public static IUser Create(string role) {
-            var simulation = new ContentItemBuilder("user")
+            var simulationType = new ContentTypeDefinitionBuilder().Named("user").Build();
+            var simulation = new ContentItemBuilder(simulationType)
                 .Weld<SimulatedUser>()
                 .Weld<SimulatedUserRoles>()
                 .Build();
diff --git a/src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.Setup/SetupMode.cs b/src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.Setup/SetupMode.cs
index ab66f8d0d..26c715674 100644
--- a/src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.Setup/SetupMode.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.Setup/SetupMode.cs
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ using Orchard.Commands;
 using Orchard.Commands.Builtin;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Handlers;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData.Builders;
 using Orchard.Data.Builders;
 using Orchard.Environment.Extensions;
 using Orchard.Localization;
@@ -90,7 +91,8 @@ namespace Orchard.Setup {
 
         class SafeModeSiteService : ISiteService {
             public ISite GetSiteSettings() {
-                var site = new ContentItemBuilder("site")
+                var siteType = new ContentTypeDefinitionBuilder().Named("site").Build();
+                var site = new ContentItemBuilder(siteType)
                     .Weld<SafeModeSite>()
                     .Build();
 
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/ContentPart.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/ContentPart.cs
index f360ef5bc..8f485aa9a 100644
--- a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/ContentPart.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/ContentPart.cs
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ using Orchard.ContentManagement.Utilities;
 namespace Orchard.ContentManagement {
     public abstract class ContentPart : IContent {
         public virtual ContentItem ContentItem { get; set; }
-        public ContentTypeDefinition TypeDefinition { get; set; }
+        public ContentTypeDefinition TypeDefinition { get { return ContentItem.TypeDefinition; } }
         public ContentTypeDefinition.Part TypePartDefinition { get; set; }
-        public ContentPartDefinition PartDefinition { get; set; }
+        public ContentPartDefinition PartDefinition { get { return TypePartDefinition.PartDefinition; } }
     }
 
     public class ContentPart<TRecord> : ContentPart {
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/DefaultContentManager.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/DefaultContentManager.cs
index 06b77b4d3..e4e4a6973 100644
--- a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/DefaultContentManager.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/DefaultContentManager.cs
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@ using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Linq;
 using Autofac;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Handlers;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData.Builders;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData.Models;
 using Orchard.ContentManagement.Records;
 using Orchard.Data;
 using Orchard.Mvc.ViewModels;
@@ -13,6 +16,7 @@ namespace Orchard.ContentManagement {
         private readonly IRepository<ContentTypeRecord> _contentTypeRepository;
         private readonly IRepository<ContentItemRecord> _contentItemRepository;
         private readonly IRepository<ContentItemVersionRecord> _contentItemVersionRepository;
+        private readonly IContentDefinitionManager _contentDefinitionManager;
         private readonly Func<IContentManagerSession> _contentManagerSession;
 
         public DefaultContentManager(
@@ -20,11 +24,13 @@ namespace Orchard.ContentManagement {
             IRepository<ContentTypeRecord> contentTypeRepository,
             IRepository<ContentItemRecord> contentItemRepository,
             IRepository<ContentItemVersionRecord> contentItemVersionRepository,
+            IContentDefinitionManager contentDefinitionManager,
             Func<IContentManagerSession> contentManagerSession) {
             _context = context;
             _contentTypeRepository = contentTypeRepository;
             _contentItemRepository = contentItemRepository;
             _contentItemVersionRepository = contentItemVersionRepository;
+            _contentDefinitionManager = contentDefinitionManager;
             _contentManagerSession = contentManagerSession;
         }
 
@@ -44,11 +50,16 @@ namespace Orchard.ContentManagement {
         }
 
         public virtual ContentItem New(string contentType) {
+            var contentTypeDefinition = _contentDefinitionManager.GetTypeDefinition(contentType);
+            if (contentTypeDefinition == null) {
+                contentTypeDefinition = new ContentTypeDefinitionBuilder().Named(contentType).Build();
+            }
 
             // create a new kernel for the model instance
             var context = new ActivatingContentContext {
-                ContentType = contentType,
-                Builder = new ContentItemBuilder(contentType)
+                ContentType = contentTypeDefinition.Name,
+                Definition = contentTypeDefinition,
+                Builder = new ContentItemBuilder(contentTypeDefinition)
             };
 
             // invoke handlers to weld aspects onto kernel
@@ -337,16 +348,16 @@ namespace Orchard.ContentManagement {
                 handler.Created(context);
             }
 
-            if(options.IsPublished) {
+            if (options.IsPublished) {
                 var publishContext = new PublishContentContext(contentItem, null);
 
                 // invoke handlers to acquire state, or at least establish lazy loading callbacks
-                foreach ( var handler in Handlers ) {
+                foreach (var handler in Handlers) {
                     handler.Publishing(publishContext);
                 }
 
                 // invoke handlers to acquire state, or at least establish lazy loading callbacks
-                foreach ( var handler in Handlers ) {
+                foreach (var handler in Handlers) {
                     handler.Published(publishContext);
                 }
             }
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/Drivers/ContentPartDriver.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/Drivers/ContentPartDriver.cs
index 91b12f342..d399a19fa 100644
--- a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/Drivers/ContentPartDriver.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/Drivers/ContentPartDriver.cs
@@ -31,19 +31,19 @@ namespace Orchard.ContentManagement.Drivers {
             return part == null ? null : Editor(part, context.Updater);
         }
 
-        protected virtual DriverResult Display(TContent part, string displayType) {return null;}
-        protected virtual DriverResult Editor(TContent part) {return null;}
-        protected virtual DriverResult Editor(TContent part, IUpdateModel updater) {return null;}
+        protected virtual DriverResult Display(TContent part, string displayType) { return null; }
+        protected virtual DriverResult Editor(TContent part) { return null; }
+        protected virtual DriverResult Editor(TContent part, IUpdateModel updater) { return null; }
 
 
         public ContentPartTemplateResult ContentPartTemplate(object model) {
             return new ContentPartTemplateResult(model, null, Prefix).Location(Zone);
         }
-        
+
         public ContentPartTemplateResult ContentPartTemplate(object model, string template) {
             return new ContentPartTemplateResult(model, template, Prefix).Location(Zone);
         }
-        
+
         public ContentPartTemplateResult ContentPartTemplate(object model, string template, string prefix) {
             return new ContentPartTemplateResult(model, template, prefix).Location(Zone);
         }
@@ -52,11 +52,12 @@ namespace Orchard.ContentManagement.Drivers {
             return new CombinedResult(results);
         }
 
-        public IEnumerable<ContentPartInfo> GetPartInfo()
-        {
-            var contentPartInfo = new List<ContentPartInfo>() {
-                new ContentPartInfo()
-                {PartName = typeof(TContent).Name,Factory = () => new TContent()}
+        public IEnumerable<ContentPartInfo> GetPartInfo() {
+            var contentPartInfo = new[] {
+                new ContentPartInfo {
+                    PartName = typeof (TContent).Name,
+                    Factory = typePartDefinition => new TContent {TypePartDefinition = typePartDefinition}
+                }
             };
 
             return contentPartInfo;
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/Handlers/ActivatingContentContext.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/Handlers/ActivatingContentContext.cs
index de3bb8a8d..3d202465b 100644
--- a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/Handlers/ActivatingContentContext.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/Handlers/ActivatingContentContext.cs
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData.Models;
+
 namespace Orchard.ContentManagement.Handlers {
     public class ActivatingContentContext {
         public string ContentType { get; set; }
+        public ContentTypeDefinition Definition { get; set; }
         public ContentItemBuilder Builder { get; set; }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/Handlers/ContentItemBuilder.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/Handlers/ContentItemBuilder.cs
index fc8449d6c..619558c58 100644
--- a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/Handlers/ContentItemBuilder.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/Handlers/ContentItemBuilder.cs
@@ -1,9 +1,18 @@
-namespace Orchard.ContentManagement.Handlers {
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData.Models;
+
+namespace Orchard.ContentManagement.Handlers {
     public class ContentItemBuilder {
+        private readonly ContentTypeDefinition _definition;
         private readonly ContentItem _item;
 
-        public ContentItemBuilder(string contentType) {
-            _item = new ContentItem { ContentType = contentType };
+        public ContentItemBuilder(ContentTypeDefinition definition) {
+            _definition = definition;
+            _item = new ContentItem {
+                ContentType = definition.Name,
+                TypeDefinition = definition
+            };
         }
 
         public ContentItem Build() {
@@ -11,7 +20,18 @@
         }
 
         public ContentItemBuilder Weld<TPart>() where TPart : ContentPart, new() {
-            var part = new TPart();
+            var partName = typeof(TPart).Name;
+
+            var typePartDefinition = _definition.Parts.FirstOrDefault(p => p.PartDefinition.Name == partName);
+            if (typePartDefinition == null) {
+                typePartDefinition = new ContentTypeDefinition.Part(
+                    new ContentPartDefinition(partName),
+                    new Dictionary<string, string>());
+            }
+
+            var part = new TPart {
+                TypePartDefinition = typePartDefinition
+            };
             _item.Weld(part);
             return this;
         }
@@ -20,6 +40,5 @@
             _item.Weld(contentPart);
             return this;
         }
-
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/MetaData/ContentPartHandler.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/MetaData/ContentPartHandler.cs
index 4a4403115..465ac806d 100644
--- a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/MetaData/ContentPartHandler.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/MetaData/ContentPartHandler.cs
@@ -14,14 +14,15 @@ namespace Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData {
         }
 
         public override void Activating(ActivatingContentContext context) {
-            var contentTypeRecord = _contentDefinitionManager.GetTypeDefinition(context.ContentType);
-            if (contentTypeRecord == null)
+            var contentTypeDefinition = _contentDefinitionManager.GetTypeDefinition(context.ContentType);
+            if (contentTypeDefinition == null)
                 return;
 
-            foreach(var partInfo in _contentPartDrivers.SelectMany(cpp => cpp.GetPartInfo())) {
+            foreach (var partInfo in _contentPartDrivers.SelectMany(cpp => cpp.GetPartInfo())) {
                 var partName = partInfo.PartName;
-                if (contentTypeRecord.Parts.Any(p=>p.PartDefinition.Name == partName)) {
-                    context.Builder.Weld(partInfo.Factory());
+                var typePartDefinition = contentTypeDefinition.Parts.FirstOrDefault(p => p.PartDefinition.Name == partName);
+                if (typePartDefinition != null) {
+                    context.Builder.Weld(partInfo.Factory(typePartDefinition));
                 }
             }
         }
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/MetaData/ContentPartInfo.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/MetaData/ContentPartInfo.cs
index 23a731cbf..a7c8c190a 100644
--- a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/MetaData/ContentPartInfo.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/MetaData/ContentPartInfo.cs
@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 using System;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData.Models;
 
-namespace Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData
-{
-    public class ContentPartInfo
-    {
+namespace Orchard.ContentManagement.MetaData {
+    public class ContentPartInfo {
         public string PartName { get; set; }
-        public Func<ContentPart> Factory { get; set; }
+        public Func<ContentTypeDefinition.Part, ContentPart> Factory { get; set; }
     }
 }