When planning a makerspace, most people think about designing for creativity. It’s common to consider the types of projects that will be completed in the space, how many people will use the space at any given time, and the equipment on your must-have vs. nice-to-have lists.
Many of you know our consultant Alex Baddock. He works with universities, technical schools, and private and public K-12 schools to plan, design and layout their makerspaces and fab labs (he also installs the equipment and trains teachers on the equipment).
He’s seen a few considerations that often go overlooked during the planning process, which is why he wrote an article for MAKE Magazine explaining why each of these are important and how to avoid making certain mistakes in the planning process.
- Space Utilization – How you plan to use the space will determine your spatial flow. Will your lab be used for design and fabrication, or will the design work be completed in a separate space from the fabrication equipment?
- Dirty vs. Clean – It’s recommended you separate dirty from clean equipment if possible. If not, you’ll need to consider alternative equipment options.
- Noise Control – The last thing you want is a noisy CNC machine running right where you are teaching students. It’s easy to minimize noise disruptions with a little planning in advance.
- Power and Electrical Requirements – It’s important to read equipment datasheets in detail to understand power requirements before you purchase anything. Are you working with an electrician? Specialized power cannot be changed after it’s put in, so this will affect the timeline of when you finalize your lab layout.
- Furniture – Consider furniture with the right storage options and durability to fit your needs. Don’t just opt for something that looks cool.
- Design for Mobility – Mobile furniture and equipment offers an entirely new level of customization, which can change the overall flexibility and functionality of your lab.
Head on over to MAKE magazine to read all of Alex’s advice.
