Chapter 13

Building Area: Makerspace

Introduction to the Makerspace

Before going into details about the makerspace at the CGC in detail the

definition of a makerspace important to go over. There are a few definitions that I

feel give a great general description of what a makerspace is. According to Maker

manufacturing equipment, community, and education for the purposes of enabling

community members to design, prototype and create manufactured works that

le to individuals working

alone , n.d.). Laura Fleming of worlds-of-

makerspace is a metaphor for a unique learning environment that encourages

tinkering, play and open-ended exploration for all . The overall idea

from the above is that a makerspace is a space that allows the community to gather,

collaborate, and create things together.

This makerspace is the tech and collaboration hub of the community. It is

designed to provide the community with technology, education, collaboration, and

engagement. It provides facilities that for a small fee gives the public access to laser

cutters, cnc machines, 3d printers, powerful workstations, a computer lab,

woodshop, welders, a STEAM classroom, and an open work area. It is located next

to the main entrance to the Community Growth Center on the East end. This chapter

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will go over the purpose, areas, and the overall focus of the Urban Agriculture

Center.

Purpose of the Makerspace

The Makerspace focuses on several issues that were mentioned in chapter 6.

As well as fulfilling the mission and vision statements of the CGC in chapter 1.

These issues are a lack of trade schools and updated schools, and business

opportunities. These issues all revolve around the idea of providing a place of

education in the trades and giving the public access to technology most people

would not have access to.

Lack of Trade Schools and Updated Schools

The Makerspace is designed to give the public a space to acquire skills that

would allow you to design, prototype, and build about anything that you can carry out

of the door. The need for a large size trade school is still there though. The

Makerspace would be something that fulfills the need for access to high tech

equipment and wood working that is lacking in the area. As for updating schools the

facility would fill in that position. There could be high school classes of varying ages

to give the students the exposure and experience to such equipment and software

that would give them a step up when either going to a trades school or applying to a

college.

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Lack of Business Opportunities

As mentioned in the last chapter the facility has a variety of equipment that

would give a variety of high tech tools to individuals. This gives the option to the

public to use the facility to build a company by gaining skills and using the facility to

create their items. Along with this there could be existing companies in the area that

are interesting in using the facility to help lower costs and fabricate things of their

own here instead of paying others. All of the different users above would be paying

different fees based on their proposed usage of the facility.

Spaces of the Makerspace and their Function

The Makerspace consists of a total of 10,736-square feet of building space

that is split up between the first floor with 7,254-square feet and the second floor

with 4,775-square feet.

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First Floor

Image 38. First Floor - Makerspace

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 The first floor of the makerspace area is the main area of activity in the

makerspace. It is where most of the work, collaboration and learning occurs in the

makerspace.

Technology available.

Inside the makerspace there are a variety of technologies available to the public

to learn and create with. There are cnc machines, laser cutters, 3D printers, welders,

and a paint booth. In order to learn how to utilize the cnc, laser cutters, and 3D printers

there is a computer lab where the public can have full access to software to utilize this

technology.

Collaboration area.

To promote the interaction of thought between users of the makerspace a

space dedicated to them was required. The lounge area has a variety of seating

areas that can be moved around to suit the needs of the people there. Collaboration

would occur in more than just the lounge area. The rest of the makerspace would

have this occur as well.

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Second Floor

Image 39. Second Floor - Makerspace

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 The Second floor of the makerspace area is the area of the makerspace that

does the training for the makerspace and has a lounge. It is where you get trained

to use the software that is on all of the computers in the computer lab on the first

floor. Another key element in this area is the STEAM classroom. It is dedicated to

youth to learn about the physical and social Sciences, incorporation of Technology,

principles of Engineering and design, English language Arts, and application of

Mathematics. This space allows local schools to engage their students in subjects

and technology that is not readily available to them at their school. The school floor

is also the location of another lounge that looks off into the pool area.

Makerspace Area Conclusion

The Makerspace area is the innovation center for the community. It gives the

community a place to grow and learn to build and fix things on their own. The

makerspace is also the shop for the CGC. This allows things to be fabricated and

repaired onsite instead of paying others to fix things unless specialty expertise is

needed. The tools in the makerspace can help with expansion in the future by using

the tools here. Thus, the Makerspace is vital to the future growth of the CGC as well

as the Community.

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