3. Setting up the Makerspace

Top takeaways

Photo of the multigen makerspace project team

The team

Start by assessing community interest, space, budget, and local industry.

During the planning stage, start out by understanding and addressing the desires of the resident community. Because the makerspace concept is not familiar to everyone, build background knowledge and understanding with pictures of makerspaces, tools and equipment, and most importantly, makers in action and their creations. People in the photos are important to convey that makerspaces are all about building community and social learning. Vary options for input to include all voices in this process. 

A visual display board with pictures of different modes of making and dots placed by residents to register interest

For the Bayview makerspace project, we created a range of ways for residents to provide input — from surveys and community discussions to “dot-voting” on activity ideas to informal conversations at events and over more intimate family dinners. Here is an example of an activity board we brought to the annual summer BBQ. Residents registered their interest by placing sticky dots, and we used this as a conversation piece to gain more insights into what about the various activities interested them.

Evaluate your physical space and budget to consider what is possible for your context. Itemize your budget for space, materials, staff, interns, etc. Consider digital infrastructure. A good internet connection is extremely helpful for many modes of making, as some equipment requires an internet connection to connect a project designed on a computer project with a machine to output that design, such as a 3D printer or laser cutter. Property management and the facilities team are key in physical space and digital systems conversations. As the excitement and understanding grows, there will be more buy in and these folks will often step up to help with creative solutions. Also consider reaching out to local industry for expertise and funding. They often have philanthropy departments interested in funding amazing initiatives such as a makerspace program in affordable housing. 

Below is a panorama of the computer lab that was repurposed as the makerspace. The dimensions of the room are 33’ by 15’. It’s not a ton of space, but we were also able to use the other Community Center rooms for larger workshops and events. Because the makerspace was located towards the back and down a hall, this was a great way to build awareness, and we often offered tours of the space during such events. The lesson here is that if you can locate your operation in a prominent discoverable place, you will build awareness more quickly. 

Panorama of the computer lab to be repurposed as the makerspace

Mobile makerspace considerations

If you’re short on space and considering a mobile makerspace solution, it’s essential to first plan and make a shopping list of what materials and tools you need, and then look at carts that will work for your context.

Consider the interests of your community and talk with your team about what modes of making you would like to focus on. Especially with limited space, it’s strategic to go deep on specialized materials and tools for some kinds of activities (e.g. arts and crafts + electronics, prototyping with design thinking + drones, video and audio production + green screen animation, or upcycling + sewing + embroidery made from code), and broad on basic materials that can serve many purposes. You can do a LOT with craft paper, scissors, glue, and popsicle sticks! Include plenty of multiples, as it’s better to have more of the basics. Once you have made decisions and a shopping list, you’re ready to consider carts.

For a container system, think about the physical volume of containers needed to house your tools and materials. Can they double as containers or sub-containers that can be distributed during a workshop so participants don’t have to line up at the cart? Do the containers stack nicely? Consider containers that are clear or open in front so that the contents are visible, and ideally sub-containers that can be organized into groups of similar materials. What you want is a system where materials can be stored in an immediately accessible state, and that helps participants more easily clean up afterwards. 

Finally, build, don’t buy, carts. Generic won’t do, as every inch counts! Carts on wheels can be rolled out, then back into a storage closet. If space permits, go for a full-height set of shelves rather than half-height. You don’t want to encourage storing things on top of the rolling carts. That said, you will need a place or space where participants can put work in progress. To keep this from getting out of hand, have a dating system which clearly says how long something can remain there before being moved along. Here is the Bayview makerspace’s first prototyping cart, and the reaction it got when we rolled it out at our community quilt event! The young makers were able to digitally design and cut out their quilt squares with the Cricut Maker.

Purchase a range of basic equipment and supplies and expand based on interest.

As with a mobile makerspace, a built in place makerspace benefits from similar planning. Based on community interests and discussions with the planning team, settle on what modes of making you would like to focus on. Consider alignments with local industry. For example, the aerospace industry is big in Houston, TX, and Stamford, CT, has a lot of media production. That points to some topics and kinds of activities to go deep on. What industries are in your area? Whether mobile or built-in-place, it is strategic to go deep on specialized materials and tools for some kinds of activities and broad on basic materials. For example, you could focus on arts and crafts + electronics, prototyping with design thinking + drones, video and audio production + green screen animation, or upcycling + sewing + embroidery made from code. Purchase a range of basic materials, in multiples, that can serve many purposes. You don’t necessarily have to start high-tech. Cardboard, craft paper, scissors, glue, popsicle sticks, wire, LEDs, and coin batteries are great for prototyping and paper engineering! 

After assessing community interest, space and budget, we selected the primary equipment, tools, and materials ("consumables") for the makerspace (see full list):

Diagram of makerspace modifications

We created a diagram to plot out how the equipment could fit into the space and to discuss potential modifications to the physical space with the facilities manager.

Then, we bought materials and tools to get the making started. We created a shared google sheet to communicate with the onsite team running the makerspace about inventory and items to order.  (see full spreadsheet here, but be forewarned — it's not for the faint at heart!)

Screenshot of a materials spreadsheet

Organize materials and tools to invite discoverability and simplify clean up. 

Imagine walking into the makerspace for the first or second time. Is it clear what you can do? Setting up example projects next to various stations and modes of making helps folks feel welcome and gives them clues about what’s possible. Add big, clear signage next to example projects, equipment, and materials, as well. Create a binder of projects and how-to one-sheets that makers can flip through. 

As noted in the mobile makerspace section, what you want is a system where materials can be stored in an immediately accessible state. Choose storage containers that are open in the front, or in clear bins. This allows everyone to see what’s inside, prompting ideas, facilitating access, and making for easier clean up after activities. Look for containers that stack nicely, and consider sub-containers for grouping similar materials. Reserve a place or space for work in progress, and post clear rules for how long projects can remain there before being moved along. 

Some of the stations we have set up at the Bayview makerspace include: an area for a Cricut Maker, vinyl materials, iron presses, and weeder tools; a laser cutter and associated wood, acrylic, and cardboard materials, an electronics area with Hummingbird kits, Finch Robots, and general circuit materials, and sewing machines, tools and fabrics; plus general tools storage on a pegboard system; and a rolling storage shelf containing lots of general crafting bins with everything from markers and popsicle sticks to pipe cleaners. Here is a photo panorama of one half of the makerspace as of September 2023:

Don’t forget about insurance!

Work with your property manager on what is required for insurance of the space. In our particular setting, we were required by the property management company to obtain an insurance policy in the event that there was an injury in the makerspace. We recommend consulting an attorney to ensure you have proper coverage for the makerspace. In addition to the insurance policy, we had residents sign a waiver and complete a brief orientation with the Resident Services Coordinator to become a member.