Choosing Space | The Million Dollar Question http://blogs.ubc.ca/etec522makerspaces2013/the-...

The Million Dollar Question

Secrets to a Successful Commercial
Makerspace

Choosing Space
As a commercial venture, the goal is to create a sustainable business. Therefore, the space needs to reflect current
business goals. Think about what is currently achievable and sustainable – more often than not, successful
makerspaces move several times throughout the first couple of years as they expand. Industry Lab in
Massachusetts started in 2009 as a small-scale well-equipped workshop with 2 conference/classrooms, a mix of
workstations, dedicated workspace and lock and key spaces. In 2010, expansion forced its move to seek out 5000
square feet and more recently, it has nearly doubled to 11,000 square feet and is now looking to expand to 13, 600
square feet. Therefore, the ideal solution is to look at what is currently required, affordable and sustainable and
invest in short-term leases to allow room for expansion.

While finding a space can be daunting, if founders are flexible, there are many options, including free ones. It is
possible to re-purpose old warehouses, industrial spaces, old schools etc. For example, Andrew Coy, Executive
Director of the Digital Harbor Foundation, established Baltimore’s first free, public, neighborhood makerspace in
an empty Parks & Recreation building that was about to be shut down.

Three key factors determine space size- affordability, equipment, and services offered. As an independent
business, most start-up funding will be out-of-pocket or through other means, cheap rent will be a priority. Keep
in mind, there are always deals to be made – Industry labs got a prime location at a great discount for their first
space. The landlord struck a deal cheap rent, for attracting related businesses to the mall. Other makerspaces
leased out larger spaces, but sub-leased areas as private offices. Start out with what is affordable, and will fit the
administrative/staffing models.

As for equipment, studies show the biggest draws are laser cutters and 3D printers – so the space should be large
enough to accommodate at least one of these two options. There will also be a need for at least one classroom
space as classes are a great marketing tool and a necessity. For legal and insurance reasons, safety courses are
necessary. Courses on new techniques, crafts, and equipment draw people in, promote creation and retain
members. Other mandatory services are workspaces and workshops. Workspaces are about 75-150 SF per person.
Workshops provide space for all your major equipment, and can be organized by craft. Minimum workshop space
is 300-500 SF per type of craft (i.e. wood work, sewing, laser cutting etc.)

It may be helpful to conceptualize five distinct types of makerspaces:

Small teach-only makerspaces (500-3000SF) – provide classrooms, low utilities and teach only space. Great
for one person to own and operate.

Streamlined makerspaces provide the minimum services. These can start with as little as 1000 SF and go up
to 8000 SF. Typical models include 1 large piece of equipment and a couple smaller pieces in a dedicated
workshop, workbenches, 1 classroom and minimal storage, and volunteers take care of a lot of the day-to-day

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operations. The Geek Group has a 1500 SF space that has small artist studios and business stalls and a couple
pieces of milling equipment. A space like this requires a couple of founding members, or one founder with
several paid/volunteer staff.

Shared plots in a large building (4,000 to 25,000+ square feet) Many individuals and business co-rent a space
and share equipment.

Large makerspaces (4,000-20,000) SF where members have access to classrooms, large equipment, and can
rent storage facilities, studios, workshops etc.

Big corporate and non-profit makerspaces like Artisan’s Asylum and TechShop at around 8000-40000 SF.
These makerspaces can rent space to small businesses, provide mentorship networks, shared tools and
workspaces, and require paid staff.

According to Make magazine, informal surveys suggest an ideal starting size is around 8000 SF, in a low rent area.
This allows for some classroom space, rental studios, workshops, storage, some workspaces and a reception desk.
Of course, these may be more expensive to run at the outset, given a need for at least a couple of paid staff, or 3-4
founders.

Within each makerspace, the types of services offered can vary. Choices of services can include:

Reception Area: to welcome members, provide assistance etc.

Socialization and Food Service Areas: Members who work long hours will need to eat, and it isn’t a good
idea for them do this around equipment. Also given that collaboration is a key aspect of makerspaces, people
will naturally socialize, so if space isn’t provided, they will end up creating their own. Seated people need a
minimum of 15 SF per person
Rental Studios – Many makerspaces such as Artisan’s Asylum and TechShop rent out studio space. A great
way to raise money, and cover rent. Many members, especially in areas with few artist studios, like Calgary,
really covet studio space. Studio rental space can range from 50SF up to 250SF.
Storage Space – Most makerspaces rent out storage space in addition to membership fees. Storage space can
be as simple as a locked box on a shelf for a few bucks, a whole shelf (8-12 SF) or storage lockers/rooms for
hundreds of dollars.
Gallery/Display space – Makers like to show off their work, plus it can draw in potential members or promote
partnerships, so having some room for everyone to display their achievements might be a good draw.
Retail Space – If you are interested in making things to sell, then having a place to sell them is important.
Moreover, having a space for members to sell their work, by charging a minimum commission (think
consignment stores), is also another way for you to make a little money. You will need to have display space,
storage space for stock and a sales terminal, plus someone to staff it.

Having enough room for services, people and equipment is not all that needs to be considered when selecting a
space. Also important are:

Space for ventilation, electrical equipment and other code requirements

Fire lanes and room for those who have mobility issues – at least 25% of your space is dead space, to allow for

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easy and safe exit corridors in emergencies ( not to mention room for paramedics should something go horribly
wrong)
Space for emergency equipment (i.e. fire extinguishers, defibrillators, bid first-aid kits)
Restrooms and Plumbing

Clearly, choosing a space is not as simple as previously thought, but it can be an exciting

moment, as it is a point where vision becomes a reality.

Discussion: Take a few minutes and go to Grizzly.com – a free

workshop planning site and design your makerspace. Do a screen
shot of your workshop, and paste the image to your comments.
Please note that WordPress does not allow embedded HTML in
the comments section.

Discussion Summary: As the ETEC522 2013 Winter Term 1

cohort discussion shows, there is no singular approach to creating
a makerspace, and what it should contain, even in terms of basic
utilities like toilets. Enjoy looking at these different designs!

Please view the cohort experience in the comments below. If you are accessing this OER after November 3, 2013,
you are welcome to further contribute to the discussion.

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The Million Dollar Question

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