{"id":67,"date":"2013-10-19T18:42:58","date_gmt":"2013-10-20T01:42:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522makerspaces2013\/?page_id=67"},"modified":"2013-11-07T13:04:05","modified_gmt":"2013-11-07T20:04:05","slug":"choosing-space","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522makerspaces2013\/the-million-dollar-question-guide\/choosing-space\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing Space"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a commercial venture, the goal is to create a sustainable business.\u00a0\u00a0Therefore, the space needs to reflect current business goals.\u00a0 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.\u00a0\u00a0Industry Lab<\/a> 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0\u00a0Therefore, 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.<\/p>\n

While finding a space can be daunting, if founders are flexible, there are many options, including free ones.\u00a0 It is possible to re-purpose old warehouses, industrial spaces, old schools etc. For example, Andrew Coy,\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Three key factors determine space size- affordability, equipment, and services offered.\u00a0\u00a0 As an independent business, most start-up funding will be out-of-pocket or through other means, cheap rent will be a priority.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Other makerspaces leased out larger spaces, but sub-leased areas as private offices.\u00a0\u00a0 Start out with what is affordable, and will fit the administrative<\/a>\/staffing<\/a> models.<\/p>\n

As for equipment<\/a>, 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.\u00a0 There will also be a need for at least one classroom space as classes are a great marketing tool<\/a> and a necessity.\u00a0 For legal and insurance reasons, safety courses are necessary.\u00a0 Courses on new techniques, crafts, and equipment draw people in, promote creation and retain members.\u00a0 Other mandatory services are workspaces and workshops.\u00a0Workspaces are about 75-150 SF per person.\u00a0 Workshops provide space for all your major equipment, and can be organized by craft.\u00a0 Minimum workshop space is 300-500 SF per type of craft (i.e. wood work, sewing, laser cutting etc.)<\/p>\n

It may be helpful to conceptualize five distinct types of makerspaces:<\/p>\n