Sofia Rivers

The purpose of the Makerspace Design Project for Sanford House was to convert one or two of the underused study rooms in Sanford Hall into a makerspace for the students living in Design House, a Living Learning Community also located in Sanford Hall. The makerspace would provide much-needed space for the students to work on class and personal projects. In this project, we started with a survey, sent out to the Design House students, in order to determine how to design a makerspace that was useful to them. Using the survey results, we created two makerspace concepts and created 3D models showing the spatial layout, furniture and other items chosen for the makerspace. In general, we found the Design House students to be receptive to the idea of a makerspace in which they could work on class projects. Some of the things they wanted in a makerspace were: plenty of table space, modular furniture, a computer with the adobe suite, sewing and drawing supplies, and a printer. The results of our research, our two designs, the furniture and furnishings chosen, and a cost list were compiled into a slideshow and presented to the Assistant Department Director of Housing & Resident Life and the Engagement Coordinator of Design Student Services, who plan to help find funding to execute all or part of the designs created in this project.