Top 5 Makerspaces Around The World
What is a makerspace?
The Oxford Dictionary defines a makerspace as “a place in which people with shared interests, especially in computing or technology can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, equipment, and knowledge.” This is a pretty broad definition, and we are seeing multiple variations and interpretations of this concept pop up all over the world. At it’s crux, the makerspace is a physical manifestation of the “maker” mindset, of creating something out of nothing and exploring interests in different fields in a more specialised, hands-on way.
Not all makerspaces are high-tech and equipped with the latest and costliest equipment. They don’t have to be, all it takes is a “can do” attitude and a few basic supplies. An open and inclusive community with a learning mentality is, of course, essential.
These spaces are designed to help prepare people with the necessary 21st century skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). They provide hands-on learning, help in critical thinking skills and even increase self-confidence. Some of the skills learned in a manufacturing space are electronics, 3D printing, 3D modeling, coding, robotics, and even woodworking. Makerspaces are also a natural breeding ground for incubators and accelerators for startups.
“a place in which people with shared interests, especially in computing or technology, can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, equipment, and knowledge.”
Our Top Makerspace Picks for 2019
For us, the best makerspaces bring together the best people, the best coaches, and the best equipment suited for that particular niche. We’ve looked at a vast variety of different makerspaces around the world, and here are our top 5 picks, in no particular order.
1 | Fab Lab
We couldn’t make a list like this without including Fab Lab! They are the educational outreach component of MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA), a global franchise network of makerspaces following guidelines set by the Fab Foundation.
The Fab Foundation describes a Fab Lab as “a technical prototyping platform for innovation and invention, providing stimulus for local entrepreneurship. A Fab Lab is also a platform for learning and innovation: a place to play, to create, to learn, to mentor, to invent.” They take to their advantage the common ideals shared by all laboratories in building a distributed laboratory for research and invention.
The Fab Labs are closely aligned with the work of the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms and, as such, are at the forefront of digital manufacturing and R&D, with knowledge and best practices distributed through the global Fab Labs network.
In as well as sharing knowledge in terms of research, the Fab Lab program has also instituted the Fab Academy, an internationally distributed campus for technical education. The Fab Academy provides support for advanced technical education and a training path for new fab lab managers.
2 | i3Detroit
i3Detroit is Metro Detroit’s largest community-run DIY space. They describe themselves as a “collaborative environment for people to explore the balance between technology, art and culture.” The community is run as a non-profit by its members in a democratic way, through voting. The “i3” in the name stands for Imagine, Innovate & Inspire.
The i3Detroit website describes the makerspace’s purposes as:
- To continue to build, maintain and grow our physical space suitable for technical, art and social collaboration.
- Collaborate on all forms of technology, art and culture in new and interesting ways.
- Freely share its research and discoveries, using what is learned to teach others.
- Recruit and develop talented members dedicated to these purposes.
- To share knowledge, information and our crafts with other members and our communities.
i3Detroit provides resources, classes, and workshops in a multitude of areas such as Woodworking, Metalworking, Welding, Electronics, Crafting, and Digital Fabrication through Fab Lab components.
3 | Maker’s Asylum
Founded in 2013 in a small garage, Maker’s Asylum is one of the first makerspaces in India, and its flagship Mumbai location is now hosted in 6,000 square feet of new and improved space in Andheri’s industrial zone.
Maker’s Asylum is rapidly expanding, with spaces located in Mumbai and Delhi, and in October 2018 it launched the third space in collaboration with the French Embassy in Jaipur. It defines itself as “a community space focussed on fostering innovation through hands on learning. It also provides access to an ecosystem of stakeholders which includes Governments, Businesses, Incubators/Accelerators, Investors and subject matter experts.” The space houses various labs to facilitate prototyping of interdisciplinary ideas.
Maker’s Asylum is focusing on driving community engagement under two verticals — Access to Infrastructure (tools and equipment) and Access to Education (under the brand of STEAM School). STEAM School is a project-based learning programme in collaboration with its French partners, the Center of Research & Interdisciplinarity and the French Embassy, focussed on bringing together various stakeholders to work on solving problems that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
4 | Olabi Makerspace
Olabi Makerspace in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is an independent makerspace founded in 2014 by Gabriela Augustini and Isabelle Goldfarb. They have a diverse audience and cater to groups of both children and adults both through the physical resources in the makerspace as well as workshops, lectures, and meetings. Olabi also runs a second space in an NGO inside a favela, which provides access to STEM resources for underprivileged children and young adults.
The main flagship course offered by Olabi is called “Costura High Tech”, and combines traditional sewing techniques with innovations in fashion such as 3D printing textiles, wearables, electronic textiles, etc.
The resources offered at Olabi spaces include electronics components, sewing machines, laser cutters, 3D printers, Biolab, CNC machines, carpentry tools, etc.
5 | DefkoAkNiep Lab
DefkoAkNiep Lab is the only formalized makerspace in Senegal, run by the NGO KER-THIOSSANE. Established in 2014, the name of this makerspace reflects the intentions of the founders: “DefkoAkNiep” means “Do it with everybody” in the local language, Wolof.
This makerspace has more than 70 active adult members and even more young people benefitting from its resources and activities. The makerspace offers resources such as electronics, CNC machines, laser cutter, 3D printer, hand tools, computers, etc.
DefkoAkNiep Lab provides training and prototyping resources. They also focus on energy solutions, based on solar panels and wind turbines. This makerspace also runs some off-site activities, providing training at some local primary schools.
The Future of Makerspaces
They are developing more and more all over the world, understanding that teamwork and community work, together with the possibility of experimentation, generates a great acceleration in innovative projects, both in children to be able to learn very quickly, and in adults to generate changes in society.
These are some of the best ones operating in the world. Do you know any that deserve to be on the list?
