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what makes a good lab space?
Author: amy28 Sep
I was asked about what makes good fab lab spaces and thought that would be a good thing to ask everyone who is actually in a lab. (Despite building many many labs, I never actually get to pick a space, I’m just told to “make the best out of this”…)
So - what would you say are good features of a fab lab space (and bad ones?) What works really well in your lab that you would recommend to others? What do you hate about your lab?
4 Responses for "what makes a good lab space?"
LCCC Fab Lab Renovation Criteria
(Scott Z was kind enough to email me several documents in response. Most are very detailed regarding their lab. This list was a nice summary of the things they felt needed to be improved in their lab.)
1. Good ventilation is critical. There will be two laser engraving systems, soldiering stations, and solvent work. We currently have a ventilation system to pump fumes outside from the existing laser system. However, it appears that other ventilation systems in the building draw the odor back into the building (it seems to depend on wind direction).
2. Good work lighting is very important. It is important that portions of the lights in the room can be dimmed or turned off for better viewing of the projection system. Currently all room lighting is indirect and takes a long time to turn on.
3. Good visibility from the hall to showcase the lab. Use of glass panels and glass doors to allow people walking down the hall to easily see the equipment/users in the Fab Lab and the CIM lab.
4. Secure display cabinet(s). Users are constantly making things in the lab and we need to be able to show wide variety of examples of what is possible. Ideally the display items would be viewable simultaneously from both inside the lab and from the hallway.
5. New furniture. Most of the furniture was scavenged (what ever we could find to get the job done). We will need furniture (desks, chairs, tables, cabinets, etc.) for the renovated space to accommodate more users, computers, machines, workspace, etc.
6. The layout should be suitable for group tours, classes, demonstrations, wheelchair accessibility and open lab access.
1. Large tables and plenty of counter space are needed for vinyl cutting, assembly, etc.
2. Cabinets for secure storage of a large variety of materials, parts and supplies.
3. Workstations for the different machines/processes (laser engraver, Modela mill, vinyl cutter, 3D printer, electronics/soldiering stations, etc.)
4. Numerous whiteboards.
7. This should be a smart room with computer, projector, projector screen, ELMO, speakers, etc. for presenting software based classes, workshops, and demonstrations. The projector will also be used for Polycom videoconferencing with MIT and collaboration with other Fab Labs. The existing Polycom unit is very low end and does not have most features (e.g. does not have remote microphone, etc) but might work.
8. A faucet, sink, and drain is needed for the rapid prototyping machine soluble support removal tank, molding/casting, and silk-screening. We currently use the wash basin in the CIM lab but it would be much better if there was a sink in the actual Fab Lab.
9. Maintain view and easy access to the CIM lab (room AT111). The large glass window between the two labs allows the Fab Lab attendant to watch people in both labs. The larger, louder, and/or messier Fab Lab equipment will be located in the CIM lab.
10. Compressed air for the laser engravers.
11. Fire extinguishers near the laser engravers.
12. Electrical power for numerous computers and equipment.
13. Computer networking for internet access, file sharing, printing, and connection to Fab Lab equipment.
14. Additional Windows/Linux based computers (Fab Lab equipment drivers are not available for Mac computers)
May 30, 2008
Off the top of my head, what I’d add to Scott’s list is:
* Big open spaces seem to work well.
* Segmentation between noisy gruntwork stuff and concentration-based stuff is important.
* The location also needs to be easy to find and preferably hard to miss.
* Any synergies with other facilities are useful, but at the same time, autonomy of the lab is essential.
Why don’t you just make furniture with the shopbot?
In the Bermeo Fab Lab we have ideal space: A 200 s.m. loft space, an architecturally designed, soundproofed shipping container as a conference room, two-story ceilings, three large ceiling-to-floor windows and doors facing the walk-by foot and car traffic, all electrical in a buffer zone under the floor, hardware and lumber stores, cafes around the corner and a test-bed for our marine prototypes 3-m. away. In the future we will have renovated apartments for international guests.
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