Staten Island MakerSpace is a 6000 SF community work-space featuring a variety of equipment, including a full metal shop and wood shop, available for public use. The program was to design and construct 2 new classrooms, one each for sewing and computers, a new conference room, 2 new accessible bathrooms , a lounge space and reception area. Since MakerSpace is all about fabrication, the architecture was based on ideas of fabrication. Walls are activated, by curving them, by having them transmit light and having them be the canvas for a mural – walls as artworks in and of themselves.
A unique color scheme was devised. Many aspects of the design were the result of collaboration between the owners – who are artists - and the architect. Found articles were utilized – windows were salvaged from an old church and installed in the conference room. One wall features windows set at an angle to match the slope of the accessible ramp. In keeping with the spirit of fabrication, the covers for light switches and electrical outlets were printed on MakeSpace’s 3d printer. Finishes were kept intentionally a bit rough – homage to the rough textures of the exposed brick, concrete floor and old wood trusses of the existing building.
The ceiling of the classrooms was constructed out of translucent plastic sheets and glows at night.