Makerlab

The MAKERLAB project lays under the umbrella research The Next Public Library, and responds to the ambitions and goals of the research line Architecture and the City. The MAKERLAB research project follows-up the KIEM NWO funded project: Performative Spaces in Dutch Public Libraries. Stepping Stones of Inclusive Innovation’ (2017-2018). This KIEM project mapped the spatial features connected to the diffusion of makerspaces in Dutch public libraries, and resulted in the ATLAS publication. The MAKERLAB project moves further, to creating makerspaces in specific, well-defined socio-spatial conditions. For this, the MAKERLAB research consortium have designed, built, tested and assessed integral makerspace solutions in real Dutch public libraries.

The multidisciplinary project is conducted in a setting of co-creation, geared on a research-through-design approach, and involving sibling research institutes and stakeholders to collaborate as in a ‘living-lab’ environment. During the 24 months of the project (1-1-2021 to 31-12-2022) a team of researchers of the consortium worked in close collaboration with 8 public libraries in the Netherland, in 2 yearly iterations (4 libraries per year).

This work resulted in an integral design methodology for makerspaces in the context of the Dutch public library and in the realization, inauguration and evaluation of a number of makerspaces located in the collaborating libraries. Knowledge areas of spatial design, program design and impact management have been leading the research and implementation.

Publications documenting the research and the outputs are currently in due course of preparation, forthcoming 2023.

The MAKERLAB project is funded by the PICA Foundation.