Designing for Making: Lessons from Building and Evolving Makerspaces
Moderator:
Scott Wordley
Director of Student Teams
Monash University
Graeme Wiggins
STEM Learning
Environment Designer
Y2 ARCHITECTURE
Amy Hickman
Team Leader,
Technical Operations
Curtin University
Jacob Schaumburg
Digital Life Librarian,
Library Services
Townsville City Council
Acknowledgement of Country
I wish to acknowledge the people of the Kulin Nations, on whose land Monash University operates.
I pay my respects to their Elders, past and present.
I extend that respect to any first nations people here with us today.
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Hi, we are from the…
Monash Makerspace Network
Your entry point into the Monash Makerspace network. The Design and Build Studios offer support for Engineering undergraduate teaching, faculty research and Monash Companies on Campus.
The Digital Makerspace is a central hub supporting digitally focused student teams from the faculties of Engineering and Information Technology.
Monash Smart Manufacturing offers an end to end digitally connected, collaborative manufacturing system that interacts and responds to the changing environment and monitored processes in real-time.
The Makerspace is a manufacturing hub and home base for Monash Engineering student teams, enabling them to solve real world problems and compete on the world stage.
First Year Learning Centre
The First Year Learning Centre provides a project and team working space for first year students, with access to 3D printing, electronics and hand tools.
The Student Analytical Makerspace & Pilot Lab Environment (SAMPLE) is a collaborative space designed to inspire innovation and facilitate research in chemical and biological engineering, and food technology.
Composite Processing is a group of specialised spaces designed for the safe trimming, sanding and painting cured composite parts.
Designing for Making:
Lessons from Building and Evolving Makerspaces
“From libraries to universities, to large-scale design projects, this panel explores how makerspaces are built, used, and evolved to foster learning and innovation.
Hear fresh lessons from practitioners and designers as they discuss creating purposeful spaces, shifting from tool training to problem-solving, and navigating the real-world challenges of making it work.”
Designing for Making:
Lessons from Building and Evolving Makerspaces
Panel Structure:
Three Phases of Makerspace Evolution:
Open discussion and questions (throughout, and at end)
Graeme Wiggins
STEM Learning
Environment Designer
Y2 ARCHITECTURE
Amy Hickman
Team Leader,
Technical Operations
Curtin University
Jacob Schaumburg
Digital Life Librarian,
Library Services
Townsville City Council
Amy Hickman, Technical Operations Coordinator (Building 418)
School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University
Curtin’s School of Design and the Built Environment
Technical facilities and support in:
Courses and majors include:
My role in DBE Makerspace
Graeme Wiggins
STEM Learning
Environment Designer
Y2 ARCHITECTURE
Amy Hickman
Team Leader,
Technical Operations
Curtin University
Jacob Schaumburg
Digital Life Librarian,
Library Services
Townsville City Council
Key Stats (from Jul 2023 to October 2025 – 27 months OR 2 years and 3 months)
Growth figures (from Jul 2023 – October 2025)
If we look at growth in the past year (October 2024 – October 2025)
Seasonal patterns
Top Months for bookings
Top Months for hours
October is consistently the peak month!
Top piece of equipment
Graeme Wiggins
STEM Learning
Environment Designer
Y2 ARCHITECTURE
Amy Hickman
Team Leader,
Technical Operations
Curtin University
Jacob Schaumburg
Digital Life Librarian,
Library Services
Townsville City Council
Designing for Making:
Lessons from Building and Evolving Makerspaces
Three Phases of Makerspace Evolution:
Open discussion and questions
Build, Purchasing, Commissioning and Staffing
How was the build process?
How was set up and commission?
Any issues uncovered during the build?
How was working with the builders?
What are your tips for other people in this stage?
Did the build run to plan and to schedule?
How did you monitor construction?
What staff did you have?
Did you recruit?
How was the purchasing process for equipment?
Any big mistakes or oversights to avoid?
Any major reworks required?
What was your staff mix, FTE and Casual?
Designing for Making:
Lessons from Building and Evolving Makerspaces
Three Phases of Makerspace Evolution:
Open discussion and questions
Operation, Review and Evolution
How was was the launch of your space?
How do you monitor use, or impact?
What have you learnt during your space operation?
Any immediate teething problems?
What are your tips for other people in this stage?
How do know if the space is working well?
Is there something you would change about your space?
How has the space evolved from your original vision?
What was the user experience or feedback?
Any big mistakes or oversights to avoid?
Designing for Making:
Lessons from Building and Evolving Makerspaces
Three Phases of Makerspace Evolution:
Open discussion and questions
Graeme Wiggins
STEM Learning
Environment Designer
Y2 ARCHITECTURE
Amy Hickman
Team Leader,
Technical Operations
Curtin University
Jacob Schaumburg
Digital Life Librarian,
Library Services
Townsville City Council
Please thank our panel! (and thanks ANU for hosting!)