The Bryn Mawr School created the Innovation Laboratory to expand the school’s makerspace and foster an environment of exploration and creation. The lab has four unique spaces that allow for design, fabrication, implementation and collaborative review of a student’s unique concept for design. The design process takes place in a state-of-the-art computer lab, complete with writable surface design workstations. The majority of the walls are writing surfaces, and the furnishings are fully mobile to allow for maximum flexibility in classroom set-up.

Following the students’ conceptual designs, fabrication is facilitated in separate lab spaces for woodworking, 3D printer modeling and basic electronic circuitry. There is a flexible lab space for displaying and testing the students’ projects, and a collaborative area for reviewing and refining design criteria. All of the spaces are separated by large glass windows that allow for a feeling of openness, while maintaining sound and dust control from the fabrication labs. Vaulted ceilings, exposed spiral duct work, LED lighting and natural light from the clerestory give the Innovation Laboratory a bright, open feel and create an inspiring environment for thought and creativity.