Griffintown Makerspace

Student Name: Justin Li

School: Carleton University Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism

Degree Program: B.Arch

Location of Project: Montreal

Year of Project: 2019

Brief Description of Project:

Sited in Griffintown, Montreal, this project will re-envision a community center for the 21st century. This is a forward-thinking civic building that is situated in the once industrial manufacturing hub, which is now being redeveloped into a vibrant community targeted towards young professionals and families. Makerspaces are creative spaces that are designed to engage participants in hands-on activities that teach skills relevant to modern day society. The emphasis is placed upon educating students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects as well as digital and information literacy. The collaborative nature of this makerspace encourages the development of ideas through an ongoing exchange of ideas and skills. New models of light industry (robotics, artificial intelligence, media arts) are well served in makerspace environments and coexist alongside old models of light industry (fashion, industrial design, metalworking). The Griffintown Makerspace bridges the gaps between old and new by integrating diverse and accessible spaces. Along the central atrium, a continuous ramp guides one from the ground level to the roof, journeying occupants through the various programmatic features of the building while simultaneously framing historically significant views of Griffintown.