About

"CoMakingSpace" is an open workshop for Makers from all backgrounds. We aim to provide everyone with the tools, space and skills to make whatever they come up with.

This idea is not new: the so-called Maker Movement started years before we became active in Heidelberg and is a worldwide phenomenon driven by a community of Makers who want to regain control over the objects surrounding us in our everyday life. Besides being highly innovative, the principle of local or "desktop" design and fabrication has the potential to replace conventional industry in certain sectors as the importance of sustainability is increasingly acknowledged.

Who Are Makers?

Artisans, artists, chefs, craftspersons, hackers, hobbyists, inventors, mechanics, musicians, photographers, programmers, prototypers, scientists, tinkerers; children or grown-ups, students or teachers, workers or retirees - the short version is: anyone can be a Maker!

What connects us is the desire to create something with our own hands or minds, be it because it does not exist yet or we want to make it more personal or simply better than the available alternatives. Aside from creating or improving, Makers also repair things that break instead of throwing them away. This involves learning and figuring out how things work.

Our Principles

• Learn - Make - Teach - Repeat

Teaching others how to do something is more rewarding than just doing it by yourself - and who knows, you may even learn something new yourself!

• Community First

Projects and endeavours that potentially disturb other Makers or neighbors, i.e. such causing excessive noise or smell and taking up a lot of space, are coordinated in a way that is best for all parties.

• Repair, Repurpose, Reuse

Some things considered garbage might be just the part you need. Can you salvage some of your old projects for parts?

• Respect the Tools

Though tool-use is part of the membership in the CoMakingSpace, each tool should be handled with respect and care. Treat them well so we can enjoy our tools for a long time. Use the right tool for the right purpose. If you are not sure, ask a tutor for help.

• Everyone's Safety Is MY Responsibility

Be aware of your surroundings and know what you are doing (or find a tutor). If you see others attempting something stupid, let them know about the risks before they experience it themselves.

• If You Dirty It, Clean It

You don't want to have to clean every piece of equipment or the room itself before being able to start with your project, so please do it afterwards and the next user will thank you and do the same.

• If It Is Broken, Report It

We need to know if things break, regardless of whose fault it may be. Only if we know as soon as possible we can try to fix it or claim a warranty or insurance case. For small things it's best to replace them yourself if you break it.

• If You Lose It, Replace It

Sh*t happens - if a small tool goes missing during your project, please quickly get a replacement and nobody will even notice!

• If You Consume It, Donate

Materials need to be bought, please let us know if something is running out. There are donation boxes near provided consumables, and this wiki will provide you with hints on how much things would cost in a store.

• Hack Responsibly

Experiments are a key principle of innovation, but only attempt new things you can fairly assume to be safe (do some research!) and be prepared to immediately replace anything that might break if your idea (maybe a new use for a tool?) was not so great after all. Sharing your experience, successful or not, may help many others!