Spencer Lab & Design Studio

The University of Delaware's Department of Mechanical Engineering sought to renovate their Design Studio spaces with a solution that fostered creative problem solving and visual thinking in the design of mechanical systems by providing more than just updates of their fabrication shop spaces. The design called for the creation of a set of new multi-functional spaces that combine curriculum, design environments, high and low-precision prototyping, and advanced computing resources in a comprehensive suite of modern facilities that capture the vision of the future of design and technology. The Design Studio is the most well established and utilized makerspace on campus, supporting nearly 700 students through 20 core design and lab courses in undergraduate programming. The new manufacturing cores, instructional spaces, and collaboration celebrates the College's recognition that design is the quintessential activity of an engineer.