Located on the main floor of Simon Fraser University’s W.A.C. Bennett Library, the Media + Maker Commons provides an accessible environment for creative exploration, making, and interdisciplinary learning. Visible from both Convocation Mall and from within the library, the space is designed to encourage participation and engagement from students across the university. Developed as part of the SFU Innovates initiative, the project brings together spaces for digital media, fabrication, collaboration, and experimentation within a shared campus resource.
The Commons is organized into a series of interconnected zones, including media production spaces, maker labs, project work areas, staff support spaces, and secure storage for ongoing work. Flexible layouts and open sightlines accommodate a range of activities, from independent making and prototyping to collaborative learning and mentorship. The clear organization of the space supports both focused work and spontaneous interaction, fostering connections between users with diverse skills, interests, and academic backgrounds.
The Maker Commons brings together tools, expertise and mentorship to support users to create and invent. The purpose of the Maker Commons is to foster cross-disciplinary learning, collaboration, and engagement within a creative “do it yourself” culture. This could mean access to a podcast studio for a political science student or a 3D printer for a literature student. The space empowers users to insert themselves into the production process and become “makers”.
