TheLab Makerspace Finds a New Home in Richardson

TheLab.ms established a physical makerspace in Plano in 2015, providing residents with opportunities to innovate and create. With TheLab’s membership program, members have access – after a training process – to 3D printers, laser cutters, a woodshop, pottery, vinyl cutters and other kinds of equipment used to create. In the spring of 2020, the nonprofit’s lease in Plano was up, and the City of Richardson expressed strong interest in bringing TheLab.ms to its new Innovation Quarter.

“We actually had a couple Richardson city council members come and visit the space,” shared TheLab’s President Olivia Snyder. “They were really excited about the possibility of us being there. So, with city support both financially and with city officials being interested in us, we felt the move to Richardson would be a boom to us member-wise and having that open communication with the city.”

The makerspace’s move to Richardson has gone over smoothly, and the new physical location is now open to members. There will be a Feb. 2 “not-so-grand opening,” as the team is calling it, for non-members to come ask questions and check out the space.

“Part of TheLab is the making, but the other side is community. That’s the culture we want – to have space where info is freely shared and members help one another,” TheLab’s Vice President Tommy Falgout said. “We want to know you. We want you to succeed. We want people to feel safe and comfortable making here.”

TheLab.ms is like “a gym for tinkerers and makers,” according to Olivia. It is completely volunteer-run, and it is led by people who have a passion for creating as well as lifting up other creators. It works like a “do-acracy,” Tommy noted. This means that if a member would like to begin creating something new in the space and needs equipment to do so, they can submit a proposal to leadership. TheLab.ms is what the members want it to be.

TheLab.ms
999 East Arapaho Rd
Richardson, TX 75081