• Do you think of yourself as a creator, a designer, or an innovator?
  • Are you bursting with ideas, but need a place to allow them to grow?

If so, then we have a place for you. 

Our new creativity space is a home for anyone in the Princeton campus community who has an idea and needs some support bringing it to life. 

Our technical equipment, ranging from 3D printers to woodworking tools, as well as our creative classrooms, equipped with whiteboards, work tables, craft supplies, and more, are now available to make your ideas come alive. Our experienced staff sit ready to guide you through the imagining, planning, and execution of your most creative thoughts.

Not sure how to use our space, or unclear on what you could create here? Here are some examples:

  • A first-year student could embroider a Princeton tiger on a pillow to keep in their dorm room
  • A history major could fully grasp the military strategies utilized in the battle of Gettysburg by creating a model in the wood shop or with a 3D printer
  • A student startup could meet in our creative space to collaborate, sketch out designs on our whiteboard walls, and make low-fidelity prototypes
  • An English professor could make a character in a book come to life by creating a 3D printed likeness of the main character
  • A senior who has hit a mental roadblock working on her thesis could spend time in the space to re-engage her creative processes 
  • The entrepreneurship club could host their yearly hackathons in the space
  • An MAE student could work on refining his car design for his course
  • A staff member could make jewelry to wear to a fall football game

Who can use the space?

  • The makerspace is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, staff, and faculty. Please do not bring visitors outside of the Princeton campus community to the design lab. Before visiting the lab, please complete the Machine Shop online training module. Please be prepared to show proof of training.

Where is it?

  • The makerspace is located on the second floor of the H-Wing of the Engineering Quadrangle (sometimes referred to on campus maps as Von Neumann Hall). It spans the rooms of H200, H212, and H219. If you are unsure of how to get to the H-Wing, please follow the signage that begins in the A-Wing at the Keller Center staff offices. The simplest way to get to the H-Wing is entering the Engineering Quadrangle through the doors across from Shapiro walk. From there, proceed straight ahead down the hallway, following signage.
Keller Center Makerspace Map

 

When is it open?

  • The space is open from 7 pm to 10 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturdays. The space is locked, and may only be accessed during open hours when staff are available.

How can participants schedule training/time in the space?

  • If you are interested in being trained on a particular piece of equipment in the space, schedule an appointment during our open hours with a Graduate Student Educator. All machines outside of the woodshop require a minimum of one hour of training with a Graduate Student Educator. Machines in the woodshop require two hours of training with a Graduate Student Educator, and five hours of independent use with supervision. If you are simply interested in seeing our space and using the machinery after you’ve been trained, just stop by during our open hours!

What equipment is available for visitors to use?

3D Printers

3D Scanners

CNC Machines

Electronics

Sewing

Woodshop Tools

Who are the makerspace staff?

  • Carrie Collins. Contact her to:
    • Schedule a private tour of the facility
    • Learn how student organizations or faculty working on behalf of a course can use the space
    • Share ideas for improvements to the design lab or new equipment purchases
    • Ask questions about programming or events occurring in the space, or to host an event in the space 
  • Graduate Student Educators staff the space during our open hours
  • For all other inquiries, please contact kellercenter@princeton.edu 

Protocols for using the space

  • Abide by the ruling laws of the land. Adhere to Princeton University’s Rights, Rules, Responsibilities.
  • The makerspace is not open for use when staff is not present or available. If you have somehow entered the space without staff present, please exit immediately and come back during open hours. Use of the space without staff present will result in immediate disciplinary action and a ban from the space.
  • Follow all safety guidelines in the space, and listen to the Graduate Student Educators. They are there to help and keep you safe. In the event that you cannot follow safety guidelines, you will be asked to leave the space immediately, and barred from future use.
  • Please sign in with the Graduate Student Educators when you enter this space. This way, we know who is using our space, and can safely monitor training and equipment usage.
  • In the event of broken or damaged equipment, inform the Graduate Student Educators immediately. It’s a creative space -- we know tools break. You will not be penalized for damage as long as the equipment was being used properly, but continued use of broken equipment can result in further harm to both yourself and the tools.
  • Do not store materials or equipment in the hall. This is a fire hazard. Please use the storage cubbies located in the kitchenette if you need to come back to your project at a later time.
  • Clean up after yourself. The space is used for courses in addition to open hours. Please leave the room clean, so that it will not interfere with academic use.
  • Keep an eye on your own property. The design lab is not responsible for any lost or stolen property.
  • No gambling and no alcohol.
  • No pets in the facility, except for approved service animals. 
  • In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.

How can I make suggestions for the space?

  • The Keller Center would love to hear about how we can make our space better for our users. To make suggestions regarding space design, equipment and materials, events and workshops, or any other matters, please fill out our feedback form.

How do I get involved with the design and making community on campus?