[KwartzLab] The ideal Kwartzlab

[Ben Brown]

Improved Capabilities:

- Metalworking/welding(!)
- Proper ventilation
- More project storage for members
- Garage door
- Better (or rather, functional!) kitchen
- Shopbot!

Honestly I don't care a whole lot about having a lounge (except for the
library). If space was an issue, it'd be the first area of Kwartzlab I'd
get rid of. I also still prefer ground level space (or alternatively,
access to a beefy elevator).

I would also like to see the lab stay in the downtown core. Aside from
the bus terminal/upcoming LRT, the area is really starting to take off
as far as cool new things, startups, projects and other groups to
co-mingle with.  It's also decently centralized in the region between
Waterloo and Cambridge. I don't think a storefront location would suit us.

Cheers,
Ben

On 4/11/2012 10:07 PM, Darcy Casselman wrote:
> I wanna get a discussion going.
>
> Recognizing that the Boehmer Box might not be our home forever, we
> (that being the board, mostly) have started to talk to other groups
> and organizations about what opportunities might be out there for a
> long-term home.
>
> **DISCLAIMER**: We've not moving unless we have to, or unless
> something really awesome comes up.  We're just investigating options.
> Any decision to move, or any other similar big changes will be made at
> a general meeting of the members.  I'm not posting this to panic
> anybody.  Frankly, there's nothing to panic about.  We're just
> acknowledging that our neighbourhood is changing and our lovely $5/sq
> ft rent may well start going up sometime in the medium term.
>
> But that's not what I wanted to start a discussion about.
>
> What would an ideal Kwartzlab look like to you?
>
> More square feet?  Semi-private or rentable work space?  Fewer square
> feet for easier maintenance?
>
> If we had to change locations, where would you want to go?  Should we
> fight to stay in the downtown?  How about Waterloo or Cambridge?
> Access to transit or the expressway?
>
> Amenities?  Washrooms, showers, kitchen stuff?  An loungier lounge?
>
> More woodshop stuff?  More fablab stuff?  More coworking stuff?
>
> An autoshop?  Heavy machinery?  Greasy, messy stuff?  Garage door access?
>
> Or maybe a more welcoming store front sort of location?
>
> Sketch it out for me.
>
> For non-members, what kind of Kwartzlab would you be willing to pony
> up membership fees for?  Are we missing facilities, tools, etc. that
> would convince you to join?
>
> This is brainstorming.  There are no bad ideas.  :D
>
> Darcy.
>
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