Hanes Art Center Makerspace Gets a High-Tech Upgrade |

Hanes Art Center Makerspace Gets a High-Tech Upgrade

By Dave DeFusco

In 2019, the BeAM staff at UNC-Chapel Hill recognized the need for a comprehensive refurbishment of the Hanes Art Center makerspace. At the time, the space—originally designed as a pottery studio—suffered from outdated infrastructure, a dominant and dusty woodshop and a layout that restricted accessibility and efficiency. The goal was to create a safer, cleaner and environment that would attract students from various disciplines, reinvigorate engagement with the Department of Art and Art History and provide new opportunities for digital fabrication.

The pandemic delayed the original renovation plans, but in the spring of 2024, BeAM received essential funding that allowed the project to move forward that summer. The renovation, completed in time for a grand reopening in February, focused on expanding the digital fabrication area, improving the workspace’s lighting and acoustics and adding state-of-the-art equipment to enhance functionality.

“The grand reopening allowed us to showcase changes in the space that are going to significantly improve the student experience,” said D.J. Fedor, makerspace technical supervisor for the Hanes Art Center. “Now, instead of them walking into a cramped and dusty shop, they enter a bright, open and well-organized workspace that feels welcoming.”

A key element of the renovation was moving a non-loadbearing wall, reallocating floor space from the wood shop to the digital fabrication area. This shift allowed BeAM to address several long-standing issues:

Safer and more organized layout: The new entrance was relocated to a designated safe zone, preventing students from immediately stepping into areas with heavy machinery.
Enhanced digital fabrication capabilities: A second laser cutter—one of the most in-demand tools—was added, doubling BeAM’s capacity to support creative and research projects.
Improved lighting and aesthetics: Old fluorescent tubes were replaced with bright LED fixtures, and accent walls were painted to create a more inviting environment.
Better air quality and noise control: The addition of double doors with dust strips minimized dust penetration into the digital fabrication area, and a custom damper box helped muffle ventilation blower noise.
Expanded workstations: A new textile workspace was introduced, featuring a dual sewing/embroidery machine. Additionally, a 3D printing station and a second vinyl cutter were added to meet growing student demand.

The total cost of the renovation came to $28,000, a remarkably efficient budget largely due to BeAM staff’s hands-on approach to construction and installation. Instead of outsourcing tasks, experienced team members managed much of the work in-house, significantly reducing expenses. While the renovation primarily aimed to improve space functionality, it also sought to reignite student interest in BeAM’s facilities. Since the pandemic, traffic at the HAC makerspace has been slow to return. The grand reopening in February served as an opportunity to reintroduce the space to students and faculty across disciplines.

The renovation also positioned Hanes Art Center as a key resource for interdisciplinary collaboration. While makerspaces are often embedded within engineering or arts departments, BeAM at UNC-Chapel Hill takes a different approach: it is open to anyone regardless of major. This philosophy has led to a diverse array of users, from women’s studies and religious studies students making culturally significant garments to athletic teams and university staff engaging in team-building workshops.

“One of our calling cards is that we’re not tied to a single department,” said Kenny Langley, director of the BeAM program. “We actively try to be an open and welcoming space for all students, whether they’re interested in woodworking, digital fabrication, textiles or something else entirely.”

The introduction of additional digital tools has already begun to reshape the types of projects students and faculty pursue at Hanes Art Center. The new laser cutter, in particular, has been a game-changer. “It’s probably the most popular piece of equipment we have,” said Fedor. “It’s beginner-friendly and allows students to quickly create intricate designs without extensive training.”

Similarly, the addition of 3D printers has increased access to rapid prototyping, benefiting both research initiatives and creative explorations. “This year, we’ve seen an enormous demand for both laser cutters and 3D printers,” said Glenn Walters, senior technical advisor at BeAM and a professor of the practice in the Department of Applied Physical Sciences. “Whether for research, coursework or personal projects, students are eager to use these tools.”

In addition to laser cutting and 3D printing, the makerspace has seen a surge of interest in textiles. “Who knew there was a whole community of students who just wanted to sew?” said Fedor. “Now that we have high-quality sewing and embroidery machines, more students are engaging in textile-based projects.”

Jim Hirschfield, who played a pivotal role in BeAM’s inception and was chair of the UNC Art Department from 2010 to 2017, said the renovation does a good job of expanding digital fabrication capabilities while maintaining a fully functional wood shop. Hirschfield sees this balance as essential for students in the arts.

“I got into the arts through woodworking, so I find value in working directly with wood using traditional machinery. The smell, the feeling—those sensory connections to the material are invaluable,” he said. “But projects using digital fabrication can be accomplished faster and more efficiently on a grander scale.”

The renovation, completed in time for a grand reopening in February, focused on expanding the digital fabrication area, improving the workspace’s lighting and acoustics and adding state-of-the-art equipment to enhance functionality.