Co-Making: Research into London’s Open access Makerspaces and Shared Workshops

Workshop East was commissioned by the London Legacy Development Corporation and the Greater London Authority to undertake research into ‘co-making’ within London. Rhianon Morgan-Hatch worked as a research assistant for Workshop East. The full report can be accessed online here as a pdf. 

Co-making as a sector and as a type of workplace was highlighted in the Local Economy Study and the Artist’s Workspace Study produced in 2014 by We Made That, and in the 2014 GLA commissioned report Supporting Places of Work: Incubators, Accelerators and Co-working Spaces (prepared by URS, Gort Scott, Ramidus Consulting & #1 seed).

This report sets out the definition of co- making and explores the concept in three parts:
The first overview section compiles information from 89 spaces which meet the research criteria of a co-making space. Data is presented on disciplines catered for, location, building type, facilities, age, user costs, and business type.

This gives a picture of co-making in London as of August 2014. It is not representative of all ‘making’ spaces in London but instead gives an insight into this particular form of collective work space - giving an idea of the richness, scale and scope of what is a largely unseen sector.

The second section profiles 22 spaces located across London. It illustrates a variety of operational models within the sector. This section of information provides a greater level of detail from a selection of representative spaces.

Gathered through visits and interviews, this information is presented in photographic and chart form to invite constructive comparisons between spaces.

The third section looks in detail at several case studies and issues such as set up, finance, location, community, business, employment and training.

Three main case studies - Blackhorse Workshop, Workshop East, London Print Studio - are covered in a detailed study of layouts and building, and comparisons made with other spaces.

With reference to further case studies we then look at how co-making spaces are supporting business growth, enterprise and digital technology, as well as their role in supporting communities and placemaking.

Finally the report pulls together conclusions on the current state of co-making spaces in London and makes recommendations for supporting them as a vehicle both for fostering enterprise and creating positive social space.