T.I.E.S. FAB LAB-TEACHING INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN S.T.E.M. | MIDDLE SCHOOL FABRICATION LABORATORY | Irvington, NJ

Designing the Future of S.T.E.M. Education

The Challenge: 

The Teaching Institute for Excellence in S.T.E.M. (T.I.E.S.) brought us in to help them solve a critical challenge: how to transform a standard classroom into a dynamic, state-of-the-art Fabrication Laboratory for their middle school students. The goal was to create a flexible and inspiring environment that could foster both rigorous safety and boundless innovation, giving students a space to truly explore their potential as makers and creators.

The FADE Approach: 

This project was a deep dive into the architecture of learning, guided by our FADE philosophy. As Architects, we developed multiple design options that organized the lab into distinct, functional zones for digital work, clean fabrication, and machine-based making. Our plans prioritized crucial elements like air quality, material flow, and safety, creating a clean and bright environment to house everything from CNC routers to sewing machines. Our role as Educators shaped the entire process. We believe a well-designed Fab Lab is a tool for empowerment, and every decision was made to foster student growth and provide an early pathway into future careers.

The Outcome (A Blueprint for the Future): 

While this project did not proceed to construction, the design process itself provided a valuable blueprint and a powerful lesson in collaboration. The detailed plans and renderings we created gave the school a tangible vision for the future of their S.T.E.M. program. For our firm, it reinforced our core belief that thoughtful design is absolutely essential for creating safe, flexible, and truly empowering educational spaces that prepare students for the future.

We have the expertise to combine architecture and education to design educational spaces that foster innovation and empowerment. Let's begin the design process for your space.