DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/B6G9-MD25
Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7730-538X
Defense Date
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts
Department
Interior Design
First Advisor
Kristin Carleton
Second Advisor
Roberto Ventura
Third Advisor
Laura Battaglia
Fourth Advisor
Carla-Mae Crookendale
Abstract
Research Abstract:
Democracy depends on citizens’ participation at all levels, from local to national; moreover, engagement in one’s community is directly correlated with greater reported feelings of happiness and trust (Cox et al., 2021). This research examines how makerspaces can act as civic hubs that promote inclusive community interaction, facilitate the exchange of cultural and skills-based knowledge, encourage civic discourse, and serve as sites for political engagement through the provision of tools and resources that focus on historic home repair/preservation and craft-based trades. Specifically, this study proposes the development and design of a preservation-focused makerspace in Jackson Ward, a historically significant neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia, as a unique space for promoting social connection and preserving cultural heritage, and in turn fostering wider civic engagement in the community. By exploring the intersection of physical space, social interaction, creative cultural production, and civic participation, this study asks the question: How can the design and programming of makerspaces be optimized to strengthen their role as civic third spaces that promote community engagement, enhance place-making, and build social capital for users?
Methods:
This research employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining literature review, case study analysis, and contextual exploration of the project site’s unique architectural and cultural heritage. Key themes explored include third spaces, makerspaces, and historic preservation, analyzed through the lens of social capital and participatory urbanism. Primary sources from publications in urban sociology, design theory, and preservation studies have been synthesized to construct a framework to inform the design of a makerspace tailored to a community’s needs and dedicated to a wider civic mission.
Key Findings/Outcomes:
1. Role of Third Spaces: Makerspaces are often well-equipped to function as contemporary third spaces that foster community engagement through collaborative learning and skill-building (Antonioli, 2020; Qi et al., 2024). 2. Civic Engagement: Preservation activities can strengthen residents’ connection to their neighborhood, promoting civic pride and responsibility (Ibarra-Sevilla, 2023). 3. Cultural Reproduction: The proposed makerspace facilitates the transmission of traditional handcrafts that have a rich history in Richmond, such as ornamental ironwork, and thereby serves as a way to enhance place attachment (Debowski et al, 2023). 4. Economic Impact: By equipping residents with the tools and skills to preserve and repair the buildings in their community, the proposed makerspace could support local craftsmanship, economic resilience, and sustainable urban design practices (Schroder et al., 2023). 5. Inclusive Design: A makerspace’s cross-generational and multi-generational appeal creates an inclusive environment that can foster collaborative community improvement and empower civic activity (Dang et al., 2021).
Research findings underscore the tangible and intangible contributions of a makerspace to its host community, emphasizing its potential as a multifaceted solution for community revitalization, civic re-engagement, and cultural/historic preservation of built history.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-9-2025