South Philly’s “light” industrial core—a.k.a. Washington Avenue West—just got a lot heavier.
NextFab is expanding their stable of high-tech gear and community of inventors to a 21,000-square-foot warehouse at Washington Avenue and 21st Street. The
grand opening party is scheduled for January 17.
The doors open wide enough for an onsite forklift. They guard cutting-edge equipment, including a five-axis waterjet cutter and a computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine. Additional room allows for private member offices, a sizeable woodshop, conference and class rooms, and a walk-in booth for painting hefty objects. The new site also includes a television lounge and satellite
Cafe L'Aube.
“There is enough space for all of us to think and work in comfort,” says founder and president Evan Malone.
Three years ago, NextFab made news, pioneering a space where emerging makers could access 3D printers, laser cutters, textile machines and other advanced technologies for a monthly fee. Their short legacy of
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) achievement for Philadelphia at large includes work with
Optofluidics,
UE Life Sciences,
Philadelphia Futures and
Atomic Robotics.
Although an impressive list of creative enterprises—including
Pocket Grill,
Master of None and
Maria Eife Jewelry & Design—has hatched under their roof, most do not come to NextFab with know-how. "We helped hundreds of people with no technical background understand and learn to use digital fabrication technology," says Malone.
He adds that anyone with an affinity for technology and creativity is welcome to check out the space. Co-making, after all, is about sharing. "[The grand opening party] is our chance to show off the amazing new capabilities our members and clients now have access to," says Malone, "and to entice other curious Philadelphians inside."
Source: Evan Malone, NextFab
Writer: Dana Henry