s’Fanakalo [we make

Additionally, the Martienssen Library houses one of the preeminent architectural archives in Africa, with a collection dating back to 1922, including many earlier volumes. The School has collected architectural drawings since its inception, and has built a digital catalogue of the archive available at: http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/ handle/10539/10306

The library contains a wealth of information that students are highly encouraged to exploit. We encourage and support rigorous academic research from primary sources. Utilising these resources effectively is perhaps one of the most important ways to enhance your educational experience at Wits. Guests are not allowed inside.

The s’Fanakalo makerspace is located on Level A in the John Moffat Extension and will remain accessible from the exterior during the JME renovations. It consists of a digital lab containing a variety of 3D printers, laser cutters, printing presses and a CNC (computernumerical-controlled) milling machine, as well as a traditional woodworking and metalworking equipment. The s’Fanakalo makerspace also explores interdisciplinary research, such as the relationship between architecture, visual arts, filmmaking and open source technology.

Making is integral to the teaching and learning at the School and serves as an extension to the design, construction, structures and representation studios. The aim of the makerspace is to facilitate fabrication and production as a critical thinking tool, a way of developing embodied understandings of design processes from conception to realisation, construction technologies, materials, and processes of making.

s’Fanakalo Staff In times not subject to COVID restrictions, the s’Fanakalo makerspace is enabled by three academic staff and one full-time support staff member. Workshop staff have experience in model making, fabrication and fine arts, and will support and assist students in finding solutions to their representation and fabrication concerns.

The staff supervise and train students on the use of particular machinery. Due to capacity issues, some machinery may have restricted use, and students are advised to consult with the s’Fanakalo staff ahead of time to make arrangements.

Material Bank & Sample Library The digital fabrication lab contains a model material bank which has a wide range of offcuts of cardboards, coloured paper, Perspex, balsa, polystyrene, MDF, Masonite, Corex and styrene. These materials are donated by students when they have unwanted materials, unneeded surplus or offcuts and are used and distributed to undergraduate students, free of charge on the basis of need. The digital fabrication lab houses a material sample library with a wide variety of laser cutting materials, from cardboards to specialist plastics and timbers.

Equipment The s’Fanakalo maker space has a range of equipment and machinery available, which students may use under supervision and with appropriate training. See the following page for the equipment list.

Student digital fabrication project by D. Powell

Digital Fabrication Laboratory • 1x CNC milling machine; • 1x sla 3d printer; • 3x 3d filament printer; • 1x 3d powder printer; • 3x laser cutters; • 1x vinyl cutter; • 2x etching presses; • 1x light box; • 1x rotatory cutter; • 1x guillotine; • 1 x large cutting table, steel rulers, • T-squares and cutting knives.

Timber and Metal Workshop • 2 wood turning lathes; • 3 x large band saws; • 1 x small band saws; • 2x table saws; • 3x pedestal drills; • Various power tools; • Various hand tools; • 1x thicknesser; • 1x jointer; • 1x compressor and spray equipment; • 1x arc welder; • 1 x oxy acetylene torch; • 3x bench grinders; • 2 x belt sanders;

A student using the s’Fanakalo machinery

Access Due to health and safety concerns, access to any of the equipment is only granted after students have completed training in the relevant machinery and can demonstrate that they can use it safely and correctly.

Furthermore, due to COVID restrictions and protocols, access to the machinery and equipment will be by appointment only. Staff will have dedicated time slots which students may book in advance