Fabrication Facility

623 S. Wabash Ave., 10th Floor

Experience 15,000 square feet of state-of-the-art equipment in Columbia’s central making space. With the latest machines, power tools, and equipment, you can create everything from jewelry to 3D models to furniture in one collaborative space.

Open to all students enrolled in Art and Art History, Design, Fashion Studies, and Photography courses, the Fabrication Facility is the on-campus space for all things woodworking, metalworking, 3D printing, laser cutting, and more. With two equipment cribs to check out various tools, and materials available to purchase at-cost, you’ll have plenty of flexibility to blend mediums and build on your skills. We have experienced staff on-hand to help with your fabrication-related coursework.


For questions, please contact:
Nate Carder, Assistant Director: Makerspace Facilities, ncarder@colum.edu

  • Safety Authorization and Equipment Demonstrations

    The Fabrication Facility offers various trainings so you can safely and correctly use different machines and equipment. We also offer specialized training for working with light metals, the laser cutter, and 3D printing.

  • Laser Cutting, 3D Printing, and CNC Milling

    Develop pieces from concept to reality with our digital fabrication machines. With a little training, you can etch and cut out designs, and create molds and models. You’ll have access to Universal laser cutters, Makerbot PLA 3D printers, an Objet Prime 3D printer, and a 4-by-8 foot Laguna Puma CNC router.  

    Access to the CNC router is gained through coursework or through in-person CNC proficiency quizzes.

  • Woodworking

    Enjoy a large inventory of hand and stationary power tools. You’ll have access to band saws, a resaw band saw, a frame saw, table saws, combination sanders, belt sanders, specialty equipment like jointers and planers, and hundreds of specialized hand tools.  

  • Metalworking, Jewelry, and Ceramics

    Create fine pieces of jewelry and sculptural objects or manipulate sheet metal at our metalworking stations. You’ll have access to a dedicated soldering room, specialty hand tools for jewelry making, ring sizers, and a pickle pot to clean your creations. Use step shears and other machines to cut and bend sheet metal and pipe work. We also have pottery wheels and kilns for all your ceramic projects.

  • Plastics and Forming

    Use the Formech vacuum former, sandblasting station, plastic strip heater, saws and sanders to manipulate plastics, foams, and other materials into prototypes and large-scale projects.