LOCATION: Basement level of Benedum Hall
OUR MISSION: The University of Pittsburgh Makerspace strives to provide students, staff, and faculty of all majors and disciplines a dedicated place for hands-on design and fabrication, collaborative work, and learning.
Our Spaces
Innovation Space Station (ISS)
Tools: prototyping materials, 3D printers, vinyl cutters, sewing, A/V editing
Location: B06
Get Trained
Basic Safety Training
Required for anyone using the ISS, and covers the space's basic tools and prototyping materials during open hours.
STEP 1 - Watch the training video
STEP 2 - Take the quiz
STEP 3 - Visit the ISS (B06) during open hours and talk to a mentor to complete the in-person portion of your training. The mentor will guide you through a 5-10 minute training.
Machine Training is required separately for each machine in the ISS, ask the mentor on duty during open hours.
Treehouse Training
Required to enter or use the Treehouse, and must be completed after Basic Safety Training.
Treehouse training is a separate, 1-hour, in-person session. See the training schedule below.
Fall 2026 Treehouse Training Availability:
Monday: 11am-12 pm and 3 pm-4 pm
Tuesday: 11 am-12 pm
Wednesday: 1 pm-2 pm
Thursday: 1 pm-2 pm
Friday: None
Frequently Asked Questions
Any current Pitt student (undergraduate and graduate) or Pitt staff can use our spaces and materials free of charge!
All current open hours are posted above!
Any current Pitt student can apply to become a mentor on our Makerspace Team webpage!
To use machines located in the ISS, complete the Basic Safety Training, then ask the mentor on duty during open hours for specific machine trainings.
To use machines located in the Treehouse, you need to complete a separate 1-hour, in-person training session. Basic Safety Training is required first.
If you want to use materials that we do not provide, you must get it approved by Brandon Barber. You can DM him in the Slack or email him at brandon.barber@pitt.edu.
You can get metal laser cut for certain projects with the Swanson Center for Product Innovation (SCPI), which is the machine shop in Benedum. Contact Andy Holmes at aholmes@pitt.edu for more information.
Project Resources
- Thingiverse - website dedicated to the sharing of user-created digital design files
- MakerCase - website for designing boxes for laser cutting or CNC routing
- BambuStudio - software slicer for 3D printing digital models
- Python Download - coding software, commonly used in workshops
- Pitt Software Download
- McMaster Carr - supplier of hardware, tools, raw materials, industrial materials, and maintenance equipment.
- Smooth-On - manufacturer of silicone rubbers, polyurethane rubbers and plastics, rigid and flexible urethane foams, epoxies, polysulfide rubbers, adhesives, coatings, release agents, and other material technologies.
- Swanson Center Product Innovation (SCPI) - Swanson's machine shop, useful for metal work and capstone project guidance.
- Location: G16 Benedum Hall
- Student Electronic Resource Center (SERC) - Electronics Laboratory, useful for learning fundamental hands on knowledge of electronics, PCB designing, etc.
- Location: 1217 Benedum Hall
- Open Lab @ Hillman - A separate Pitt based academic makerspace.
- Location: 132 Hillman Library
Fall 2026 Open Hours
Monday: 9 am-8 pm
Tuesday: 9 am-8 pm
Wednesday: 9 am-8 pm
Thursday: 9 am-8 pm
Friday: 9 am-3 pm
Outside availability may be requested through our community Slack channel but is not guaranteed.
