Hackerspace

A hackerspace (also referred to as a hacklab, makerspace or hackspace) is a community-operated workspace where people with common interests, often in computers, machining, technology, science, digital art or electronic art, can meet, socialize and collaborate. Hackerspaces have also been compared to other community-operated spaces with similar aims and mechanisms such as Fab Lab, men's sheds, and with commercial "for profit" companies such as TechShop.

Activities

In general, hackerspaces function as centers for peer learning and knowledge sharing, in the form of workshops, presentations, and lectures. They usually also offer social activities for their members, such as game nights and parties. Hackerspaces can be viewed as open community labs incorporating elements of machine shops, workshops, and/or studios where hackers can come together to share resources and knowledge to build and make things.

Many hackerspaces participate in the use and development of free software, open hardware, and alternative media. They are often physically located in infoshops, social centers, adult education centers, public schools, public libraries, or on university campuses, but may relocate to industrial or warehouse space when they need more room.

London Hackspace

London Hackspace (abbreviated LHS) is a non-profit hackerspace in London, UK, established in 2009. Originally located in Islington, it moved to Hoxton in July 2010. It moved to 12000 square feet of space at 447 Hackney Road, E2 9DY in April 2013. It is the largest hackerspace in the UK, with over 1000 paying members.

Founding

The group held its first meeting at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on 10 February 2009.

Organisational status

London Hackspace became the world's first virtualised non-profit corporation on 27 July 2011 when the members at the AGM voted to use the OneClickOrgs platform to carry out all the procedures of the board of directors.

Facilities

London hackspace has a wide variety of facilities split across two floors and a large outside yard, including equipment for electronics, 3D printing, craft, laser cutting, woodwork, metalwork, biology, amateur radio, robotics, and many other things. An incomplete list of equipment can be found on their wiki.

Projects