Owen Kelly talks with Jake Harries, the director of art and innovation at Access Space, in Sheffield, England.

Access Space offers people interested in art, design, computers, recycling, music, electronics, photography and more, opportunities to meet like-minded people, share and develop skills and work on creative, enterprising and technical projects.

Access Space runs Refab Space, a DIY FabLab, developed and completed in 2012. With its suite of rapid prototyping tools, including a laser cutter, 3D printer and CNC router, this benefits artists, business start-ups and the community as a whole.

Access Space offers an inclusive environment. As well as working with artists, academics, creative technologists, programmers, scientists, other professionals and students, 50% of the participation in Access Space’s activities has been from people in danger of exclusion and on the margins of society, including: people with disabilities, homeless people, ex-offenders, asylum seekers, refugees and people with mental health issues.

They discuss the ways in which the current lockdown has affected Access Space, as well as a range of issues including the commons, laser printing, open source, and possible futures.