Response to COVID-19
MakerBay respects the Government Guidelines on the COVID-19 pandemic. We are however still open, and follow the Government Guidelines while also implementing our own safety measures.
Common Questions
MakerBay is an organisation that is welcome to anyone. We use technology and innovation to solve social and environmental problems, and link our solutions to the SDGs. (Sustainable Development Goals)
Our opening hours are on our contact information. We’re open 24/7 for Studio and Fixed Bench members.
Yes. During some holidays, we will be open only for Studio and Fixed Bench members
Only accessible for Studio and Fixed Bench members. It is not permitted to sleep at MakerBay.
Many machines are accessible without any training ; but more advanced, potentially harmful or expensive machines require training.
Every machine is different. For the safety of others, for safeguarding the equipment, we need to guarantee you can use the desired machine safely, with confidence, consistently.
While making something it is common to damage consumables and tools. It is not your intention, but it does happen. A lot. Deposit are generally refunded.
MakerBay in Tsuen Wan and Central do sell, materials, tools, books and more. We try to provide the essentials for makers so that your creativity and ingenuity is not interrupted by the need for shopping.
We want to help you make amazing things, so here is the list of the best suppliers we know in and around Hong Kong! You're welcome! Please contact us to add and keep this list up to date. Thank you!
General
A makerspace is a collaborative workspace inside a school, library or separate public/private facility for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses high tech to low tech tools. These spaces are open to kids, adults, and entrepreneurs and have a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, cnc machines, soldering irons and even sewing machines. A makerspace, however, doesn’t need to include all of these machines or even any of them to be considered a makerspace. If you have cardboard, legos and art supplies, you’re in business. It’s more of the maker mindset of creating something out of nothing and exploring your own interests that’s at the core of a makerspace. These spaces are also helping to prepare those who need the critical 21st century skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). They provide hands-on learning, help with critical thinking skills and even boost self-confidence. Some of the skills that are learned in a makerspace pertain to electronics, 3D printing, 3D modeling, coding, robotics and even woodworking. Makerspaces are also fostering entrepreneurship and are being utilized as incubators and accelerators for business startups. There have already been some amazing success stories that have come out of makerspaces to date. (From Makerspace.com)
MakerBay is an inclusive, industrious and innovative community of experts and novices, young and old, benevolent and entrepreneurs in the fields of arts, design, engineering and science.
Our vision is to develop a sustainable and prosperous civilisation through social and environmental impact.
Our mission is to provide education, awareness and empower makers with space, tools, community and services.
Our values are Integrity, Creativity, Resourcefulness, Openness.
When it comes to Maker Education, our priorities are:
- Empathy for social and Environmental issues
- Curiosity, Collaboration, Perseverance
- Creativity with design and fabrication tools
Hong Kong is the perfect city for makers because:
* Hardware: You can get anything you want from Sham Shui Po, Mong Kok, Shenzhen Electronic Market, TaoBao, Alibaba. Over the counter or custom-made, ANYTHING!
* Business Friendly: For more than 20 years in a row, HK is the "Freest Economy in the world". No matter where you come from, it is very easy to register a company, open a bank account and be up and running in no time. HK has favourable labour laws, very low taxes and an effective online banking system.
* International: you can conduct all your business in English. Most western countries do not need a visa to visit HK and it is free. HK is the most cosmopolitan city in East Asia - the door to Asian markets, 5.5 hours flight away from more than half of the world population. And you can go from the heart of the city to the airport in 24 minutes!
* Intellectual Property: HK benefits from the "one country, two system" and is run by the Basic Law and solid intellectual property law to protect your IP.
* Convenient: Best public transportation system in the world (MTR), convenient taxis, and affordable van deliveries day and night.
* Safety: HK crime rate is one of the lowest in the world, so you are never worried about your family and your coworker's security.
* Freedom: HK enjoys free internet, fast wireless connectivity (4G) and free speech.
* Creative: HK is rapidly becoming Asia's creative hub with a vibrant creative scene (arts, design), innovation (science, engineering) and a booming startup economy.
* Culture & Food: Hong Kongers are known for their can-do attitude, education and an international mindset. People are obsessed with food here!
* Nature: when people think about HK, they think about towers, crowded streets and shopping. Wait! HK has amazing trail hikes, beaches, you can sail, ride a horse, do so many sports and most of it is so easily accessible!
* Small agile market: small is beautiful! HK small market and people's appreciation of new technologies and trend makes HK a great place to try new ideas.
No, we're not working for the tourism bureau haha! But yes, we love Hong Kong! Welcome!!!
Sure, Hong Kong is amazing (read above) but it also has many problems! For instance
* Priciest home market in the world
* HK is one of the highest income inequality
* It is crowded
* It is rapidly ageing
* It is very biodiverse but suffering from intense pollution
* it is a consumer "disposable" society and lack of recycling culture
* It is highly dependent when it comes to water, food, energy
* not taking adequate care of refugees, ethnic minorities, cage dwellers and homeless
In many ways, Hong Kong is experiencing many of the challenges of a mature, post-industrial society. Many other places are experiencing the same challenges, but Hong Kong definitely has the resources to address these issues.
As a makerspace, we can invent that can try to address these issues. MakerBay uses System Thinking, Design Thinking, rapid prototyping to lead workshops in trying to address these issues. You can see that many of MakerBay projects are about social and environmental issues, trying to address symptoms and root cause. MakerBay has a working map for making decisions which project it will take trying to maximize impact.
MakerBay is an ecosystem builder. We love to help other makerspaces. In fact, we have helped build several other makerspaces in schools, universities, companies, in public spaces for events... So, in line with the good tradition of Open Source / Hardware, we love to promote our peers, the other makerspaces in the region.
MakerBay is always looking for people who are passionate about making and love sharing and nurturing other people. Please come say hi and let's have a chat!
MakerBay has a wide variety of projects. From Air Quality Sensors to a Coral Reef Mapping Robot, starting or participating in a project with MakerBay is one of the best experiences you will ever have! Check out our Projects page to get more of an insight of what we have done so far.
Community
Website members can be seen in https://makerbay.net/members/
Workshop Questions
Take a look at our front page for more information!
Sure! Several of our members even share their tools with the community. Many of MakerBay tools are donations.
Absolutely. MakerBay is always looking for passionate and knowledgeable people generous to share their expertise and / or desire to explore and create beautiful and meaningful things with the community.
The heavy tools we have at MakerBay are between 500 kg and 1.2 tons. Our doors are really big.
Courses
Both offline and online course information are available on https://makerbay.net/education/.
Offline courses may have different procedures for enrolment. Refer to the course information for details or contact MakerBay.
Online courses are accessible to users of makerbay.net.
Certificates for both online and offline courses are available in your makerbay.net user profile. When clicking the "Courses" section of your user profile, you will find two subsections "My Courses" and "My Certificates." After choosing "My Certificates," your course certificates are able to be downloaded.
Memberships
Membership plans for MakerBay are available in https://makerbay.net/memberships/ . Choose your intended membership plan and the MakerBay team will confirm your registration and transaction.
4 Membership plans are offered: Open Innovator, Committed Innovator, Innovation Journeyman and Impact Innovator. Each plan offers specific perks such as impact assessments, live events & class mentor groups at a cost of 100 HKD, 750 HKD, 1700 HKD and 2700 HKD per month respectively. More information is available in https://makerbay.net/memberships/.
HOT BENCH
A shared workspace in a common area. When you purchase a Hot Bench, there is no need to reserve a particular workspace in advance each day; you can come and go as needed and use any available desk.
This plan includes access to our co-working area and workshop in opening hours, as well as discounted rates for reserving workspaces and conference rooms as well as rooftop and exhibition event space.
FIXED BENCH
An assigned desk space in a large open area. This dedicated space comes with a lockable filing cabinet for your personal belongings. Desktops may be set up and left overnight.
This plan includes 24/7 keycard access to our co-working space and workshop, as well as reserving workspaces, conference rooms, rooftop and exhibition event space at a discounted rate.
STUDIO
A fully enclosed, lockable office space. This plan includes 24/7 keycard access to our co-working space and workshop, as well as reserving workspaces, conference rooms, rooftop and exhibition event space at a discounted rate.
Hot Bench monthly pass and Fixed Bench monthly pass begin the day you sign up and are billed monthly. Studio membership plans begin on the 1st of the month. Our one-calendar month move-out policy requires move out on the last day of the month for Studio, allowing new members to move in on the 1st of the month. If this day lands on a weekend, arrangements will be made accordingly.
Yes! Our flexible month-to-month commitment provides you with the stability of an office along with the flexibility you need to grow your business. MakerBay also offers longer term commitments; call us at +852 9610 8167 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
If you’re looking to schedule a start date on a longer timeline, please speak with MakerBay Staff at your desired location. We’re happy to discuss potential options with you.
MakerBay staff are generally onsite at Tsuen Wan site between 10 AM – 7 PM Monday through Friday. We are also at Central site between 2 PM – 8 PM Wednesday through Sunday.
For members with Fixed Bench, or Studios, Tsuen Wan site is accessible by key card 24/7.
Tours must be scheduled in advance. This ensures our availability and helps our team focus on helping you choose the best working space and membership plan. Give us a call at +852 9610 8167 or email us at [email protected] to schedule a tour!
The square footage of studios at Tsuen Wan is at least 110 ft2. Each studio provides more than enough room for a team to work comfortably. Schedule a tour to check it out for yourself!
Both Hot Bench 7 Day Pass and Monthly Pass do offer mail and package handling. If you would like to add mail and package handling, please reach out to MakerBay Team.
At this time, we do not offer the option for Hot Bench or Fixed Bench membership plans to have guests in our common area workspaces. If you would like to have a guest work with you for the day, you are welcome to reserve a meeting room.
Yes. Just make sure you register them either on the guest list or notify MakerBay Team.
Studio and Fixed Bench may be paid by credit card, bank transfer, cheque or cash. For Hot Bench Memberships you can pay by credit card or cash.
Members with Fixed Bench or Studio are required to give one-calendar month notice to move out or transfer offices. Move out notice must be submitted in writing by the last business day of the month prior to vacating. Example: If a member wants to move out on August 31st, they must give notice to MakerBay on July 31st.
Partnerships
Please fill out the contact us form. Once you do this, our Partnership Team will get in touch with you.
MakerBay focuses on Innovation for Environmental and Social Impact, and we are happy to partner with any organisation to create, build or deliver our services. For e.g. if you are a company who has expertise in a certain area, and you are looking to do community outreach or implement a solution or manufacture a product, or you are a charity and you have beneficiaries who could benefit from MakerBay services, in all these cases we can engage as a partner or supplier.
MakerBay is open to one time or long term partnerships. It is more dependent on the context of our engagement.
Interns
Presenting our MakerBay Intern Application Form!
PS. Just make sure you have a resume ready 🙂 Don't worry if you don't have one, this is a good chance to make one! Start with something simple, and then every time you do something you can add to it.
The application process is fairly simple. Once you complete the form, you will receive an email asking you to schedule a time for an interview. Don't panic about the interview, as long as you have your thoughts clear, you're fine! After your interview, it's the big moment. You'll receive a message confirming whether or not you got the internship!
You can always ask our previous interns for help, they're more than happy to give some advice!
Not necessarily! As an intern you have to contribute skills and you'll also get the chance to develop new ones too! If you have skills to do with tools and machinery, then great! These are the skills you can contribute. If you don't then no problem! Use your internship at MakerBay as an opportunity to develop valuable experience in this area.
Of course! It's not the end of your journey with MakerBay if you don't get accepted. We are always looking to grow our community. This already has been done before so don't worry about not getting accepted during your first attempt! Think of it as a learning experience 🙂
Yes we do! Want to intern with us and gain amazing life skills and more? Check out our Intern Application Form!
Do More with MakerBay
Let’s do it. Please get in touch! [email protected]
We do work with corporate regularly.
MakerBay is not a school, it is not affiliated with the HK Education Bureau, so it does not deliver diplomas. You can learn a lot while making things.
Yes! MakerBay often works with volunteers, interns and offers work experiences.
Contact
23 Mei Wan Street | 美環街23號Tsuen Wan New Territories Hong Kong
Hours of Operation
Monday - Sunday : 10:00 - 19:00
Telephone / Whatsapp
+852 6379 5556 (Thomas - English) (Workshop Inquiries)
+852 4638 0364 (Cherry - Chinese, English) (General Inquiries)
+852 9610 7593 (Cesar - English)
Group Visit (more than 4 people)
Groups MUST book at least 7 days in advance.
30 minutes tour 50HKD/ Person
If you want a presentation or a mini workshop get in touch for a quote: [email protected]
By MTR
- MTR Tsuen Wan Exit A4 towards Discovery Park
- Walk towards IKEA, CDW building on the footbridge
- Walk down the staircase from the footbridge into Mei Wan Street
- We're on the ground floor, next to the CDW building, where IKEA is.
By Car
- Parking at CDW building 8 1/2 mall
From HK Airport
- Public transport MTR 35 minutes
1. Airport Express to Tsing Yi (Airport express line)
2. Tsing Yi to Lai King (Orange Tung Chung line)
3. Lai King to Tsuen Wan (Red Tsuen Wan line) - Taxi 25 minutes
From Shenzhen By Train (around 1 hour and 30 minutes)
- There are many buses from Tsuen Wan to Shenzhen.
By Bus
- Tsuen Wan is a massive bus terminal.
Tsuen Wan Station Public Transport Interchange – Exit A1 / A2: 41M, 41P, 59M, 60M, 66M, 68M, 238M, China Express Bus to Huanggang
Sai Lau Kok Road – Exit A4 / D: 30X, 34M, 39A, 39M, 42M, 53, 234A, 234B, 243M, A31, E31, N31
Luk Yeung San Chuen – Exit B3: Express Bus to Huanggang
Tai Ho Road North – Stairs from the passageway between Exit A and B: 51, 848, R42
Castle Peak Road – Exit A1 / A2: 57M, 58M, 59A, 61M, 67M, 68A, 69M, 69P, 260C, 265M, 269A, 269M, 868, N260, N269
Sai Lau Kok Public Transport Interchange –Exit B1 / B2: 95M, 96M, 96S
Sai Lau Kok Road – Exit A4 / D: 95A, 95M, 95K, 96A, 96B, 96C, 96M, 301, 301M,
By Bicycle and Motorbike
- There is a motorbike parking and bicycle railing just outside of MakerBay Tsuen Wan
Unit H-508, Block B, Hollywood Side
35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
香港中環, 鴨巴甸街35號
Hours of Operation
Wednesday - Sunday : 14:00 - 19:00
Closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays
Telephone / Whatsapp
+852 9610 7593 (Cesar - English)
By MTR
MTR Central, Exit D2
From Central Station (Exit C)
- Turn left and walk along Des Voeux Road
- Turn left at Queen Victoria Street to the former Central Market
- Take the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator
- Get off and make a right at Staunton Street
- Walk straight until Aberdeen Street (PMQ)
By MTR From Sheung Wan Station (Exit E2)
- Walk through Grand Millennium Plaza to Bonham Strand
- Cross over the zebra crossing and turn left
- Walk along Wellington Street (up to Lin Heung Tea House)
- Turn right at Aberdeen Street to PMQ
From Hong Kong Station (Exit E1)
- Exit International Finance Centre (IFC)
- Walk through the Central Elevated Walkway(footbridge) to Hang Seng Bank Headquarters and the former Central Market
- Take the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator
- Get off and turn right at Staunton Street
- Walk straight to Aberdeen Street (PMQ)
For driving directions, please visit here.
