About Us

Mission Statement

The Lehigh University Design Labs curate tools, technologies, and resources and provide technical educational and research support to foster a collaborative, interdisciplinary community of makers. The core mission of the Design Labs is to support creativity, exploration, and innovation in the arts, humanities, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and to help students, faculty, and staff develop ideas into physical prototypes.  Though closely integrated into curriculum, the Design Labs are also open to extracurricular, informal learning and personal development through workshops, clubs, and individual exploration. The Design Labs at Wilbur Powerhouse tout state of the art 3D printing technologies, a new Electronics Design Studio with the ability to both breadboard circuits and create prototype PCB boards, as well as a MakerSpace that includes everything from t-shirt printers to laser cutters to a waterjet. The Design Labs at Mountaintop boast a world class wood shop, a metal fabrication shop, and digital fabrication tools like a CNC router, CNC plasma cutter, and CNC laser cutter. Both facilities are accessible to all Lehigh students, faculty, and staff. Through this website, a robust set of training is available for each tool and resource within the Design Labs.

The Design Labs work closely with Lehigh leadership, as well as faculty and staff, to provide for the evolving needs of the University, and to centralize maker resources across campus.  Drawing upon the Lehigh University 2023 Strategic Plan, “Inspiring the Future Makers”, and the mission of the Office of Creative Inquiry, the Design Labs will continue to prioritize investment in the transformative tools and technologies that position Lehigh University as a world leader in innovation.