Latest News

Limited Access at SpaceLab during COVID-19 health crisis includes Mail Processing

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Governor Gretchen Whitmer (MI) issued a Stay Home, Stay Safe order for all non-essential businesses that took effect, Tuesday, March 24 at 12:01 a.m. It will be in place for at least three (3) weeks in response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

SpaceLab is currently closed for most business activity. However, as a postal agent, we will continue to process mail from the downtown location. We ask all Virtual/Mail customers to schedule mail pickup between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 313-379-7000 or email info@spacelabdetroit.com to schedule.

As always, Members with a keycard or keyfob still have access at both downtown and Seven Mile Road locations should you need to retrieve something. Use your best judgement when entering the space, as regular daily cleaning activity has ceased. Cleaning products and hand sanitizer are still in the space for your use.

There should not be any meetings or gatherings taking place at the downtown or Seven Mile locations.

Additionally, Day Passes have been suspended at both locations until further notice.

As current events and messaging about COVID-19 evolve, we continue to monitor and implement recommendations by government and health officials. We understand how difficult this time is as you continue to operate your business. Please email Bobby or me if you need assistance in any way, and we will do our best to help. See our Support Resources and Events pages for more information.

Karen A.D. Burton

Co-founder and CEO

SpaceLab Detroit

Detroit businesses share good news even during COVID-19 crisis

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SpaceLab members are continuing to operate their businesses and serve their clients. Here’s some great news they’ve shared over the past weeks. We hope the good news motivates you to keep moving your business forward.

Member SDG Architects & Planners is architect for the Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole (COW) office renovation in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (CAYMC) – the first renovation of the area in over 40 years. SDG worked with LLP Construction Services on this Design-Build project. 

photo by LLP Construction Services

Izzie LLC has contracted with the City of Highland Park to disinfect and sanitize the city’s four main buildings: Police Headquarters, Fire Department, Robert B. Blackwell Municipal Building, and the Ernest T. For Recreation Center.

Black Girl MATHgic reached a milestone with founder Brittany A. Rhodes giving her first-ever presentation as a full-time “mathpreneur” at the Mid School Math Conference in Santa Fe, NM, the largest middle school mathematics conference in the nation, in early March.

New members LottMetz Crutcher Architecture – a partnership of Grand Rapids-based Lott3Metz Architecture LLC and metro Detroit’s Crutcher Studio, Inc. – came together to propose larger developments in Southeast Michigan and plan to “positively contribute to Detroit’s urban revolution.” Read more on MiBiz >>>

Karen Burton, along with Saundra Little, AIA, spent time with Melissa R. Daniel on her podcast Architecture is Political. The conversation focused on architecture, their Noir Design Parti project, Detroit and entrepreneurship. Listen here >>>

SpaceLab Wants to Connect Online

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We want to keep the business and urban innovator community connected and supported, even though we’re physically distant. Many of you had workshops, presentations, exhibits or other events scheduled that had to be canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak. Anyone interested in meeting online by webconference for 30 minutes with our CEO Karen Burton to share your event, email us your name, phone number and presentation details (an Eventbrite link would work, too), and we’ll work to get you scheduled. Preference will be given to those sharing information on start-ups, business planning, design, construction and development, art and culture, and smart ideas to make our cities better.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

SpaceLab is Open for Business and Operating with Caution

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As current events and messaging about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) evolve, we continue to monitor and implement recommendations by government and health officials, practicing social distancing, postponing live events or taking them online, and following the preventive measures outlined on our website and posted in our offices.

We know that many in our community may be experiencing disruptions in work and regular daily life. As small business owners ourselves, we understand that the current conditions may be especially difficult for SMBs, entrepreneurs, freelancers and remote workers. While we are taking precautions, SpaceLab’s coworking spaces, offices and meeting rooms remain open for our members and guests. However, we are implementing the following changes for the foreseeable future:

  • Members with a keycard or keyfob will still have access to desk and meeting space and assigned private offices at both downtown and Seven Mile Road locations.
  • Virtual/Mailbox members are asked to schedule their pick up times, either by calling the reception desk or using your mail app.
  • Day Passes for the downtown location are available for download through Eventbrite. We have decreased the number of passes available each day to allow for social distancing (six feet to 10 feet between coworkers).
  • Day Passes have been suspended at the Seven Mile Road location.
  • Meeting rooms for small teams are available for rent, and private offices are available for short-term lease. Call 313-379-7000 or use the “Apply” button on our website to contact us for a reservation.

Our offices are cleaned each evening by a professional cleaning team, disinfected at mid-day, and meeting rooms are disinfected after each use.

SpaceLab wants to keep you connected to a business and urban innovator community. Watch our event calendar for upcoming online events and presentations.

Wishing you health and prosperity,

Karen Burton
Co-founder and CEO
SpaceLab Detroit

SpaceLab’s Preventive Practices against Coronavirus

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Updated Monday, March 16, 2020

SpaceLab Members, Guests and Friends:

We request that you join with us in following the preventive measures while working at and visiting SpaceLab locations as outlined below and as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization for the protection of us all.

While SpaceLab is thouroughly cleaned and disinfected every evening by a professional cleaning team and hard surfaces are disinfected during the day by building maintenance, we all need to do our part to reduce the spread of germs throughout the day.

  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • If you’ve traveled to a country that has a Level 3 Travel Health Notice (widespread, ongoing transmission), including China, Italy, Iran and South Korea, do not come to SpaceLab. You should stay home for at least 14 days from the time you left that country and practice social distancing. 
  • If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available in SpaceLab’s public areas and restrooms.
  • Antibacterial disinfectant spray and wipes are under the sink and will be in open work areas. 
  • Practice social distancing. Work at least six to 10 feet from the next person.
  • Wipe down your work surfaces, keyboards, arm rests and other surfaces. The cleaning crew will not move anything on your desk. They will only wipe down clear areas.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects, including your mobile phone.
  • Disinfect the kitchen counter and microwave after preparing your food.
  • Do not leave dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter. Place them in the dishwasher or wash them immediately.
  • Put food garbage in the trash receptacles in the kitchen. Rinse out beverage containers and place them in the recycle bins.
  • Disinfect meeting rooms after your meeting, before exiting the room. Wipes or spray will be available.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Cover nose or mouth with a tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.
  • Choose an alternative to hand-shaking (fist bump, touch elbows, nod, wave). Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

If you haven’t already, consider putting the tips above into practice at home and other places you visit as well.

Additionally:

We have canceled or postponed all upcoming live, in-person events. Watch our event calendar for upcoming online events and presentations.

All visitors should sign in at the reception desk so we can keep a record in case of a local confirmed case. Members, please inform your guests of the sign-in policy, and escort them to your workspace.

Members, please make sure we have your current contact information (email address and mobile number) so that we can contact you in case of emergency.We value your health and safety. Be well!

Karen Burton
Co-founder and CEO
SpaceLab Detroit

Apply for SpaceLab’s Saturday Market, part of the Detroit Black Business Crawl

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Saturday, Feb. 22 is the Detroit Black Business Crawl! SpaceLab Detroit is sharing our space with makers, creators and vendors to showcase creative, unique home accessories, clothing, and gifts in our 9th floor event space. Interested food vendors, email karenb@spacelabdetroit.com.

Market hours: 10 AM – 5 PM.

Apply today! Vendors will be will be notified by email or phone call.

APPLY FOR THE MARKET

We’ll also have free open coworking. Reserve your seat, and bring your ticket. Drop in at a desk, the work bar or work café to work for the day, and network and collaborate with Detroit’s urban innovators, professionals and entrepreneurs.

Historian and diversity and inclusion advocate Karen Burton introduces audiences to Detroit’s Black architects

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SpaceLab’s co-founder and CEO Karen Burton is an educator, historian, and diversity and inclusion advocate in the architecture and construction industry. Along with her colleague Saundra Little, AIA, NOMA, she founded Noir Design Parti, a Knight Arts Challenge winning project that chronicles the projects and career journeys of Michigan’s African American Architects. On Feb. 17, an interview with Karen will air on Michigan Radio where she will introduce listeners to Donald White, AIA, the first Black graduate of the University of Michigan’s College of Architecture and Michigan’s and Alabama’s first licensed Black architect.

Karen and Saundra will discuss the role of Black architects in Detroit’s design history to students in the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) on Feb. 15, and on Feb. 21 at 5:30 PM, they’ll lead a panel discussion with five of Detroit’s leading architects at The University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture.

Karen will also be a panelist on the topic “Revitalizing ‘Main Street'” at the 10th Annual Detroit Impact Conference, the flagship event of the Detroit Revitalization and Business (DR&B) Club at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

First Trade Day of 2020 brings Interior Products to Downtown Detroit

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Interior designers, architects, developers and contractors had the opportunity to view the latest interior products and touch and feel the materials they’ve viewed online while specifying for upcoming projects. Manufacturers representatives we available to give expert advice for application and installation of flooring, carpet, VCT, tile, porcelain tile, acoustical products, lighting, contract furnishings, and more.

Exhibitors:  

Bishop Distributing
LightArt
Dwyer Marble & Stone
Davis Corporate Solutions
R.T. Smith Furniture
Wilsonart
Patcraft
Beaver Tile
MDC Interior Solutions

Mackintosh Contract

3form, Inc. presented the continuing ed workshop, Everything Is Acoustic, overview for architects and interior designers. The workshop included a brief history of acoustics, an in-depth look at acoustic applications, and strategic acoustic design case studies. Additionally, the course addressed key acoustic terminology to aid in the process of specifying acoustic projects.

To participate in upcoming Trade Days, contact Doreen Hunter for more information: doreenh@spacelabdetroit.com, or call 313-379-7000.

SpaceLab 2019 Year in Review

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SpaceLab Members and Collaborators are City Designers, Builders and Subject Matter Experts. 

Among our 2019 signature presentations were Build Out to Open: What to do before building your brick and mortar; Ask the Architects and Designers; and Smart Cities, Smart Citizens. Click each presentation title to hear the discussions.

We continue to showcase new and cutting-edge building products and technology solutions.  

Industry leaders deliver presentations and continuing education workshops at our lunch and learns and tech happy hours. Business building workshops include topics such as sales, marketing and social media, and financial planning. See our first event of 2020 >>>

SpaceLab 7Mile opened August 9th!

We collaborated with Detroit Cabinet Manufacturing to create a neighborhood building and coworking hub. National and city leaders helped us cut the ribbon, and architects, contractors, finance professionals and the Detroit Land Bank Authority were on hand to share how to develop property in the city. Story here >>

We value community partnerships and education.

We support STEAM education by sponsoring events with POWEROrg Math and Excel Village; business education with University of Michigan’s Center for Entrepreneurship students; and veteran-owned businesses by hosting Bunker Labs. We spread holiday cheer by donating gifts to Mercado Food Hub and Michigan Foster Care Closet.

Our corporate and industry partnerships and collaborations provide value to our members and the professional community.

Partnerships with companies like Davis Corporate Solutions, Patcraft, Detroit Institute of Bagels, and Sprint bring added value to membership at SpaceLab. We collaborate with industry organizations such as the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), Urban Land Institute Michigan (ULI), National Association of Black Women in Construction (NABWIC), American Institute of Architect Detroit (AIA), Design Core Detroit, Noir Design Parti, and many others to offer programming and events to the professional community.

Our CEO Karen Burton completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program with a dynamic cohort of metro Detroit business owners.

Also, we appeared on CBS Eye on Detroit and the Very Detroit radio show and in Sisters from AARP, The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Model D, and Curbed Detroit. Read how SpaceLab began and Karen’s thoughts on entrepreneurship and diversity and inclusion in design and construction >> (opens in a new tab)”>here >>>

2020 Resolution: Be Connected, Be Credible

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How many time have you heard, “It’s not what you know, but who you know?” Building meaningful business relationships is a priority for growing a sustainable business. Here at SpaceLab, we’re grateful for our dynamic community of established professionals – members who support each other by sharing information, procuring services, and collaborating on projects. We not only build structures, communities and cities; we build lasting relationships.

Currently, all of our private offices are rented, but we still have room to grow. We’re creating new opportunities for membership by building out more offices on our 9th floor. And, we have Flex Desk, Dedicated Desk memberships available. Both desk memberships come with 24/7 secured access to the space and conference room time that does not end when we close the front desk at 6 PM.

Our members are urban infrastructure professionals, and we are looking to complement their services with the following services: Web Development, Social Media Ad Marketing, Small Business Accounting, Graphic Design, Mobility, Commercial Real Estate and Construction Tech, and Smart Building Systems.

Make moving to SpaceLab’s professional community your first decision for growing your business in the new year. We’ll waive the application fee through January 31, 2020. (Apply) If you’re all set with space, but know someone who needs it, refer them and we’ll give you a $25 gift card to one of the great restaurants near our office if they become a member.

To your prosperity!

Karen A.D. Burton, Co-founder and CEO

Bobby Burton, Co-founder and COO