NExT LAB
Technology x Design
Resources & Services
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1. Training
Complete training and inductions to access NExT Lab resources and technologies.
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2. Knowledge Base
Our always-evolving collection of guides, tutorials and curated resources.
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3. Consultation
Discuss with one of our technicians for any assistance or guidance.
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3D Print Farm [FabLab]
3D Printing has a new home at the FabLab!
Teaching & Academia
Turning ideas into applied outcomes
The NExT Lab Accelerator supports academics to translate ideas into teaching outcomes, research impact, and real-world application through access to advanced technologies, expertise, and structured project development.
We work at the intersection of design, technology, and the built environment—helping you move from concept to implementation in a way that is rigorous, supported, and aligned with your academic goals.
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The NExT Lab Accelerator is a faculty-supported initiative designed to:
- Integrate emerging technologies into Teaching & Learning
- Enable scholarly work and research translation
- Provide structured support for project development and delivery
- Act as a bridge between academic ideas and applied outcomes
It is not just a facility—it is a support model that combines technical capability, project guidance, and academic alignment.
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The NExT Lab Accelerator represents a reframing and structuring of work already taking place within the NExT Lab, rather than the creation of an entirely new function.
The NExT Lab has progressively taken on an informal role supported teaching, research, and early-stage innovation through technical expertise, project collaboration, and applied experimentation. These activities have demonstrated clear value, but often been accessed in informal or ad hoc ways.
The Accelerator formalises this existing capability by:
- Providing clearer definition of services and support
- Making access pathways more transparent and consistent
- Establishing shared expectations around prioritisation and resourcing
- Enabling better communication of capability to Faculty and external partners
This reframing improves visibility, coordination, and impact—without requiring a fundamental shift in direction.
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The Accelerator is designed for academics who:
- Want to integrate new technologies into their subjects or studios
- Are exploring ideas that could lead to research outputs or grants
- Need support to scope, test, or develop a project
- Are interested in applied, demonstrable outcomes
- Want to experiment—but in a structured and supported way
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Support to embed technology into your subject in ways that meaningfully contribute to learning outcomes.
This can include:
- Development of subject-specific content
- Integration into assessable components
- Demonstrations or workshops (where appropriate)
- Support for new or complex technologies
The focus is on moving beyond demonstration toward meaningful educational impact.
2. Research & Scholarly Work
Support to translate ideas into recognised academic outputs, including:
- Grant applications and project development
- Exhibitions and installations
- Journal articles and conference papers
- Pilot projects that can scale into larger research initiatives
The Accelerator helps bridge the gap between early-stage ideas and formal scholarly work.
3. Project Scoping & Development
Structured support to help define and shape your idea:
- Initial consultation and feasibility discussions
- Project scoping and alignment with academic goals
- Budget development (including grant support)
- Identification of appropriate technologies and methods
This ensures projects are well-defined, achievable, and aligned with faculty priorities.
4. Access to Technology & Expertise
Access to emerging technologies and technical support, including:
- Advanced digital workflows and fabrication processes
- Large-scale 3D capture and emerging spatial technologies
- Prototyping and testing environments
- Specialist technical guidance
Support is tailored to the needs and ambition of the project.
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The NExT Lab Accelerator is designed to support early-stage ideas through in-kind support, and then contribute to the delivery of projects through grant or other funding—ensuring projects are appropriately resourced as they develop.
In-kind support is provided for early stages, including:
- Initial consultations
- Project scoping and feasibility
- Budget development and funding strategy
This enables academics to explore and define opportunities without upfront cost.
As projects progress, further development and delivery is funded through:
- External grant funding (with support provided for applications), or
- Successful application to NExT Lab Seed Funding
This approach ensures that projects are:
- Well-defined before investment
- Aligned with clear outcomes
- Supported through appropriate funding pathways
The NExT Lab team works with you to identify the most suitable funding route and support applications where required.
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Step 1 — Initial Conversation
- Start with a discussion about your idea, subject, or research direction
- In-kind support
Step 2 — Scoping & Alignment
- Define the opportunity, scope the project, and align it with teaching or research outcomes
- In-kind support
Step 3 — Project Development
- Develop content, prototypes, or project frameworks
- Depending on the scale of development required, fee-for-service cost recovery may apply
Step 4 — Delivery
- Project is delivered within your subject, research program, or as a standalone output
- NExT Lab support is funded through grant budgets established in earlier stages
Step 5 — Extension
- Projects extend into scholarly outputs, grants, or ongoing research
- Further supported through additional grants or Seed Funding where required
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You don’t need a fully resolved proposal.
You can come with:
- A rough idea or concept
- A subject you want to evolve
- A research direction you want to explore
- A problem you want to test or investigate
The Accelerator is designed to help you shape and develop this into something actionable.
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- Academic-first: Aligned to teaching and research outcomes—not just technology for its own sake
- Structured support: Clear pathways from idea → project → outcome
- Applied focus: Emphasis on demonstrable, real-world outputs
- Scalable impact: Projects designed to extend into broader research or curriculum integration
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To start, simply reach out for an initial discussion.
- Book a consultation
- Submit an idea or expression of interest
- Speak with the NExT Lab team
From there, we’ll help determine the best pathway forward.
NExT Lab Accelerator
Supporting academics to explore, test, and realise ideas—with the tools, structure, and expertise to turn them into meaningful outcomes.
Complete the training or inquire to get access and organise loans through the Loans Desk.
If you require assistance, check our knowledge base or book in a consultation.
Loans Desk Services & Resources
New & Upcoming
Open Access large format (600x600x600mm) 3D printer.
Digitise small to medium objects into coloured and textured mesh geometry.
Accessible terrestial scanner for larger spaces and environments.
Precise terrestial scanner for larger spaces and environments.
Digitise large environments and landscapes from the the air.
3D Printer with an IDEX system, for dual-material prints or simultaneous printing.
Ongoing
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Digitise small to medium objects into coloured and textured mesh geometry.
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Accessible 3D scanning method that uses a series of 2D photos to generate 3D data.
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Overlay digital information over the physical world for fabrication or visualisation.
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Interact with immersive virtual environments, used for visualisations and experiences.
3D Printing @ FabLab
The FDM 3D Print Farm and Open Access services have a new home at the FabLab.
Projects & Research
Workshops & Events
Past Events
Come by any time we are open if you have any quick or general questions - for more involved assistance or discussions, please consider taking a look at our knowledge base or booking a consultation so we can allot a time for you.
Knowledge Base
Consultation
The New Experimental Technology Lab (NExT Lab) is a technology-focused makerspace. We are your introduction to new disruptive technologies in design, providing hands-on access, support and resources to learn and integrate these technologies into your design projects.
Whether you are a designer, researcher or inventor, technology is rapidly shaping our future industries, so join the NExT Lab in exploring technology & design.
We currently support a variety of 3D Scanning, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technologies and workflows.
Along with the rest of the Makerspaces, this space and our resources are accessible to all of the University of Melbourne. Students & Researchers of all levels can access our resources by completing our training. We are open to collaboration and subject integrations with Teaching & Academics.
Our Supporters
Blum - Bringing the NExT Lab to life
Blum is proud to support the next generation of architecture, building and design students through the NExT Lab. Fundamental to Blum’s success is a focus on the latest technology and innovation, inspiring invention and fostering the future of design. Blum were therefore the perfect partner to help bring the NExT Lab to life. Featured in the NExT Lab is Blum’s AVENTOS HL equipped with SERVO-DRIVE electrical opening support system. 3D printing equipment is hidden by an expansive surface of mirrors and access to the equipment is easy and convenient with the mirrored fronts of the “Magic Box” opening as if by themselves with just a touch and close with a press of a button.
If you would like to know more about the Blum range check out their website www.blum.com
Need enrolment assistance?
Stop 1 provides enrolment and other support to Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Environments and Melbourne School of Design students.