IRL2 Celebrates Grand Opening

Oct. 3, 2019

DePaul celebrated the grand opening of the IRL2, the university's newest makerspace, on Friday, Sept. 27. Located in the Schmitt Academic Center, the IRL2 aim to serve the creative and educational needs of the LPC community by providing the opportunity to learn by doing.

Among the many resources available to students, faculty and staff, the IRL2 houses 3-D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines and woodworking tools. Read more about the space in Newsline.

A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph. D., president of DePaul, delivers remarks at the event. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)

Jay Margalus, faculty director for the Idea Realization Labs, welcomes guests, faculty, staff and students to the IRL2 grand opening. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)

Bins containing a variety of supplies, tools and accessories are neatly stacked and ready to be "made" into some creative project or idea. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)

A button maker is among the many tools available in the IRL2, DePaul's newest makerspace on the Lincoln Park Campus. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)

The IRL2 provides training to faculty, staff and students so they can safely use the wood cutting tools available in the space. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)

Fashionistas will be able to craft and create their own apparel in the IRL2 with the available sewing machines. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)

Left to right, Haley Sullivan, lab manager of IRL2; Remy Doornebos, lab moderator of IRL2; Terri Steinbach, associate dean of the College of Computing and Digital Media, A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph. D., president of DePaul; Josephine Esteban, wife of President Esteban; Thomas Newsome, lab manager of IRL; and Megan Moore, lab moderator of IRL2. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)

The IRL2 boasts several laser cutters and 3-D printers which are available to students, faculty and staff. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)

Faculty, staff and students celebrate the grand opening DePaul's newest makerspace, dubbed the IRL2, located on the Lincoln Park Campus. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)

Is it real or 3-D? The IRL2 celebration cake removes any doubt at the grand opening event held in the Schmitt Academic Center on the Lincoln Park Campus. (DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)