Our Space

A space built for big ideas

STEAM is a space for radical collaboration and the manifestation of big visions. Our 12,000 sq ft facility is located a short distance from campus at the River Arts Makers Place (RAMP), 821 Riverside Dr. Suite 140. The Studio is comprised of a state-of-the-art wood shop, machine shop, welding fabrication bay, 3,800 sq ft configurable workspace, and a mezzanine-level computer lab/classroom. We have water jet cutting, CNC machining, CNC routers, laser cutting, and 3D printing in addition to a myriad of hand tools and standard shop machines.

By The Numbers
Configuration & Customization
Policies & Procedures

12 k

sq feet facility at River Arts Makers Place

5 +

disciplines served:

Science, Art, Engineering, Music & More

7 +

active courses across departments each semester

Configurable Space

3,800 square feet of STEAM studio are designated as configurable space, where all the furniture and work benches are on wheels to easily reconfigure it as a classroom, a project space, or completely clear it out for events for up to 120 people. If you would like to inquire about using STEAM’s configurable space for an event, send an email to steamstudio@unca.edu with details about your event.

Machine/Fabrication Shop

Our Machine shop consists of both manual machines and CNC Machines for processing metals, plastics, and other materials.

Wood Shop

Our wood shop is filled with traditional woodworking tools with the addition of some industrial workhorses like a 24″ bandsaw, 25″ planer and 36″ wide belt sander. We also have digital tools including an 8’x5′ CNC router and a smaller desktop model from ShopBot.

Policies & Procedures

UNC Asheville’s STEAM Studio maintains a strong foundation of safety, accountability, and hands-on learning through clearly defined policies and standard operating procedures. These resources outline expectations for studio access, proper conduct, and required safety practices, while also providing step-by-step guidance for using equipment and tools effectively. Together, they ensure that students, faculty, and staff can confidently engage in creative work while developing technical skills in a structured, well-supported environment.

Transportation to STEAM Studio

Drive (or carpool) and park in one of three lots, two of which are free! We are also on the Shuttle Blue Route that runs from 7:30 am through 5 pm Mondays through Fridays during Fall and Spring semesters. The Evening Shuttle route operates Monday-Friday, 5 – 10 p.m. and services all Red and Blue stops as well as the CVS & Harris Teeter plaza on Merrimon Ave. The Evening Shuttle route is no longer a call-in service and is a ~30 minute route.

Learn More: Shuttles

STEAM Studio Calendar

View Studio Calendar

Open Studio Hours:
Mon – Thu 1 – 8 PM, Fri 1 – 3 PM
Saturdays by appointment only

Fab Night Workshops coming soon

Schedule an appointment with Studio Staff

Choose a staff member below to find a time that works for you.

Sara Sanders STEAM Studio Director	Book appointment
Jacob Misch, PhD STEAM Studio & Performing Arts Technician	Book appointment
Chas Llewellyn STEAM Studio Design Specialist	Book appointment