"Brattleboro’s Oddball–Maker–STEM–Play–Hangout Space"
After careers in design—and now raising a family here in Vermont—we found ourselves looking for a welcoming indoor space where our daughter could build, experiment, and stay curious, especially during long winters. We wanted something hands-on and creative for ourselves, too.
So we started with cardboard: humble, forgiving, recyclable, abundant, and surprisingly powerful. With the right tools and a little imagination, a simple box can become almost anything—and experimenting doesn’t have to be intimidating.
When we opened Corrugated Universe in April 2026, we said, “We're letting the community decide what this space will be.” Six months in, we can say the community decided. We’re a creative space for oddballs (being a bit of one myself, I get it)—people who like making, playing with technology, making it up as we go, and trying to remember that failing is part of the fun.
Now we’re expanding what’s possible. Cardboard isn’t going anywhere; we’re just adding brains and moving parts. Micro:bit and Hummingbird circuit boards, motors, sensors, lights and visual programming are opening the door to new ways to build, experiment and play.
The universe is expanding.
We believe shared making is better
You can build with cardboard at home — and you should. In fact, all the tools we use here are available for purchase. But something changes when making is shared.
Here, kids build alongside other kids with safe tools, guidance, and inspiration all around them. Ideas spread. Confidence grows. Individual builds become collective stories.
For grownups, it’s a rare chance to slow down, unplug, and be fully present in a community that values curiosity, play, and building together.
Community driven. Independently run.
We’re an L3C, our goal isn’t to extract profit from every visit; it’s to make creative space accessible, sustainable, and community-centered. Memberships, classes, and events simply keep the lights on, the tools sharp, and the cardboard & tech flowing. We reinvest in better equipment, better programming, and opportunities for more families and makers to participate—because the mission comes first.
Location
Located on Main Street in downtown Brattleboro, near several municipal parking lots.
Our address
61 Main Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301