For general hackerspace design patterns, see the Hackerspaces.org design patterns.
Patterns
Borders
Feminism acknowledges structural oppression exists in society now. Creating a space with less oppression requires borders between the space and society at large. Access to the community - both its physical space and online community - needs to be access-controlled.
Physical security: multiple levels of physical security are good, don't have a door that opens directly to the street.
Safe neighborhood
Use crime maps to evaluate. Narcotics arrests are a good proxy for street harassment of women.
Transit
Public transit, parking, bike lanes and parking, and walking
Accessibility
Elevator, bathroom. Full ADA accessibility is not always easy to find at a price you can afford but often you can get pretty close by negotiating with the landlord for extra keys, small remodels, etc.
Women-only
Only women can be members of the hackerspace. People of other genders and ages may or may not be welcome as guests.
Pros:
It is often difficult to create and sustain a women-centered organization when people of other genders are included, in particular because many of us are socialized from birth to pay more attention to and value (white) men's voices over everyone else's. Not having men as members prevents
Cons:
Often geeky women have little experience with women-only spaces that are welcoming for them and assume a women-only space would be similarly uncomfortable. This may be in part because it is difficult to experience an in-person women-only group of women with similar interests if you are geeky due to the low density of geek women in many geographical areas.
Examples:
Women and friends
The space is designed as women-centered, but people of all genders are welcome as members.
Examples:
Crowd funding
Successful campaigns launch on a Monday or Tuesday.
Fiscal sponsorship
Community assets
From the very very beginning, don't put community infrastructure on personal computer accounts. Share passwords between at least 3 people.
Leave the space clean
Establish strong community norms of always cleaning up after yourselves before leaving the space. Exceptions for long-running projects need to be made clearly and with specific rules. The space should make cleaning intuitive: clearly labeled trash, recycling, dish storage, where to wash
Clutter is an accessiblity issue