Just drop in
Join in
You do not need to be a member, and you do not need any skills. The labs have open hours every week: walk in, look around, ask questions or work on your own project. That is free. You pay for a workshop, or for the time a machine is running.
Your first visit in three steps
1. Choose an open lab
Explore what you would like to make or discover. No registration is needed for an open lab.
2. Find the next session
Check the date and times in the calendar before you leave.
3. Come in and say hello
Tell a volunteer this is your first visit. No experience or project of your own is needed.
Upcoming open labs
Just drop in
Just drop in
Open labsSee the labs
Just walk in
An open lab is exactly what it says: the lab is open, guides are around, and you decide what you come to do. No registration, no membership, no appointment.
Choose an open lab in the calendar and come along. Take a look, ask a question or work on your own project. The team will help you get started.
All open labs in the calendarWeekly open hours
Every week, no appointment needed.
- High Tech Lab
- Thursday 18:00–22:00Saturday 14:00–18:00
- Graphic Lab
- Thursday 18:00–22:00
- Textile Lab
- Thursday 14:00–16:00 — open sewing studio
- Tool Library
- Thursday 18:00–20:00Saturday 10:00–12:00
- Canteen
- Wednesday 11:00–15:00 (run by HONK)
Holidays and school breaks may differ. The calendar always has the final word.
All open labs in the calendar
PricesAll machines and prices
What does it cost?
Most of what happens here is free. You pay for materials, for the time a machine is running, and for workshops and courses.
Free
- Walking in, looking around and asking questions
- The open hours of the labs
- Help and explanation from the guides
- The certification to use a machine on your own
- The repair cafés and most activities in the calendar
In short: coming by and joining in costs nothing. You only pay once materials or a machine are involved.
What you pay for
- Machine time and materials
- Laser cutting € 0.50 per minute during an open lab, 3D printing € 0.10 per gram of filament. Materials from our stock are charged by use.
- Workshops and courses
- Every workshop has its own price. You will find it with the activity in the calendar, along with how to register.
- Tool library
- € 45 a year. That lets you borrow tools for your home and garden projects all year round.
- Having something repaired
- In the repair hubs experienced repairers do the work for you. Textiles cost € 7 to € 35; for electronics the price depends on the device.
- Coworking and venue hire
- A fixed desk or a room for your own activity. Prices on request.
Every activity in the calendar states what it costs. Not sure whether something fits your budget? Just ask.
Repairing
Something broken? Two routes
A coffee maker that has given up, trousers with a hole: you can learn to repair it yourself here, or have it repaired. Both work at fixed moments — so do not turn up unannounced with a broken device, but check when the next one is.
Repair café — repairing together
About once a month, separately for textiles and for electronics. Volunteers do the repair on your clothes or your device; you bring your item in and watch as it happens. Free or for a small contribution; you pay for parts yourself.
When is the next repair café?Repair hub — having it repaired
A proper repair service: experienced repairers do the work. Bring electronics in during the hub's opening hours — you will find them in the calendar. Textiles you drop off at a collection point in Leuven, costing € 7 to € 35.
Join in
Ways to take part
Besides walking in, there are set ways to take part. Contributing here is not volunteering out of necessity, but the way the place becomes everyone's: you pay in time, talent and shared knowledge.
Workshops and courses
From sewing lessons to electronics: sign up and learn by doing, in a group and with a guide. Price and number of places are listed with the activity.
See the calendarMachine certification
Some machines, such as the laser cutter, can only be used independently after a free certification: a short fifteen-minute test during an open lab. Request it in advance via the contact form.
See the machinesTool library
For € 45 a year you borrow tools for your home and garden projects. You reserve online and collect during the lending hours on Thursday evening or Saturday morning.
More about the tool libraryBecome a volunteer
maakleerplek runs almost entirely on people who help build it: from the canteen team to the repair hubs. Whoever learns today explains tomorrow.
Become a volunteerCoworking space
Looking for a workspace among makers, repairers and artists? The coworking space is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 21:30.
Contact usShare your story
Did you make, repair or learn something here? Tell us. What you make and learn, we document for those who come after you.
Share your storyWorkshops for schools and groups
Bring your class, youth group or team for a workshop on request. Request one through the form and we'll get in touch.
Request a workshopOpens the maakleerplek booking and request portal in a new tab.
Practical
Finding us
- Where
- Stapelhuisstraat 13-15, 3000 Leuven, at the Vaartkom. The canteen is the front door: the one place you can walk into without a reason.
- By bus
- Buses 2, 6 and 30 stop at Vaartkom, a few minutes' walk from the door.
- Accessibility
- There is a lift throughout the building. Questions about accessibility or about what you need? Get in touch beforehand.
- What to bring
- Nothing, unless you bring your own project or something broken. You can buy materials here, and the tools are ready for you.
See you soon?
Check the calendar for what is on this week, or simply drop by during an open hour.