Stories

Discover the stories of makers, projects and community members who bring maakleerplek to life.

Did you also make, repair or learn something here?

Visit us during VOKA Open Businessday on October 4th

28 September 2026 · Sydney

We are not really a company, but we are a breeding ground for many companies. An informal learning place where entrepreneurship more than once proves to be the logical next step. During VOKA Open Business Day we tell our stories.

Vacancy

Vacancy: High Tech Lab Coordinator

25 September 2026 · maakleerplek vzw

High Tech Lab is looking for a part-time coordinator.

General

This was maakleerfest!

24 September 2026 · Sydney

Hundreds of people came by maakleerplek to get to know the places of LLES (Leuven Learning Ecosystem)

Makers & projects

From a vision to a 34-metre Temple

23 September 2026 · Jan Loenders, ontwerper

In High Tech Lab, Jan Loenders built a scale model of his Temple: from a 20-centimetre PLA model to a 90-centimetre CNC-milled MDF model. That model no longer exists, but Jan hopes to build the design one day in Leuven, with a diameter of 34 metres, in wood, stone and glass.

Makers & projects

Six Years of Persistence: From Zero Knowledge to the Battlebot Arena in Eindhoven

18 September 2026 · Erwan Vercruysse, maker en vrijwilliger

When Erwan Vercruysse first walked into the Young Makers Lab (YML), he knew nothing about robots. Six years later, he stood in the arena with a self-designed fighting machine during a pro competition in Eindhoven.

Makers & projects

From a Viral Video to a CNC Machine in the High Tech Lab

15 September 2026 · Tom, vrijwilliger High Tech Lab

Stan got a Carvera Air CNC milling machine after his YouTube video went viral. Together with Ibe and Thomas, he works on drones in the High Tech Lab and uses the machine for their start-up Incutec.

Workshop

Graphic Lab summer camps: registration open

19 June 2026 · Maakleerplek

Artist and teacher Pina Geyskens leads three-day summer camps in photography and printing for children aged 8–13. Sign up for individual days or for all three.

Workshop

1–3 July: Young Maker Days — Antweight Robot Hackathon

29 May 2026 · Maakleerplek

Build your own robot in the High Tech Lab during the Young Maker Days on 1, 2 and 3 July. The hackathon is for ages 12–16, with a competition on the final evening.

Community

Partner in the picture: Foodatelier César and Alvinnenberg vzw

12 May 2026 · Maakleerplek

Every Thursday, Foodatelier César and Alvinnenberg prepare food together at maakleerplek. Their shared kitchen brings people together around healthy food.

Event

Visit maakleerplek on Herbestemmingsdag

7 May 2026 · Maakleerplek

On 31 May 2026, maakleerplek takes part in Herbestemmingsdag: a day devoted to giving buildings, materials and resources a new purpose.

Event

Where history makes the future — Leuven Heritage Days at maakleerplek

17 March 2026 · Maakleerplek

Schools can explore the heritage site of the Molens van Orshoven during the Heritage Days. Guided tours are available for the final two years of primary school and for secondary schools.

Education

LLES GO ARGO: a neighbourhood project bringing people together at the Vaartkom

24 February 2026 · Maakleerplek

Young people and students are giving the thirty-year-old ARGO lifeboat a new future as an electrically powered place to meet on the water.