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Everyone can learn to make
Open studios, workshops and repair spaces at Leuven’s Vaartkom.
Stapelhuisstraat 13–15, LeuvenAddress and open sessions
What is maakleerplek?
In the former Molens van Orshoven, neighbours, artists and organisations share tools and knowledge. Work on your own project, learn a technique or repair something with a volunteer.
By 2030, Leuven wants a maximum of 85 kg of residual waste per resident. Every appliance repaired here instead of thrown away counts towards that.
CalendarFull calendar
The next 7 days at the place
21Mon
22Tue
23Wed
24Thu
- 14:00–16:00Open sewing studioOpen Lab · TextielLab · Just walk in
- 18:00–20:00Tool Library open! (+ open work studio)Open Lab · Gereedschappenbib · Just walk in
- 18:00–22:00Open graphic labOpen Lab · Grafisch Lab · Just walk in
- 18:00–22:00Open (High Tech) Lab on ThursdayOpen Lab · High Tech Lab · Just walk in
25Fri
26Sat
27Sun
registerjust walk inCheck registration details
For whomDiscover everything
What can you do here?
Find an activity that suits you. Each option explains where to go and how to join.
Makers & residents
Work on your own project in the open labs, borrow tools or repair your things.
Schools & young people
Workshops, project days and the Young Maker Lab: learning beyond the classroom.
Volunteers
Help out in the labs, the neighbourhood bar or the odd-jobs team and strengthen the community.
Businesses & organisations
Team building, prototyping and collaborations around sustainability and innovation.
LabsAll labs
Our labs
Textile Lab
Sustainable textile workspace for anyone who wants to work with fabric and clothing: from sewing classes and visible mending to knitting, crocheting and the annual Repair Café.
Graphic Lab
Informal meeting and learning space for photo-graphics, run by artists and volunteers. With screen printing, riso printing, etching press, photo studio and (soon) a darkroom.
High Tech Lab
Open and inclusive makerspace focused on circular material innovation: laser cutter, 3D printers, CNC machines and plastic recycling. Volunteer-led and for all ages.
StoryAll stories
Makers & projects18 September 2026
Six Years of Persistence: From Zero Knowledge to the Battlebot Arena in Eindhoven
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.
Read the story
Practical
Just want to walk in?
Start at the canteen or the summer bar in the courtyard. Check the open sessions before visiting a lab. You do not need experience to come and take a look.
Address
Stapelhuisstraat 13-15, 3000 LeuvenGetting here
Buses 2, 6 and 30 stop nearby (Vaartkom stop). There is a lift throughout the building.
Regular open hours
- Textile Lab
- Thursday 14:00–16:00 — open sewing studio
- Graphic Lab
- Thursday 18:00–21:30
- High Tech Lab
- Thursday 18:00–22:00Saturday 14:00–18:00
- Tool Library
- Thursday 18:00–20:00Saturday 10:00–12:00
- Canteen
- Wednesday 11:00–15:00 (run by HONK)