Community workshop – The Owl’s Nest

Making and repairing

Sometimes you want to build something, but you don’t have the space at home. Sometimes you want to repair something, but you’re missing that one tool, or you just need someone to take a quick look with you. And sometimes you simply want to do something with your hands, because it makes your head quieter.

The Owl’s Nest is a community workshop in Haarlem North. In plain terms: an open workshop with benches, tools and guidance. No studio or unit rental. No memberships or punch cards. You can drop in when the welcome sign is on, or you can make an appointment if you want to be sure there is time and space.

What do we mean by “open workshop”?

Open does not mean “anything goes, any time”. It does mean: you don’t have to commit or become a member, you’re welcome to work on your own project, and you don’t have to figure it all out alone. We do it together where that helps, and we explain what we’re doing. You keep the lead on your project; we help you keep it doable and safe.

Most repairs start the same way: look, measure, think. What does it do? What does it not do? Where is the real problem, and what is only a symptom? Once you get used to that, repairing becomes less of a gamble and more of a skill.

Are you mainly looking for art and crafts? Then Art and crafts often fits better. Do you need a low-stimulus setting and want to build things up slowly? Then also see Rest and recovery.

Guidance and safety

Tools are great, but they are also serious. A saw, a grinder, or even a drill does not care whether you meant “quick” or “careful”. That’s why we work step by step. We explain how to do something safely, how to clamp your work, and why some moves are not “handy” but simply dangerous.

You don’t need experience to start. We do ask that you are open to explanation, and that you accept the pace that safe work requires. That is not strictness for its own sake. It’s the foundation that keeps an open workshop open.

Workshops and learning

Do you want to learn something new with a clear structure? Then workshops are often the easiest way in. You get explanation, you practice, you can ask questions, and you go home with something you actually understand. Sometimes in a small group, sometimes one-on-one.

See the offer on Workshops. Don’t see your topic listed, but still want to learn? Then you can make an appointment and we’ll explore what a good first step is.

Car DIY (short, practical, by appointment)

Car DIY is part of making and repairing here. Not as a “garage”, but as a learning place: doing maintenance, tracking down a fault, replacing a part, understanding what you see and why you approach it the way you do.

We have a workspace with a (small) lift and tools. We help with diagnostics and repairs such as maintenance, fault finding and replacing parts. We do the job together, or we explain while you do it. Because this takes more space and coordination, car DIY is by appointment.

Do you have a project car (like our Bozuki project car), or do you simply want to learn how to do your own maintenance safely? Then this is a good place to learn it calmly and properly.

Practical: when, where, what it costs

We are open in principle from 09:00 to 17:00.

• Paul Krugerstraat:

  drop-in is possible when the welcome sign is on. Calling ahead is sometimes helpful, especially if you want to bring something to the workshop.

• Spaarndamseweg:

  always by appointment (because the doors of the central hall must remain closed).

Guideline prices (indicative): dropping in is free, coffee and tea are free. For using the space for a small project we use € 30 per half-day. For longer projects we agree on a fitting contribution together. Workshops are usually € 50 per person. We work with a contribution based on what you can afford. No memberships, no punch cards.

Capacity (physically present at the same time) is, as a baseline: 4 people at Paul Krugerstraat, 6 people at Spaarndamseweg, and 2 people at the office. Ongoing projects can temporarily reduce that space.

Not sure if your project fits?

Many people first think: “It’s probably too simple” or “It’s probably too complicated”. Usually the real answer is in the first ten minutes: show what you want to do, estimate together what it takes, and then shrink the project until it becomes doable.

You can drop in when the welcome sign is on. If you want to be sure there is time to look calmly and make a plan, make an appointment. Would you rather contribute as a volunteer and share knowledge? See Volunteers. Are you a professional looking to coordinate around a trajectory? Then go to For professionals.