Community workshop – The Owl’s Nest

Rest, atmosphere and house rules

At The Owl’s Nest we want people to be able to work comfortably: without stress, without hassle, and without the feeling that you always need to stay on guard. That is why we deliberately keep the workshop small-scale and work as much as possible by appointment, or at moments when the LED sign at the door (“Welcome, we’re open”) is on at the Paul Krugerstraat location. This helps keep the atmosphere calm and makes space for people who specifically need a low-stimulus place.

Are you specifically looking for a quiet workspace to rebuild, recover, or find your rhythm again? Then also see Rest and recovery. There we explain in more detail how we work in a low-stimulus way and what you can expect.

Keeping the workshop calm

We try to prevent the workshop from feeling like a busy shop or a walk-through space. That is why:

• we preferably work in half-day blocks (morning, afternoon, or evening) by appointment;
• drop-in at Paul Krugerstraat is mainly meant for stopping by for coffee or tea, catching up, getting acquainted, doing something small, or discussing a plan;
• for larger projects we ask you to coordinate in advance, so we can keep enough calm and space;
• we take concentration seriously: not noise everywhere at once, and not “just popping in” everywhere at once.

It can happen that someone is not always present. If you want to avoid finding a closed door, calling ahead is helpful.

House rules

We deliberately keep the rules simple. They are not there to be strict, but to keep things safe and pleasant for everyone.

• Work sober. No alcohol or drugs in the workshop, and do not work under the influence. An exception is prescribed medication that can affect reaction time, alertness, or coordination (in the Netherlands this often includes medicines with a yellow or red warning sticker, for example oxazepam or diazepam, some antidepressants such as mirtazapine, and strong painkillers such as tramadol, oxycodone, buprenorphine, or codeine). If you use such medication, we always coordinate briefly so we can decide together how to do the work safely and what level of guidance fits.
• Respect each other. We take each other’s pace, focus, and boundaries seriously.
• Keep the space calm. Phone calls and conversations should not pull others out of their focus.
• Coordinate heavier work. Check in before you use heavier machines, spark-producing work, or complex setups.

We are not a place for large-scale production or noisy assembly-line work. Individual projects, small batches, repairs, and experiments are exactly what fits.

Safety always comes first

In a workshop, mistakes usually happen when someone is rushed, too tired, or does not feel safe asking a question. That is why we work with clear agreements: for higher-risk machines and activities we do it together, or under guidance. This applies, for example, to the table saw, band saw, lathes, and welding.

We also ask you to be honest about what you can handle. If something is new to you, that is not a problem. We build it up calmly, with explanations and an approach that fits you.

Behaviour and boundaries

We want to be a place where people can land and rebuild, even when life is heavy. At the same time, we must be able to guarantee safety in the space. That is why we cannot work in situations where there is uncontrolled aggressive behaviour, or when someone cannot safely participate at that moment due to a severe, active addiction. In those cases we would rather think along about a different route, or coordinate via a care provider or support worker.

Do you struggle with overstimulation, panic, grief, burnout, or unresolved trauma? That can fit very well, especially if you benefit from a quiet workspace, clear steps, and a safe setting. Read more about that on Rest and recovery.

Accessibility and layout

The Paul Krugerstraat workshop is on the ground floor. In the standard setup there is not always enough room to turn safely with a wheelchair everywhere. If you let us know in advance that you are coming with a wheelchair or walker, we can adjust the layout so you can reach your workspace comfortably and the walkways remain safe.

The Spaarndamseweg location is by appointment (partly due to the locking requirements of the central hall). Which space fits best depends on your plan, the level of calm you need, and the occupancy. An overview of locations can be found on Locations.

Want to coordinate briefly?