Craft Workshop in Munich: Mastering DIY Skills for Enthusiasts
Do-It-Yourself Atelier in Munich: A Haven for Creative Hands
By: Susanne Stockmann
Feeling the Need to Get Dirty
Sick of drilling, smashing, or reupholstering at home? Head over to Munich's Do-It-Yourself Atelier at the East Station and dive into a world of creativity, DIY projects, and a sense of accomplishment like never before! Established as a prototype workshop over 37 years ago, this unique creative haven continues to thrive in our technologically-driven, modern times.
Helping Hands
"Many people work from home, spending their days in front of a computer screen. What better way to unwind than to ditch the screens and get your hands dirty in one of our workshops?" says director Benedikt Steinbach. Picture this: communications designer Christoph Gremmer building a stool or side table out of leftover woods, or Adi Kling sanding a candle holder as the 84-year-old former locksmith and trained steel constructor has been doing for the last 30 years.
You're Invited
"Everyone is welcome," asserts Steinbach. Whether you're a seasoned DIY pro or just starting out, the Do-It-Yourself Atelier is eager to accommodate you. The workshops for woodworking, metalworking, jewelry making, ceramics, and working with textiles and paper stretch across the building, from the basement to the first floor, with a cafeteria serving as a central gathering hub for breaks, events such as exhibitions or the philosophical café.
Time's Yours
Spaces in the workshops can be rented on an hourly basis. "If you're working on a project but need some assistance, you can visit during the times when an expert advisor is available," says Steinbach. "If you're interested in learning basic techniques like planing, sawing, or using grinding or lathe machines, you can sign up for a course."
DIY Dream Team
Currently, six participants are refining their upholstery projects under the watchful guidance of Antje Oehmichen in the textile workshop on the first floor. Bring your chair or armchair for a multi-week transformation, and watch as Antje offers expert advice, teaches you the ins and outs of a sewing machine, and helps you master cutting a chair cover to fit - whether it's a velvet-shell cocktail chair, a worn-out children's stool, or a motorcycle seat with attitude.
Here's to Clay and Beyond
Nestled in the basement are the ceramics and jewelry workshops. Hand building techniques like slab building, pinching, and coiling will help you create your very own plates or mugs. And if kneading clay isn't your thing, why not focus on creating stunning pieces of jewelry? Enthusiasts can even reserve a workspace for their metal- or goldsmithing projects at effective half prices.
Expanding Horizons
In the near future, Benedikt Steinbach intends to expand the atelier, offering new and innovative workshops in areas such as graffiti art, DJ performance, electronic music production, and filmmaking. Upcoming workshops include a film workshop scheduled for July. The ultimate goal is to spark curiosity and encourage newcomers to try their hand at something new, while keeping the essence of the original DIY spirit alive.
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Pricing and Availability
While there are no specific DIY house courses available, construction workshops might be found at local architecture or engineering schools. Costs for such specialized courses will vary depending on project scope, materials required, and the expertise of the instructors.
Other Workshops
- Hand-Building Ceramics Workshop (costs and details not specified)
- Pottery Course in Munich North (3-hour workshop, glasses and materials included, location Neufahrn bei Freising)
- Techno and Paint Workshop (workshop with creative painting experience, hosted by Kreativstudio München)
For DIY enthusiasts seeking artistic outlets, alternative workshops are available in a variety of formats. Many of these workshops, such as hand-building ceramics and painting, offer creative experiences unrelated to house construction but might still pique your curiosity.
- Dive into a new lifestyle by exploring the hand-building ceramics workshop at Do-It-Yourself Atelier, where you can create your own plates or mugs and expand your home-and-garden decor with unique pieces.
- Escape the routine of your home-office lifestyle and discover a sense of achievement in the home-and-garden domain by trying one of the DIY workshops at the Do-It-Yourself Atelier, such as wooden furniture making or metalworking, and reconnect with a life of manual creativity.
