Open Workshop
The open Workingspace named Hansawerkstatt is part of B-Side Kultur Verein - a self-managed, non-profit community project in Münster's central harbour.
Since February 2025 we offer space, tools and expertise to support you to repair broken Items and build new things.
Our regular programme:
wood workshop:
- Free Wood working space, every Wednesday from 3 to 7 pm
- Machine introduction courses, Fridays from 4 to 6 pm
Repair café:
- with coffee and cake, every second Thursday of the month 6 to 7 pm. for small electrical appliances, textiles and wooden objects
Keep yourself updated: here below or in the B-Side Eventcalendar.
Frequently asked Questions
Our Values
- to share knowledge and skills: we attach great importance to imparting new knowledge and manual skills to each other. In this way, we strengthen each other, break down knowledge hierarchies and enable stress-free learning in a pleasant atmosphere. We offer help for
people to help themselves. - Critically questioning power structures and privileges: We look at
social privileges and internalised power structures to actively
counteract them. We are mistakefriendly, but firmly against
marginalisation and discrimination. - Shaping participatory structures: We work according to participative
principles. This means that every collective member can actively
participate in decisions and processes. Every voice counts and
everyone has the opportunity to contribute their ideas and concerns. - WLINTA* empowerment: We create a space in which WLINTA* people can develop their manual skills and strengthen themselves. In doing so, we want to reduce structural inequality in a traditionally male-dominated industry and contribute in dismantling gender stereotypes.
- Consumerism and post-growth: We question the pressure to consume and actively promote sustainability by repairing instead of throwing away and by sharing instead of isolation.
Our Goals
We are aiming to develope a varied programme with a wide range of workshops, theme days and seminars.
Facilities and Equipment we provide:
- A spacious, well-equipped wood workshop
- A smaller room with a well-equipped metal workshop
- Equipment for a bicycle repair programme and a repair café
(electrical, textile, wood)
We plan to cooperate with private and public sponsors, organisations and initiatives who are working on social and ecological change, such as schools, youth facilities, non profit association, lokal groups and charity societies.
It will also be possible to rent the Workshop for individual days.
How it all began
The idea of the open Workingspace "Hansawerkstatt", originated from a citizens' initiative that was founded as part of https://hansaforum-muenster.de and was financially supported by it.
- Initially, the premises in the old B-Side building, ‘Hillspeicher’ at the harbour, were used to work, build, exchange and develop together as an informal group of craft enthusiasts, nerds and punks.
- In 2021, the Hansawerkstatt collective officially
became part of the non-profit association B-Side Kultur e.V. and
moved together with many other initiatives from the building at the
harbour to the interim use at Hawerkamp. A small workshop was set up there, which unfortunately was never able to open for fire safety
reasons. The focus was therefore on setting up the open workingspace
in the future new premises. - In 2024, HW finally moved to the new B-Side building
in Münster central harbour. Since then, the Hansawerkstatt
collective has been busy setting up and developing the new
workshopspace. - Since mid-2024, two part-time positions are
established to relieve the workload on the volunteer collective and
ensure continuous maintenance for the workshop programme and the
administration of the project. - In the second half of 2024, workshops were held in
Hansawerkstatt as part of the construction work for the B Side
furniture, which were organised and carried out by the Interior
working group. These were open to the public, for people with and
without previous knowledge. - Since February 2025, Hansawerkstatt has opened its doors and offers events for the public.
You are very welcome to participate
If you would like to join us to establish the Hansawerkstatt, then
come along to the next newcomers' meeting. These take place
irregularly.
You can find out the dates below or under Events.
Any questions? Please contact us via email:
What else is going on in Hansawerkstatt? Keep youself updated:
You want to support Hansawerkstatt? Please donate here:
Thank you for your support!
Events
Here you can find all events related to Hansawerkstatt.
WLINTA*: Women, lesbian, intersex, non-binary, trans and agender People. The * stands for all the diverse, colourful and creative gender identities beyond the mentioned ones.