Doorspace: An incubator for creativity and circular innovation in Maastricht

Located in the vibrant heart of Maastricht, Doorspace is the city's newest makerspace, filled with creativity, innovation and a progressive approach to circularity. Led by the artistic minds of Toine Meisters and Sebastian Costa, Doorspace offers not only access to cutting-edge machinery, but also a place together for learning, knowledge sharing and high-quality innovation.

The origins of Doorspace are deeply rooted in the diverse backgrounds of its founders, and the story begins at Qeske Maastricht, a vibrant incubator for start-ups and innovation. It was here that the concept of Doorspace was born and given room to grow.

Toine, with a career in furniture and interior design, joined forces with Sebastian, an Italian architect and artistic assistant. Together they transformed the original idea of a simple workshop into a large-scale vision: a makerspace where accessibility, collaboration and sustainability come together seamlessly.

Sebastian explains: "When I came to Maastricht, I brought my experience in architecture and prototyping with me. Together with Mark Hagen, we founded a CNC manufacturing company and gradually expanded the idea of a makerspace with support from municipal grants. Our mission is to make high-quality machines accessible to everyone; whether you are a hobbyist, small entrepreneur or innovator looking to make an impact."

Doorspace is built on three pillars: accessibility to machines, learning and skill development, and collaborative innovation. It's a place where you can bring your ideas to life, whether that means experimenting with woodworking, mastering CNC techniques, or learning how to upcycle plastic waste.

"Accessibility is key," says Toine. "We want everyone to feel welcome here and have the opportunity to discover new techniques without barriers. At the same time, we strive for high-quality innovation to keep pace with industry standards. We work with municipalities and other partners to improve our offerings."

Circularity is not a buzzword at Doorspace, but a guiding principle. Through workshops and collaborations with companies such as Precious Plastic and Arapaha, the makerspace focuses on sustainable design methods and reuse of materials. Sebastian explains: "We will offer workshops on recycling and upcycling materials, such as sorting and processing plastic into new shapes with our heat press. It's all about practical knowledge that enables people to make environmentally conscious choices."

There is also a plan to integrate bio-based materials into product lines and establish collaborative projects that demonstrate sustainable production methods. The approach is both direct, by teaching and demonstrating circular practices, and indirect, by giving people the tools to make more sustainable choices in their designs.

Doorspace is working with institutions such as Textile Innovation Maastricht (TIM) and regional entities to become a pillar of innovation in Limburg. But the ambition extends further. Toine and Sebastian dream of an ecosystem in which makers and innovators work side by side, supported by an outdoor space with containers for design studios and business incubators.

"Looking forward, I see Doorspace as a place where the impossible seems possible; a place without boundaries, where creativity and high-quality innovation come together," Toine says. "I want this to be a makerspace where solutions are always being found, where people come to be inspired and inspire others."

Sebastian adds: "I envision a community of designers and entrepreneurs using our machines and collaborating in a constantly evolving environment. It's about creating a village of ideas, where everything comes together, from marketing to manufacturing, to bring concepts to life."

For those facing the challenges of sustainability and innovation, Toine and Sebastian have this advice: "Don't let limits or the fear of failure limit you. Sometimes ideas develop into unexpected but brilliant solutions," Toine says. Sebastian emphasizes, "If you believe in something, don't be discouraged by skeptics. The process of trying and learning makes you better. Every failure is a step closer to success."

With a dynamic environment and ambitious goals, Doorspace is about to redefine the definition of a makerspace in the region. This is not just about using machines, but about creating a movement where ideas flourish, sustainability is paramount and collaboration leads to breakthrough innovation. As Doorspace prepares to officially open its doors, the excitement is keenly felt.

Keep an eye on this creative hotbed in Maastricht: a place where making, learning and innovation know no boundaries.