Now that the coronavirus restrictions are being lifted, Leuven’s ‘hands-on learning centre’ has finally opened its doors at a temporary location on the Vaartkom. This former industrial area is undergoing rapid development as a residential and commercial district. Despite their temporary nature, Polo Architects’ modest interventions to make the site usable are, from an architectural perspective, more interesting than many other projects in the neighbourhood. It is an experiment in circularity.

A ‘hands-on learning centre’ harks back to an old idea of knowledge and craftsmanship, imparted not through schools and standard curricula, but on the shop floor by a master craftsman. That idea is gaining traction again for two reasons. On the one hand, there is a growing realisation that local production is important for a sustainable economy. Such ‘2.0’ businesses require a different kind of workforce than what technical colleges provide. More hands-on, more adaptable and committed. On the other hand, the school system does not always prove to be the ideal place for everyone to learn a trade. Many people benefit from alternative training.