The Bovenkamer grew out of a shared passion for woodworking. In 2021 Edwin and Jochem, friends since high school, founded the Bovenkamer with a simple idea: to create a place where people can get out of their heads and work with their hands.
In an increasingly digital world, we believe in the value of craftsmanship, creativity and making something tangible. Whether you're an experienced woodworker, a complete beginner or simply curious about the craft, you're welcome at the Bovenkamer.
What began as an idea between two friends has grown into a lively workshop with an enthusiastic team of craftspeople and passionate woodworkers. Together we share our knowledge and help people discover how much joy and satisfaction there is in making something yourself.
“I missed the tangible result. The satisfaction of holding something in your hands that you made yourself.”
Edwin
Founder & owner
After years in the corporate world and time spent as an expat in Dublin and Singapore, Edwin felt a growing urge to be less in his head and more with his hands. Back in Utrecht he made the move from office to workshop. Together with Jochem he founded the Bovenkamer, with the ambition to create an inspiring place for makers in Utrecht where craftsmanship, creativity and the joy of making take centre stage.
Jochem
Founder & owner
After a career in the film industry, Jochem discovered woodworking, a craft that captivated him completely. He has been working as an independent woodworker since 2010, steadily deepening his expertise in the trade. Over time, he developed a desire to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for woodworking with others. Together with Edwin, he founded de Bovenkamer to introduce others to the craft.
Annika
Woodworking instructor
Annika is a creative maker with a deep love for wood and craftsmanship. For years, she worked independently in the Bovenkamer on a wide range of projects, transforming her ideas into unique creations. Today, she shares her passion and expertise as an instructor, inspiring others to discover and further develop their creativity.
Jelle
Woodworking instructor
In daily life Jelle works with high-tech lab equipment, complex systems and micro-precision. That's exactly why he found woodworking to be the perfect counterpart. Wood can't be fully controlled, and that's what makes working with it so interesting. The combination of technique, concentration and creativity appeals to him enormously. At the Bovenkamer he loves stepping out of his head for a while and making something beautiful with his hands.
Job
Woodworking instructor
By day Job helps organisations with complex challenges, but in his free time he seeks the calm of making. What began with a YouTube feed full of woodworking videos grew into a passion for the craft. At the Bovenkamer he discovered how rewarding it is to create something with your own hands. These days he teaches groups himself, sharing his love of woodworking with great enthusiasm.
Kaj
Woodworking instructor
Kaj is always busy making things. As an industrial designer and independent furniture maker, he derives great pleasure from conceiving and building new objects. Wood is his material of choice, as he believes it offers endless possibilities. In his view, creativity is the only real limitation. For Kaj, nothing compares to the satisfaction of a clean wood shaving curling off the chisel, followed by a perfectly smooth, finished piece.
Milo
Wood carving instructor
From an early age Milo was drawing, building and creating. His love of wood began in his grandfather's workshop and grew into a passion that has kept him busy for more than thirteen years. The craftsmanship of wood carving and the versatility of the material continue to inspire him. At the Bovenkamer he runs the wood carving workshops, teaching students how to coax the finest shapes and details from wood with a sharp knife, patience and attention.
Pim
Woodworking instructor
With a background as a motion designer and editor, Pim has spent years bringing ideas to life on screen. The desire to create something tangible alongside digital work led him to woodworking. While video is often fleeting, he is fascinated by timeless wooden figures and sculptures capable of lasting for generations. At the Bovenkamer, he shares his enthusiasm for the craft and supports the team in creating social media content.
Thies
Woodworking instructor
As a photographer, designer, structural engineer and lecturer at Hogeschool Utrecht, Thies is always making something. Whether it's a design, a photo or a wooden object. At the Bovenkamer his passions come together. He draws energy from working with wood and hand tools, and loves seeing people grow in confidence step by step. For him woodworking isn't just about the end result, but above all about the joy of the making process itself.
At the Bovenkamer we believe good craftsmanship begins with respect for the material. That's why we work exclusively with certified wood, local wood and materials from residual streams.
We work partly with wood from Tafelboom, which gives Utrecht's city trees a second life, and with local companies such as Brandwacht en Meijer, whose offcuts we use for courses and projects. We also try to minimise waste streams within our own workshop. Sawdust, shavings and leftover wood find a new purpose with local entrepreneurs and schools.
That thinking runs through everything we do, from the materials we work with to our own building, which is largely built from circular construction materials. We're proud to be part of the Circulair Hout Pact, an initiative of Utrecht organisations working together to reuse local wood as high-grade as possible and prevent waste.
Step by step, we try to contribute to a greener and more beautiful city.
Our workshop combines traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques. Alongside an extensive collection of hand tools — including Japanese saws, planes and chisels — we have professional woodworking machines that let you work efficiently and accurately.
Depending on your experience, you can use the facilities independently or work under the guidance of one of our instructors. Below you'll find a selection of the machines and tools available. Interested in using our workshop, or would you like to know more about the possibilities? Feel free to get in touch.
Our versatile jointer-planer with a helical cutterhead effortlessly surfaces rough wood and planes it to the desired thickness. Ideal for precise, high-quality woodworking.
Max. capacity: 180 mm thick and 400 mm wid
An advanced table saw for precise cuts, whether you are sizing large panels or making complex cuts. Ideal for furniture and cabinetry (no scoring blade).
Max. length 2500 mm · height 90 mm · angle up to 45.1°
Features ceramic blade guides for precise curved and complex cuts. Also excellent for ripping and veneer work.
Max. height 410 mm, max width 480 mm
A powerful oscillating edge sander for fast, efficient, and precise sanding to a smooth finish. Sanding table continuously adjustable up to 90°.
For controlled and precise drilling of straight holes in wood. The work table is height-adjustable via a rack-and-pinion mechanism.
Equipped with an 80W laser tube for automatic engraving and cutting. By varying the laser intensity, you can create lines, filled areas, and deeper engravings with beautiful effects.
Max. passage 400 mm, bed 900×600 mm
Automated milling machine with vacuum bed and 2.2 kW spindle for complex cuts and shapes — for personalized, detailed wooden parts.
Max. passage 160 mm · bed 1200×1200 mm
Perfect for cutting out text, logos, and designs from vinyl, paper, fabric, and cardstock.
