NEMO De Studio
NEMO De Studio is the dedicated studio and maker-space branch of NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam, offering hands-on workshops and creative science programmes for children, schools and families. Located in the Eastern Docklands beside the main NEMO building, De Studio extends NEMO’s mission of making science accessible through direct experimentation into a dedicated creative learning environment. It is part of the broader NEMO complex, one of the most visited cultural institutions in the Netherlands.
At a glance
- Type
- Science studio / educational workshop space
- Period
- Part of the NEMO complex opened 1997; De Studio established as separate programme
- Style
- Contemporary; main NEMO building designed by Renzo Piano
- Location
- Oosterdok, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Coordinates
- 52.3737° N, 4.9134° E
Overview
NEMO De Studio operates as a creative learning annex to the main NEMO Science Museum, one of the largest interactive science museums in Europe. The Studio format concentrates on guided workshops and open-ended making activities in areas such as robotics, biology, art-science and digital fabrication. It serves both individual visitors and organised school groups, offering structured programmes tied to the Dutch national curriculum.
History
NEMO Science Museum was established in 1997 in a striking copper-clad building designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, rising above the entrance to the IJ Tunnel in Amsterdam’s Eastern Docklands. The museum grew from the former Technisch Museum NINT and the Newmet children’s museum, merging science communication with interactive exhibition design. De Studio emerged as a dedicated programme space to expand the museum’s reach beyond its permanent galleries, providing a place where visitors engage as makers rather than observers.
What you see
De Studio typically features a rotating schedule of themed workshops — visitors might build simple circuits, design structures with natural materials, investigate chemical reactions or code basic programmes. The space is equipped with workbenches, craft supplies, digital tools and scientific instruments suited to a wide age range. The rooftop terrace of the main NEMO building, one of the finest viewpoints over the Amsterdam harbour and historic centre, is accessible from the complex and provides a memorable backdrop to any visit.
Cultural significance
NEMO De Studio represents a model of participatory cultural engagement that has influenced science communication practice across the Netherlands and beyond. By placing making and experimentation at the centre of the visitor experience, it embodies a shift in museum pedagogy away from passive display toward active discovery. The broader NEMO complex attracts more than 600,000 visitors annually, making it a cornerstone of Amsterdam’s cultural offer.
Practical information
- Address
- Oosterdok 2, 1011 VX Amsterdam
- Opening hours
- Check official website for current schedule and workshop bookings
- Admission
- Check official website for current prices; some workshops require advance booking
- Website
- nemosciencemuseum.nl
Getting there
NEMO is a 10-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal station along the waterfront. Bus lines 22 and 48 stop at nearby Kattenburgerplein. The museum is also accessible by bicycle via the IJ waterfront cycle path. Limited paid parking is available in the immediate area; public transport is strongly recommended.