Practical info

Where

HNK Houthavens, Van Diemenstraat 92, 1013 CN Amsterdam (ground floor — ask for 'Effectief Altruïsme Nederland', or walk towards the elevators, turn right, go through the connecting doors, and it's the first office on the left with the EA logos)

The space is hosted by Effective Altruism Netherlands, Doneer Effectief and the Existential Risk Observatory.

Getting here: 22 minutes' walk from Amsterdam Central Station, 7 minutes by bike, or 10 minutes by bus (2 stops) plus a 3-minute walk.

Office hours

Monday–Friday, 9:00–19:00. Events outside office hours are possible — and encouraged (see the members section below).

The space

8 proper desks plus a lunch table with 5 workable spots. The lunch table is used for lunch from 12:30–13:30 — if you're working there, you'll need to pack up for that hour. Lounge seats are informal overflow: no booking needed, just sit.

Half days

Desks can be booked for the whole day, just the morning, or just the afternoon — the handover is lunch, so if you have the morning please pack up by the end of it, and if you have the afternoon the desk is yours once lunch clears. Two people sharing a desk is normal and nobody has to negotiate it. Only in for the morning on a day you booked in full? The reminder email has a one-tap link to hand back your afternoon.

Lunch

Communal lunch is 12:30–13:30. Bring your own (there's a fridge and a microwave) or buy it in the building — the ground-floor restaurant is open 9:00–17:00. There are always vegan options, and if you're ordering in with the group, the Lebanese sajeria nearby does very good vegan wraps.

Checking in

Scan the QR code by the door (or on the lunch table) when you arrive. Two taps, and it's how we show funders the office is being used — which keeps it free. Nobody is ever turned away for not checking in.

House guidelines

The basic use of the office during office hours (9–17) is quiet work; during lunch and after hours you're welcome to chit-chat in the lounge or anywhere else.

• The 5-minute rule — conversations up to 5 minutes are fine at the desks. Longer? Please continue outside, in the lounge or a phone booth.
• The main rule: talk to each other. Need the window open or closed? Say it. Too much chatter nearby? Let people know.
• Be nice and be respectful. We want a supportive, deeply caring, encouraging environment. Be considerate of other people's boundaries; harmful or thoughtless behaviour — unwanted attention, unkindness, talking over people — doesn't belong here.
• Cancel bookings you won't use — with eight desks, one tap makes a real difference. Only staying half the day? Book a half day, or hand back the half you won't use.
• Tidiness — clean up after yourself; if something's broken or lost, tell us straight away.
• Dress code — wear what you find comfortable.
• Alcohol — permitted after office hours in the social area (not at the desks); don't disturb people still working.

If you feel unwelcome or uncomfortable for any reason, please let us know — it's important to us. The full code of conduct is on our website. We reserve the right to revoke access — for endangering people's health or safety, not helping build a supportive community, or repeatedly breaking or losing property.