According to Harvard Business Review’s research on coworking spaces, 84% of people in a coworking space reported that it has improved their work engagement and motivation and 82% said that their professional networks have expanded. Coworking offices are here to stay, and we have some ideas on how to design your workspace right. By offering coworking members a variety of spaces, you can give yourself a leg up on your competition. Design, furniture, and space planning are imperative to creating the perfect coworking environment.
Provide amenities that reflect the level of membership
Permanent offices or workstations should have more storage, more privacy, and a prime location. Long hallways full of private offices are not ideal, however. Your members are here because they want to feel connected, so make sure you have an open hub of workstations centralized between the permanent offices.
Shared offices or workstations should have minimal storage at the desk but offer those members a locker in a different area. This workspace should feel welcoming and light, so select a space that has high ceilings to create a sense of openness.
Give members opportunities to work differently
Workers will want lounge areas with soft seating, call rooms, workstations, and a café. Choose furniture that is functional, fun and fits the space. Offer a variety of spaces with many types of seating arrangements. Don’t shop for furniture before you know what to look for. Know the dimensions of your coworking spaces so that the furniture within fulfills a purpose.
Provide members areas for fun by adding ping-pong tables, dart boards and games. Balance that with areas for privacy so they can make personal calls or complete focused work far away from the fun and collaborative areas.
Include a Multipurpose room in your design
A coworking facility should offer events that help build businesses. Spaces should be flexible to move furniture around to accommodate an event that needs a large open area for seating for presentations or collaborative teaming. Equip the multipurpose meeting spaces with audio/video equipment, removable partitions, and add human elements such as plants and cozy seating.
Make the breakroom area the heart of the space
Coworking facilities provide partnerships with surrounding businesses, especially restaurants. Many restaurants bring food in a few times a month. So, the kitchen/break room areas should accommodate catering food and coffee service. The spirit of coworking resembles the work style that you would see in a café or coffee shop, so if that area is comfortable it will encourage members to leave their desks and use the communal area to network. People coming together is what makes a coworking office successful, so make sure your design facilitates that.
Coworking is more than just renting a desk in an office. It’s about providing a network of people an opportunity to work differently so they are inspired to come to an office building. If you design your coworking space with that in mind, you will keep your members happy and satisfied.