What Is Coworking Space?

What Is Coworking Space?

Coworking spaces, you have surely heard of them. You have probably walked by one in your neighborhood. Your friends might even work from there. However, what is a coworking space exactly?

Coworking space originated when freelancers banded together to create spaces where they could work side by side. They were looking to beat the social isolation of working alone by creating community feel and structure. Since then, coworking spaces have evolved to welcome much more than freelancers. Today, coworking spaces offer a variety of open and private workspaces for individuals and organizations. Furthermore, coworking spaces offer events and social activities to build strong communities of professionals.

WHAT IS COWORKING?

While many people are familiar with the basic concept of coworking, the wide variety of ways in which people use coworking spaces is less well-known. Far from simply encompassing an extra desk and shared wi-fi, coworking can be individual or collaborative, full-time or part-time, and can include an almost unlimited variety of space types.

Coworking, from English co-working - joint work, in the modern sense means a space in which people gather and work both with a team and individually. In simple words, this is a space that balances between the immediacy of working at home / in a cafe and the discipline of an office.

As a rule, coworking spaces are equipped with:

  • Workplaces,
  • Internet,
  • Meeting rooms,
  • Office equipment,
  • Dining area,
  • Recreation area,
  • Gym,
  • Even sleep capsules.

 

HISTORY OF ORIGIN

Programmer Brad Newberg opened the first co-working center in 2005 in San Francisco. At home, he lacked business communication, many distractions from his activities, so he suggested gathering in a special place for work. Participants were also invited to meditate, have lunch and ride bicycles together.

Now urbanists consider such centers through the concept of "third places" - this is not work or home, but an urban public space in which people can be brought together for interaction and communication.

WHAT IS GOOD COWORKING DIFFERENT?

A good coworking space is a place where you will feel comfortable working. To make the right choice, follow the instructions provided.

1.Collect basic data about the coworking area:

  • Coworking location. Will it be convenient for you to get there?
  • Mode of operation. It is important that the mode is comfortable for you.
  • Ability to work around the clock, on weekends.
  • Rules of coworking, system of fines.
  • What is included in the basic rent of a workplace?
  • Space planning.
  • Prices for rental seats and additional services.
  • History of coworking.
  • Proximity to public transport stops.

 

2.Look at reviews.

You can get a lot of valuable information from people who rent coworking spaces. When you visit the center, feel free to ask a few people to share their opinion.

3.Find out what activities take place in the coworking space?

Will you be comfortable working if there are many people in the coworking space who like to hang out and make noise?

4.Check the availability of meeting rooms.

Make sure the coworking space has enough meeting rooms. They can be useful if you need to communicate personally with customers and partners.

5.Find out the speed of Internet access.

Is this speed enough for you to work comfortably?

6.Where can you eat?

A significant plus is the presence of an inexpensive cafe in the coworking space or next to it. This will save you money on lunches.

THE FUTURE OF COWORKING

Estimates put the future of coworking at an exponential rate of growth. Worldwide growth is expected to outpace even that of North America during that time. New enterprise and corporate clients and the rise of private workspaces indicate significant growth in the years ahead.

Coworking offers solutions to so many of the pain points business owners and team leaders face. Ongoing changes in a post-2020 commercial real estate landscape put coworking and flexible office environments in a unique position. They are better able to provide meaningful benefits to their members – both now and in the future.