Reinventing coworking spaces

Coworking is reinventing the way we work. In recent years, the creation of companies has seen good progress. Indeed, according to a study conducted by INSEE issued in January 2020… 815,300 companies have been set up in France; an increase of 18% compared to the previous year. More flexibility in the organization and the possibility of developing a new market; entrepreneurship seduces and makes its place in the job market. The question then arises of the installation of the new company in a suitable room. Choosing a work environment is a key issue, especially since the first years of a company’s existence are decisive for its sustainability. This is why some workspaces are developing and meeting an important success: coworking.

A social and budgetary response, between communication and cocoon

Coworking spaces are places that were created in France in 2008, with the opening of the very first space in Paris, “La Cantine”. They allow small businesses, self-entrepreneurs or freelancers to be able to rent offices and work freely, as in traditional offices, the only difference being in the presence of many companies from different sectors of activity.

This solution allows all these actors to fight against isolation, meeting other people while expanding their network of professional knowledge. The advantage for these small companies to settle in coworking spaces is primarily financial.

Indeed, it is more advantageous to rent a small office in a coworking space, where everything is included (internet, electricity, furniture and various equipment) than to have to find a commercial space of its own that you would have to equip yourself.

This allows corporate clients to control their budgets, and to be able to really focus on their core business. This advantage is reflected in demand; there are currently 120 coworking spaces in France spread over the territory.

Countering offices that are too expensive, or rare thanks to coworking

Coworking is also a comfortable solution to the scarcity of offices and commercial spaces… Especially in large cities such as Bordeaux, allowing companies not to have to go off the center. However, by moving into a coworking, entrepreneurs are looking for calm. This in order to be able to work and concentrate, making the layout of the offices essential.

Actors in this market offer coworking designers to match the different spaces available using, for example, Hoyez’s removable partitions,ideal for both acoustics and aesthetics.

Noise pollution due to the conversations of the teams nearby, phones ringing, travel… But also stress and concentration problems are disadvantages that can be encountered in poorly arranged and designed coworking spaces. This has an unprecedented impact on everyone’s productivity.

This type of bespoke layout also applies in all industrial spaces in order to be able to separate the different spaces with higher partitions, responding to the constraints of the premises having several levels.

Coworking workspace
Start-ups and companies choose to access a coworking space for the comfort of work.

Design solutions designed for well-being and productivity in coworking

The layout of a coworking space is essential for everyone to feel good about it, and to be “in their bubble” without hearing what is going on around them. Installing glass panels, for example, separates two separate spaces without completely insulating one or the other, and does not alter the brightness of the rooms.

This is for example what is offered in the coworking space Mama Works, in Bordeaux. Where the offices are in a workspace made with a majority of glass panels. The installation of sliding bays also saves space, avoiding the opening of traditional doors.

In addition, it is possible to infinitely modulate the spaces, for example by creating individual offices. A solution that finds satisfaction for the self-employed… Or larger offices for teams or meeting spaces.

But partitioning and rendering the rooms soundproofing isn’t everything. Indeed, although the need for isolation, calm for concentration is essential, the need to interact with others is still very important to break the isolation and the fact of running one’s business alone.

It is for this reason that a good coworking space must be able to meet all these requirements, through layouts and a configuration planned for all situations. As mentioned above, everyone must find their own space with the necessary calm.

Innovate, exchange, coworker…

For this, some coworking, like the Meetropolitan located in Bordeaux, have chosen to create spaces specific to certain uses. The “Telephone booths” are a good example, dedicated to calls and totally soundproofed to maintain confidentiality… While not disturbing his collaborators.

Offices of more or less large can also be rented for business meetings. The offer applies for a variable duration (from a few hours to a whole day or more). But they also offer spaces with different atmospheres, more formal or more relaxed.

To promote exchange and interaction, coworking also focuses on living spaces where everyone can meet, relax and exchange in a more informal way; such as rest areas with furniture dedicated to relaxation (comfortable armchairs, cushions …) … As well as a dining area with everything necessary.

Faced with the success of business creation and the interest of investing a coworking space in the face of the scarcity of own office offers, the development of this type of configuration still has a bright future ahead of it.

Coworking chains adapted to the needs of companies

Some coworking chains have also emerged… Allowing members to be able to access any space of the chain anywhere in the world. Examples include the Regus Group, which has nearly 3,000 business fairs in 120 countries; including five offices for the city of Bordeaux alone. They are ideally located near train stations, airports or in the city center so that access is easy.

An ideal solution for all nomadic entrepreneurs who have to move constantly; removing the constraints of renting conventional commercial offices… And allowing employees in different cities to have access to a workspace. All without the need to travel to different cities or regions. This makes work more enjoyable, less stressful and above all much more flexible. An effective way, therefore, to refocus on the essential: its activity.

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