The current trend of working remotely has reduced the need for office spaces to have fixed work station. Companies have now increasingly invested in remote work stations hence office spaces have become space of culmination or meetings. On one hand that has enabled flexibility on the other hand, the culture of working together has reduced significantly.
The idea of a co-working space is to create collaborative yet isolated spaces for work. Co-working spaces enables people from different background to meet at a common place and interact. This interaction helps people understand the complexity of other fields and at the same time explore opportunities presented by then. This encourages interdisciplinary collaborations.
While talking about spatial planning, the key components of a co-working space are firstly work spaces, cabins, office space. Secondly, Meeting room for both physical and online meetings and thirdly cafeteria, coffee stations, play stations, lunch zones etc. Meeting rooms and office spaces need to be flexible as they can house any type of company. The spaces should be able to adapt to a general work style at the same time easily be able to customize as per the occupant’s specific needs. Meeting rooms need to be expandable and shrinkable depending on the needs. There is a new typology of call booths popularizing in co-working spaces as they create sound isolated spaces of online meetings. Thirdly the common areas need to be designed to depict the culture of the work place. It needs to be energetic, experimental and comfortable. It is the experience of a co-working space that keeps people associated with them. The common areas play an important role in creating that experience.
Understanding the requirements of an office with service point of view- pantry, water stations and washroom are the three most vital categories of work stations. Individual male and female cluster of toilets need to be created. The number should pertain the occupancy standards as mentioned in the bylaws. Optimizing the position and number of service stations plays a critical point of smooth functioning of the place.
Use of materials are vital to create the ambience of the space. Being a commercial property with a heavy footfall use of expensive material is not advised for work places. However smart details that prevent wear and tear increases the lifespan of the material. Use of engineered wood, vitrified tiles, wood and metal furniture with laminate finish create a refreshing vibe at an economical rate. Moreover exposed services and an increased use of plants uplifts the spaces at the same time makes it easy to maintain.
While designing a co-working space, spatial planning that is flexible, services that ensure smooth functioning and materials which are economical yet well detailed can create a vibrant, classic and efficient co-working space.