Co-working space design and architecture across the globe

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Co-working space design and architecture across the globe

Table of Contents

No 6 Babmaes Street, UK

Fathom Architects

The newly launched No 6 Babmaes Street in London is ‘a new concept in social and flexible workspace,’ explain its creators. This modern co-working space was designed by Fathom Architects for The Crown Estate, retrofitting a disused 1970s building in the upmarket St James area. An architectural, raw concrete shell unfolds into warm decor, rich planting and a range of facilities for its users. Offerings include from a wellness studio (doubling as space for exhibitions or pop-up events), to banquette booths, meeting rooms, dining spaces, lounge areas and a roof terrace. Working alone or as part of a group, this space caters for everything. 

Round meeting room table at the Malin coworking space in new York

(Image credit: Thomas Loof)

The Malin, New York, USA

Craftmanship and curated amenities define the latest coworking space in New York – The Malin. Set on Mercer Street and open to members, the venue caters for the creative community and is dressed with design-led objects and furniture to ensure a warm, yet contemporary environment. “We wanted The Malin to be a beautiful yet functional space that exists as the ideal place to work. During the pandemic I imagined what it would take to inspire folks to want to return to a workplace, and knew that it would have to be in an exciting neighborhood, with various zones that promoted different modes of working, with a design that was comfortable and inviting, yet elevated. From that, The Malin was born” explains one of the founders, Ciaran McGuigan.

B64N Co-working space in Melbourne, exterior

(Image credit: Derek Swalwell)

B64N Co-working, Australia

Kosloff Architecture

Located in Melbourne Airport, ‘one of the world’s fastest growing airports and Melbourne’s second largest employment hub’, this co-working space is quirkily located in an existing hangar shed. Kosloff Architecture’s clever renovation means that the hangar’s 3000 sq m can now easily accomodate working, meeting and socialising spaces for users. A two storey structure installed inside, and carefully selected furniture, soften the hangar’s industrial nature, without obscuring it. 

Snøhetta digital garage workspace

(Image credit: Nacasa Partners)

Digital Garage, Japan 

Snøhetta

Digital Garage is a serene workspace in Tokyo’s bustling Shibuya district. The interior, created by Norwegian architecture studio Snøhetta, is described by its architects as ‘boutique office space for digital nomads.’ A central piece of furniture made of Japanese cedar wood dominates the interior and unites different areas, offering a space to sit, rest and work, transforming from bench to table, to partition, to bar counter. Specially design lighting on the undulating dark ceiling gives the impression of a starry night.

Assembly coworking interior

(Image credit: Thibaud Guerin-Williams)

Assembly, USA

Campfire & Co

Housed in the historic former Ames & Brownly department store in Norfolk, Virginia, Assembly is a modern co-working set up created by Campfire & Co. Balancing old and new, as well as the varying needs of a contemporary, post-pandemic workspace, flexibility is key in this design – as are a sleek, yet warm design with lots of natural light and materials. Apart from meeting rooms, hotdesking areas and traditional office, amenities include a library, game room, a wellness/mother’s room, a podcast/recording booth and bike share scheme and bike storage. 

Green wall at plant works coworking space

(Image credit: press)

Plantworks, UK

Marek Wojciechowski Architects and Kono Designs

Conceived by financier Clemente Cappello and featuring a design by Marek Wojciechowski Architects and Kono Designs, Plantworks is the latest addition to the vibrant Kings Cross scene. Including some 10,000 plants in various forms and set ups, this development boasts to be ‘the first urban farm office development’. Cappello says: ‘Working amongst biophilia reduces illness, stress and mental health issues whilst stimulating positivity, creativity and teamwork and can reduce sick days by 20%. My vision is to harbour the benefits of plants to attract talent, reduce sick days and foster wellbeing within the workplace. The office is now very much part of a company’s brand image and plays a greater role in attracting and retaining talent.’ 

Bureau interior in London

(Image credit: Alex Upton)

Bureau, UK

Ror Barr

Launching with London Design District at the Greenwich Peninsula this month, Bureau is the capital’s newest workspace offering. Balanced between office architecture and members’ club, Bureau has landed to provide post-pandemic respite to the city’s tired creative workforce – a step away from both traditional office space and working-from-home set-ups, and a clearly defined concept that stands apart from co-working space peers. With interiors designed by architect Roz Barr, this creative club is the latest evolution in its genre – a ‘hybrid third space’, combining the freedom and flexibility of home working, with the focused structure, support, and sociability provided by the office environment, its creators explain. Barr’s ideas on what constitutes the perfect modern workspace were already in development, as the architect gathered notes from past, pre-pandemic projects, such as Selfridges’ creative studios. But with Bureau and the pandemic, everything sped up. The architect told us back in February, when we previewed Bureau’s space: ‘With Selfridges it wasn’t about fitting in desks for everyone, it was about creating a studio culture, pin-up areas, places for informal meetings, places you could take your laptop and work in peace. There were freelancers coming in and out, working on particular projects. All that experience fed into Bureau.’

The department store interior showing exposed construction and brickwork

(Image credit: Jack Hobhouse)

The Department Store Studios, London

Squire & Partners

Set next door to the architecture practice’s own, award winning office space, this new addition to Brixton’s The Department Store is the brainchild of Squire & Partners. The Studios offers the perfect platform for ‘hyperlocal’ working and growing businesses. There are individual desks, private studios, serviced social and meeting areas and also a neighbourhood bar, restaurant and screening room on the premises. The design draws on the robust, existing Edwardian structure while adding a contemporary layer with sleek dark metal window frames, landscaped terraces and a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) structural frame. ‘We believe people are tired of conventional offices defined by standard industry benchmarks. The Department Store Studios is a loveable place to work, where people can work ‘free range’ in a generous space where they are part of a community which supports them to do more than just their jobs,’ says Squire & Partners’ senior partner Michael Squire. 

Colourful Brock house co working space by the office group

(Image credit: press)

Brock House, London, UK

SODA

Situated in the heart of London’s bustling West End, Brock House is an oasis of calm, considered design. The brainchild of leading co-working company TOG (The Office Group), the venue draws on its historical building – formely a Philharmonic Hall, cinema and automobile showroom – with an added layer of contemporary design and all the mod-cons a modern flexible office space might need. The colourful architecture is created by dynamic London studio SODA. 

Strong graphics and colour blocks in this Hamburg workspace

(Image credit: Silke Zander)

Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, Germany

Studio Besau-Marguerre

This workspace has a special twist – not only is the co-working office a bold and colourful statement of interior architecture, but it is also hosted in a unique cultural setting, inside Hamburg’s Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe. Designed by local multi-disciplinary studio Besau-Marguerre, the space has strong graphic arrangements and powerful colour blocking. It is also created with supreme accoustics and zoning to ensure aesthetics match comfort, and an overall contemporary approach to interiors.

Clockwise, a new workspace in Wood Green

(Image credit: press)

Clockwise, London, UK

Hawkins\Brown

London’s Wood Green may not be as central as Bank, Hackney and other of the capital’s workspace hubs, but it now can boast a new contemporary flexible office space in the shape of Clockwise. Created by leading architect Hawkins\Brown, this interior is clean and modern. ‘The new site takes its design cues from the thriving local community and area, working in collaboration with neighbourhood artists to capture a genuine local perspective,’ they say. 

The minimalist entrance of Kinrise coworking in Leeds

(Image credit: press)

34 Boar Lane, Leeds, UK

Kinrise

This contemporary workspace in Leeds city centre, owned and operated by Kinrise, is designed with environmental friendliness and collaboration in mind. Offering carefully designed interiors that promote both flexible working and wellbeing, 34 Boar Loane runs on 100% green energy. ‘The outdoor rooftop terraces have been designed with the environment in mind, with activities like planting and beekeeping both planned and actively encouraged. Other innovations include the use of sustainably sourced British sheep’s wool to insulate the building and the introduction of storage and shower facilities for cyclists,’ Kinrise adds.

Spacial co-working space's bar area designed by Ivy Studio Inc in Montreal, Canada

(Image credit: Alex Lesage)

Spacial, Montreal, Canada

Ivy Studio Inc

What used to be a Jiu Jitsu gym and a beauty salon has now transformed into a state-of-the-art co-working space in Montreal. Titled Spacial and located on an existing building’s second floor, this workspace captivates through its colours and patterns. Facilities range from meeting rooms to co-working areas and private, rentable offices to suite any need. 

Victoria House is the flagship cowering space by specialist brand LABS

(Image credit: Stale Eriksen)

Victoria House, London, UK

Hutchinson & Partners

Workspace specialists LABS have joined forces with London-based architecture studio Hutchinson & Partners to transform Victoria House, the Grade-II listed neoclassical building in the heart of Bloomsbury, into a modern co-working space. The architects drew on the historical building’s scale and grand design, applying modern notes and touches throughout. Amenities include a state-of-the-art gym, multi-use studio, lecture room, boardroom, meeting room suite. Furniture was designed especially for this site by Fred Rigby.

Steps And rest areas within Paddington Works designed by Threefold

(Image credit: press)

Paddington Works, London, UK

Threefold Architects

Threefold Architects have been researching wellness in architecture for their work and have applied their findings on their latest co-working space project in London. Paddington Works is inspired by Brunel’s eponymous station and its heroic train shed. At the same time it’s a workspace fit for the 21st century, full of clever, functional design details and a crafts-based approach. Additionally, ‘the air circulation system (air socks) bring at least 25% more fresh air into the building effectively cleaning the air in the communal spaces every 22 minutes – making it a very safe place to work covid wise,’ say the architects.  

Liberty house by The Office Group sits opposite Liberty London

(Image credit: press)

Liberty House, London, UK

SODA Studio

TOG (The Office Group) has collaborated with SODA Studio to create the brand’s latest workspace in the heart of London. Situated in the heart of town and just opposite the famed Liberty London store – which gives the new venue its name – this co-working space features all the hallmarks of its creators’ expertise – ample space, generous amenities, lots of colour and clever use of crafts and material. Drawing inspiration from its dynamic context and the vibrancy in Liberty London’s aesthetic, this office blends colours, patterns and sculpted forms. Liberty House follows TOG’s recent launch of Oper46 in Frankfurt.

NeueHouse Bradbury in Los Angeles is defined by its striking historical interior and internal balconies

(Image credit: Nikolas Koenig)

NeueHouse Bradbury, Los Angeles, USA

DesignAgency

Located in downtown LA’s iconic Bradbury Building, this is the latest outpost of the sophisticated private flexible workspace brand NeueHouse. Created by DesignAgency, the interiors include a café/bar, a communal gallery and atelier workspace, a wellness room, meeting rooms and desk space. The Canadian studio lovingly restored the existing 1893 National Historic Landmark building, maintaining features such as its high oak framed windows and exposed wood ceiling joists, while matching it with modern furniture and fittings. Communal areas are versatile in order to accommodate a variety of events and needs, bringing together hospitality, social club, and workspace into a single, contemporary space. 

PUBLIC Hall is a London co-working space that mixes contemporary elements with historical features, such as this gypsum ceiling

(Image credit: Genevieve Lutkin)

PUBLIC Hall, London, UK

Sella Concept

At One Horse Guards Avenue in Westminster, Sella Concept has created a ‘heritage-meets-modern’ design for a GovTech co-working space initiated by venture firm PUBLIC and workspace accelerator Huckletree. The French Renaissance style architecture of the building from 1884, and its storied past as an apartment block and the an MI6 HQ during World War I, played an important role in the design process. Sella Concpet played with materials such as French cane on the reception desk, balancing ornate fireplaces and cornicing with bold colour palettes and bold design choices. ‘We added a contemporary layer that merges both worlds with a discreet elegance that can make you feel calm, at home, and inspired to create,’ says Tatjana von Stein, co-founder, Sella Concept. The open-plan space with plenty of communal areas was important to facilitating collaboration between innovators, civil servants and Westminster policymakers.

A monochromatic palette and minimalist rule in Firma + Cantine II by Baroness O

(Image credit: Jeroen Verrecht)

Firma + Cantine II, Brussels, Belgium

Baroness O.

Baroness O. converted this vacated office building, formerly home to Brussel’s regional office for employment, into a temporary and minimalist co-work, art and lunch space. Collaborating with architecture firm Keper Architecten, Baroness O. was guided by the temporal time span afforded to the concept (open until 2021) when designing the material pallette. Cost-efficient and reusable materials, including transparent walls and textiles, give spaces modular flexibility. ‘Our creative community is in need of lectures and inspiring events in a central, easy to reach location,’ explains Baroness O. founder Anne Van Assche. ‘We’re organising our first events this summer already.’

Shui-On INNO SOCIAL brings a contemporary aesthetic to workspace in Shanghai

(Image credit: Dirk Weiblen)

Shui-On INNO SOCIAL, Shanghai, China

Aim Architecture

The ever-developing, public character of Shanghai informed Aim Architecture’s interior overhaul of this art deco building in Yangpu district. Catering to the freelancer, corporate business and everything in between, the Shui-On INNO SOCIAL co-working space offers 65,000 sq m of workspace across two buildings. Wood interiors weave around social spaces hosting kitchens and sleep pods, complemented by splashes of pastel hues across walls and furniture. A courtyard at the facility’s heart features a ‘community loop’, connecting the offices with retail stores and cafes. The architects hope this space will foster new interactions and working relationships.

MATES in Munich by Alexander Fehre Studio bridges tactile materiality with functional design details

(Image credit: press)

MATES, Munich, Germany

Studio Alexander Fehre

Stuttgart-based interior design studio Alexander Fehre responded to the concept of MATES – a co-working space created as a platform for exchange between young creatives – with a bright, relaxed interior. Inviting rubberized cork-lined boxes on the exterior glazed wall with desks inside are ideal for working in small groups, while smaller boxes with alternative arrangements – such as a comfy chair with desk, or a small table with two chairs – are designated for more focused work. Brightly coloured furniture – such Muuto’s fiber armchair with swivel base in Dusty Red – contrast the wood floor and neutral walls.

The Ippolito Fleitz Group is behind this dramatic colourful staircase in Shanghai's SOHO 3Q WuJiaoChang workspace

(Image credit: Sui Sicong)

SOHO 3Q WuJiaoChang, Shanghai, China

Ippolito Fleitz Group

Buzzing with energy, this co-working space, commissioned by SOHO China, a leading private real estate developer, is aimed at millenials (China’s largest demographic). An unused 1980s department store has been revitalized into a workspace that seeks to break convention with its varied and colourful design of terrazzo floors, open ceilings and wooden surfaces. Designed for flexibility and growth, all areas are scalable from two to 30 workstations, with the whole co-working space seating 2,500 people. The jewel is a two level hub connected by a sculptural spiral staircase designed for bringing the whole community together.

Allbright on Maddox Street features bright green accents to a design by Suzy Hoodless

(Image credit: Paul Massey)

Allbright, London, UK

Suzy Hoodless

Despite being a female-only members club, the Allbright in Mayfair keeps its ‘girly’ details to a minimum. With interiors designed by Suzy Hoodless, the space has been transformed from an old office with 1980’s-style drop ceilings to a bright and breezy co-working environment that has the working woman at the forefront of its mind. Colourful elements come in the form of Gubi Beetle chairs, while art from an all-female lineup has been specially curated by Beth Greenacre. As well as great spots to knuckle down and concentrate, the five-floor building impressively encompasses two roof terraces, a spa and salon, a fitness studio and an 80-seat restaurant.

This is the campus for InfiniteArea in Treviso, a co-working space clad in warm timbers

(Image credit: Marco Zanta)

InfiniteArea, Treviso, Italy

Zanon Architetti Associati and Squared Architects

Located in Montebelluna, Italy, at the heart of an industrial campus, this co-workring space has been designed as a ‘glocal’ office for innovation and new business opportunities. An abandoned factory was renovated and redesigned, and now boasts 150 desks, eight meeting rooms and an event space seating 200. Polished concrete flooring and timber, glass and metal dividers were contrasted with colourful office furniture. Green space surrounds the building and connects co-workers to the outdoors through floor-to-ceiling glazed exterior walls.

Beza Projekt, clad in warm timbers, is Warsaw's latest co-working space

(Image credit: press)

Warszawski Ul, Warsaw, Poland

Beza Projekt

Taking inspiration from American period drama ‘Mad Men’, avant-garde design studio Beza Projekt has redesigned a co-working space in Warsaw with 1960s style. Situated inside a 1920s tenement house, the space hosts four private offices, a conference room and kitchen, completed with a bathroom and shower. Richly hued rosewood panels line the walls and are complimented by brushed gold accents, all enhanced with ambient lighting.

Through the hidden doors covered with veneer, a customised prussian blue kitchen features partially glazed walls to provide natural lighting, without compromising the privacy of the surrounding space. Semi-circular tables, mirrors and stools by Misa Form add a feeling of elegance to a somewhat mysterious-looking co-working space.

Pittsburgh has a new co working space defined by clean, white interiors and a calming atmosphere

(Image credit: Alexandra Ribar for Beauty Shoppe)

Beauty Shoppe Terminal Building, Pittsburgh, USA

Beauty Shoppe

Co-working company Beauty Shoppe opens its eighth co-working space in Pittsburgh inside the Terminal Building, a historic spot in the Highline, a cargo warehouse redevelopment in the city. As well as work spaces, the 12,000 sq ft space also includes a series of maker studios, which have inspired the Bauhaus-themed design which features local craft pieces – such as the tapestries by the ‘Midnight Weaver’, artist Laura Gross, pictured here – and modernist furniture. The maker bays make this co-working space unique; activated through a partnership with a local craft business accelerator Monmade, they open up to the street and invite the community to look inside.

The in-house design team led by Morgan Stewart, Beauty Shoppe’s director of design, celebrates the original building with exposed brickwork and masonry. This characteristic canvas for co-workers is layered with locally sourced custom furniture including seating by Bones and All, and a concrete table by DJ Tokarcyzk of D.N.A Company. A public café named Astroid reflects the same design interest in Bauhaus – in both its design and menu, with locally handmade coffee mugs designed by Jenna Vanden Brink. 

Reading now has a Fora workspace courtesy of Piercy & company, featuring a bright red staircase at its heart

(Image credit: Jack Hobhouse)

Fora, Reading, UK

Piercy&Company

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