11 innovative coworking examples in Spain and the world
Shared workspaces, better known as coworking spaces, have become very popular in recent years, both in Spain and in the rest of the world. This has translated into accelerated growth in the supply and demand for these spaces, especially in large cities with an entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Coworking itself is an innovative work model, but over the years, it has continuously evolved seeking to better satisfy the needs of flexible work spaces of entrepreneurs and businessmen today. This has led to the creation of different original and innovative coworking spaces in different cities in Spain and the world, where the way work is carried out and what teleworking is is constantly explored and redefined.
Here we will tell you about some of them. But first, let's talk a little about how we got here, where and how coworking started.
A brief history of coworking
In 1995, one of the first spaces considered as coworking was born in Berlin, the C-Base. In this space, different people who knew each other and had things in common began to work under the same roof, becoming a community. This project became an inspiration for the creation of similar spaces in the United States.
Four years later, in 1999, the American video game designer Bernie DeKoven first used the term coworking. For him, this concept meant "working together as equals", which to this day remains the principle with which we identify coworking and collaborative work.
The concept of coworking began to spread and gain popularity, especially among entrepreneurs and freelancers interested in having these workspaces. And in 2005, the programmer Brad Neuberg inaugurated the first space officially known as coworking in San Francisco, United States, a place called Hat Factory.
In the following years, coworking spaces continued to grow, mainly in the largest cities in the United States and some European countries such as Germany, Austria, France, and Spain. And at the same time, the term coworking continued to gain strength, positioning itself in Google searches and appearing on Wikipedia.
Today, we can find a wide range of coworking spaces around the world. From large, open-plan and modern spaces that offer the flexibility their users need, to highly innovative spaces or those that are more focused on a specific sector.
However, they all have in common their vision focused on the user, the coworker. Seeking to optimize the functionality of their spaces and make available to their community a workplace with multiple advantages and services.
Coworking spaces around the world
Among the wide range of flexible workspaces that exist in different cities around the world, we can find some that stand out. Whether because they are focused on a specific sector or community, because they have some type of exceptional service, or because they are located in an unconventional place. Here we tell you about some of them:
Source: The Bureau
The Bureau – Paris, France
What distinguishes The Bureau is its commitment to luxurious and elegant spaces. A coworking space that not only offers multiple services for the comfort and well-being of its users, but also provides them with the ideal place to create a perfect first impression for their clients and associates.
The architecture in each of its locations is designed by leading names in the sector in France, such as Franklin Azzi and Marika Dru. Special attention is paid to the furniture and decoration to maintain elegance in each space.
Source: ArchDaily
Hubba – Bangkok, Thailand
Founded in 2012, Hubba was the first coworking space in Thailand, making it also the precursor of this work model and the driving force behind the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Today, Hubba offers its community services aimed at training and acceleration for startups and entrepreneurs. In addition, through coworking, it has sought to meet the needs of creative entrepreneurs and local artists. This includes spaces such as a photography studio and a fashion design studio, a ceramics and carpentry workshop, and a center with laser cutting machines and 3D printers.
Source: ArchDaily
Go Today Shaire Salon – Tokyo, Japan
This is an original coworking space that is especially focused on the hairdressing sector. A place where those self-employed stylists who are starting to practice professionally can rent a space to serve their clients.
This idea arises from the need that stylists have for a space to start practicing when they still cannot afford to open their own beauty salon. The spaces offered by Go Today Shaire Salon are a more economical and flexible option for them, compared to the alternative of renting a space in someone else's salon, where they would have to adapt to the owner's schedules and sacrifice a portion of their income.
Go Today Shaire Salon is an example of how coworking can help create and boost a community, not only between related sectors, but also within a specific sector.
Source: THE KO
THE KO – Newtown, Australia
THE KO is a coworking space that offers entrepreneurs and small businesses a space to work, connect, be inspired and grow. Among its spaces, it has a photography studio, a fully equipped kitchen, a gallery, and an area for events such as classes, workshops, demonstrations and celebrations.
Its founders have a background in advertising, gastronomy and design. Therefore, their mission at THE KO is to promote collaboration and inspiration through the gastronomic, wine, art and design industries, as well as to promote the creative community of the region.
Source: Startup Village
Startup Village – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Startup Village is a coworking space located in a science park in Amsterdam, whose community focuses on professionals and startups dedicated to artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
Its original spaces formed by a set of containers, offer users a place for connection, collaboration and exchange of knowledge through coworking and different events.
Source: KoHub
KoHub – Koh Lanta, Thailand
Can you imagine a coworking space in the middle of a tropical island? That's KoHub. Located on the island of Koh Lanta in southern Thailand, KoHub offers digital nomads and teleworkers a paradisiacal place to work.
In addition to workspaces with air conditioning, high-speed internet and other technological tools, this coworking space offers its users outdoor areas, spaces for yoga and meditation, and rest areas with hammocks, among other amenities.
Coworking spaces in Spain
The concept of coworking began to gain strength in Spain from 2008 onwards, as a response to the need for flexible workspaces for professionals affected by the financial crisis.
However, it was not until 2015 that coworking spaces began to transform into innovative and specialized spaces for the development and promotion of communities of entrepreneurs and business people in the country.
Here are some coworking spaces in Spain that have an innovative offer for the entrepreneurial community.
Source: wayCO
wayCO – Valencia
The coworking space wayCO offers spaces for companies, freelancers, and digital nomads with locations in the key neighborhoods of Valencia, Abastos, and Ruzafa.
In addition to flexible workspaces, wayCO has meeting rooms, training rooms, event rooms, spaces for audiovisual locations, streaming training, cultural events, interviews, etc. This promotes collaboration and the exchange of knowledge among its community.
Source: Itnig
Itnig – Barcelona
Located in the 22@ district of Barcelona, Itnig offers coworking space for freelancers and technology companies looking for a workplace with a dynamic environment to continue growing.
Its coworking spaces have all services included, spaces for events, and amenities such as a Ping-Pong table and Foosball. In addition, Itnig has an investment fund for startups, a weekly podcast where business cases are discussed, and an agenda of events for entrepreneurs.
Aticco Bogatell
Aticco – Barcelona and Madrid
Aticco is an innovative ecosystem that helps connect people and projects to make them grow. Through its Aticco Workspaces division, it offers workspaces in multiple locations in key neighborhoods for entrepreneurs and businessmen, such as coworking in Barcelona and coworking in Madrid.
Aticco's coworking spaces have all services included, a wide agenda of training and networking events, and amenities such as terraces, rest areas and a swimming pool.
In addition, Aticco offers coliving and startup acceleration services through its Aticco Living and AticcoLab divisions.
Source: Sende
Sende – Lobeira
A rural coworking space located within a village of 20 inhabitants in northern Spain, that is Sende. A space that allows its users to work surrounded by nature and fresh air. All within an environment that facilitates sparking creativity, developing new projects, and meeting other professionals from different parts of the world.
In addition to work rooms and outdoor areas, Sende offers its users coliving spaces within its facilities.
Source: MOB
MOB (Makers Of Barcelona) – Barcelona
MOB is a community of entrepreneurs and creatives that make up the first creative hub in Barcelona. Their vision is to achieve a world in which everyone feels empowered to innovate, where creativity is celebrated, and technology promotes equality.
Makers of Barcelona has two coworking space locations, located in the Sant Antoni and Eixample neighborhoods. It offers different plans and services for both self-employed professionals and work teams.
