What is coworking, how does it work and what is it for?

It is becoming more and more common to hear the term coworking when talking about current work models or new work spaces, but do you know what differentiates a coworking space from a traditional office? What are the advantages of working from a coworking space instead of a coffee shop or from home? Who is coworking for? 

Here we tell you everything you need to know to understand coworking.

Meaning of Coworking: definition

The term coworking refers to a shared physical workspace where professionals with different profiles and work structures converge, from freelancers, entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses to even large companies.  

According to Wikipedia, coworking is defined as a way of working that allows professionals to share the same workspace, both physical and virtual, to develop their professional projects independently, while promoting joint projects.

What mainly differentiates a coworking from a traditional office are the unique spaces that make it up, which are what gives it the possibility of shared work among its users, the coworkers. But a coworking is more than just a workspace occupied by professionals from different sectors, what really distinguishes it is the way in which these spaces and the dynamics they generate encourage the connection between coworkers, as well as the many benefits itoffers to them.

How does coworking work and what is it for?

A coworking has different types of spaces and hiring plans for professionals who decide to adopt it as their workspace, and one of the characteristics that distinguishes them is their flexibility.

On the one hand, they have flexible spaces that are designed to designed to enhance creativity and let ideas flow and to let ideas flow, but above all, to adapt to new working adapt to new work models and the needs of their users..

On the other hand, they offer different plans that adapt to the work style of professionals and entrepreneurs, as well as to their space needs according to the size of each team.

What services does a coworking facility offer?

Another important feature of a coworking space is that the plans they offer are all inclusive of all services included. First of all, a workspace equipped and ready for the user to and ready for the user to simply walk in with his laptop and start working, and not only that, but it also includes everything he may need during his day to day life. These services may include:

• High-speed Internet
• Printers
• 24/7 access
• Free coffee and tea
• Rest areas 
• Terraces or green areas
• Cafeteria or canteen 
• Amenities

What types of coworking spaces are there?

You may wonder what we mean when we talk about flexible coworking spaces. Here we tell you about the different types of space that coworking usually offers so that users can choose the one that best suits their needs.

Hot desk

The term hot desk is used to define a workspace where the worker does not have a fixed desk. Every day he/she can occupy a different place within a shared space, that is, together with other coworkers.   

This type of space is ideal for those professionals who perform hybrid work or telecommuting, who are constantly moving in or out of the city and need a place to work in each location, or who simply do not need to be in a fixed location to perform their duties.

Desk or office in shared space

Shared spaces in a coworking are a set of desks located in a large and open area. Here users can, according to their needs, take a place, a desk, or even form a shared office with several desks within the same space.

This is an economical option for those who are looking for a fixed workspace, either independently or in a team, and who also value the coexistence with other coworkers around them.

Private office

A coworking also offers professionals the option of having a private office that adapts to their needs within its facilities. Although this space is exclusive to the coworkers who use it, they can also make use of the shared spaces and other coworking amenities. 

This option is ideal for those teams that are looking for more privacy, but at the same time need flexibility.  

In addition, the coworking offers its users areas such as meeting rooms, rest areas, spaces for events, call and videoconference booths, y terracesamong other spaces that provide users with multiple options to enhance their work activities, as well as to facilitate networking with other coworkers.

What can't be missing in a coworking?

As we mentioned before, one of the most important elements for a coworking is its community of coworkers. community of coworkersand that is why it also seeks to networking among them, i.e., those actions and activities that allow them tothat is, those actions and activities that allow them to establish connections and expand their network of contacts with like-minded professionals, in order to generate synergies and business opportunities, either in the short, medium or long term.

This is mainly due to the fact that coworking provides its users with amenities and rest areas or terraces that facilitate coexistence and networking. 

At Aticco Workspaces we go a step further by also offering a wide variety of events and activities exclusively for coworkers where they can get to know each other, establish connections, and at the same time have a good time.

What are the advantages of coworking?

In recent years, work modalities such as teleworking and hybrid work have been hybrid work have become increasingly important, both in the world of entrepreneurship and in the world of SMEs and large companies, and many people think that the only option they have is to work from home or from a coffee shop, or to rent a traditional office.

Coworking is a workspace designed to promote these new ways of working, and it offers multiple advantages advantages for modern professionals and companies. Some of these advantages are:

• A coworking offers a workspace equipped and ready for the and ready for the user to start working immediately.
• Coworking helps to reduce costs because coworking plans plans are much cheaper and easier to manage and easier to manage than renting a traditional than renting a traditional office.
• Coworking spaces are designed to enhance creativity and enhance the creativity and well-being of coworkers..
• For self-employed or telecommuting professionals, coworking offers a space where they can concentratewhich gives them more professionalism professionalism and allows them to separate their work life from their personal life..
• Coworking offers its users multiple spaces, workshops, events and networking workshops, events and activities to network and enjoy with the coworking community. and enjoy with the coworking community.
• Coworking facilities are usually located in central, well-connected and centrally located, well communicated and attractive sites within the city, which is a benefit not only for the coworkers within the city, which is a benefit not only for coworkers, but also for their clients.
• Normally coworking spaces generate a good atmosphere that favors communication, creativity and good vibes among its members, which greatly among its members, which greatly favors productivity and the work environment.
• The dynamics of interaction and networking that are generated in a coworking favor the attraction of talent. attraction of talent. Coworkers can create a network of contacts in which they can find people interested in joining their project, as well as projects with which they would be interested in collaborating.

What are the disadvantages of coworking?

Although coworking is gaining more and more weight as a workspace among professionals and entrepreneurs, they may not always be the right choice for all types of companies or work teams. These are some of the drawbacks that a person or group of people looking to have their workspace in a coworking space may encounter:  

• Shared coworking spaces offer less privacy than a conventional office. This can be inconvenient for professionals or teams working on confidential matters or who prefer to work unaccompanied. However, although it is not the most economical option, users can always choose to set up a private office within the coworking space and still enjoy all its benefits without losing privacy. 
• Currently the offer of coworking spaces in many cities around the world is quite wide, and for professionals it can take time and some patience to navigate through all the options until they choose the one that best suits their needs. One way to make the search easier is to start by filtering by location, and then selecting according to the particularities that differentiate them from each other.
  Aticco has Coworking locations in Madrid and Barcelona that offer flexible work spaces within the innovative ecosystem of AticcoThe Coworking Center has Coworking locations in Madrid and Barcelona that offer flexible workspaces within the innovative ecosystem, adapted to the new generations and the values of innovative companies, as well as a series of services, events and activities that favor the creation of connections and opportunities for its community.
• For those professionals who prefer to work in silence or who need to make constant calls, shared spaces may not be the best option. However, a coworking space has meeting rooms and booths for calls or videoconferences that help to solve this problem. 
• Compared to renting a conventional office, coworking is much more economical because the service and maintenance costs are shared. However, compared to working from home it is a higher expense. In this sense, it should also be noted that a coworking offers more than just a desk or an office, it also offers different areas to work and network, activities such as workshops and events, among other benefits that can contribute to the growth of a business.

Who is coworking for?

The profiles of professionals that you can find in a coworking are increasingly varied. They can range from digital nomads (professionals who use new technologies to work and go from one place to another without settling in one place permanently), freelancers, entrepreneurs or startups, to entrepreneurs looking to innovate in their work models. These professionals who live in a coworking space are called coworkers.

The coworker

A coworker by definition could be understood as a person with whom you work or with whom you share a workspace even if he or she is not your teammate. However, when we talk about coworking it is much more than that. It is a member of a community of professionals that seeks to create connections and generate synergies to boost professional growth.

Although the profiles and professional sectors of coworkers are so diverse, these are some of the characteristics that distinguish them: 

• They are collaboratorsThey are willing to share their experience and knowledge, and actively contribute to a good atmosphere in the coworking space, which is conducive to grow and create with the other professionals who live there.
• They are driven by innovation and creativityThey like to develop new ideas and are not afraid of change for the better.
• They are passionate are passionate about their projects, have clear objectives and are determined to go for them.
• They have concerns and questions that they seek to answer, as well as a great interest in learning and growing. interest in learning and growing.

Coworking spaces are designed with these professionals in mind, with the aim of helping them grow and take advantage of all the qualities that characterize them.

What are the main characteristics of co-working spaces?

Coworking spaces are shared work areas where companies, startups, entrepreneurs, freelancers and professionals in general carry out their activities in a collaborative and community environment. Some of the main characteristics of this type of workspaces are:

• Flexibility: A coworking offers flexible spaces that adapt to new work models and help to enhance the creativity of its users. But they are also spaces that are characterized by offering plans that adapt to the needs of all types of professionals. From a freelancer who does not need a fixed workstation, but a space where they can meet with their clients and have networking opportunities, to a company looking for a balance between having a private office and spaces to share with other professionals.
• Community: Coworking promotes the creation of communities of professionals by providing them with areas and events that facilitate networking and a good understanding of collaborative work.
• Amenities: Normally these spaces have different amenities, rest areas or terraces that allow the user to disconnect, socialize with other professionals and network. From cafeterias and kitchen areas, meeting rooms and event spaces, to playgrounds or even a swimming pool, the variety of amenities offered by a coworking space is becoming increasingly wide.
• Services: A coworking space is also characterized by having all the services included for its users. A workplace equipped so that they can start working from their first day, high speed internet, printers, 24/7 access, free coffee and tea, are some of the most common services in coworking spaces.
• Diversity: In a coworking you can find professionals from different sectors and with very varied profiles. This contributes to the creation of a multidisciplinary community from which collaboration opportunities can arise among its members.
• Professional development: In addition to fully serviced workspaces, a coworking facility usually also provides its users with training opportunities through events, workshops and programs to boost their projects.

What areas or spaces does a coworking need to have?

A coworking usually has different types of spaces to suit the needs of its users, among them you can find:

• Shared workspaces: Set of desks located in large and open areas, where both freelancers and work teams share the space.
• Private offices: Exclusive workspaces for a specific company or team. These areas provide users with greater privacy within the coworking space, while still having access to the shared spaces and other coworking amenities.
• Meeting rooms: Coworking spaces have meeting rooms of different capacities and equipped with everything necessary for their users to hold meetings with their teams, presentations and interviews in a private and professional manner.
• Call booths: They also have individual use booths designed to make calls and videoconferences without interruptions from outside noise, and without disturbing other coworkers.
• Rest areas and terraces: Areas designed for users to socialize, have an informal meeting or simply disconnect and enjoy a moment of relaxation during their workday. These spaces usually have comfortable furniture and amenities such as play areas or even a swimming pool.
• Kitchen, dining room and canteen: Shared spaces equipped with everything necessary for the coworker to enjoy lunch every day. In addition, many coworking spaces usually also have a canteen where users can find anything from a cup of coffee or a snack to their lunch for the day.
• Spaces for events: A coworking is usually the venue for conferences, workshops, and events of different formats, therefore they have flexible spaces that adapt to the needs of each one of them.

What can you do in a coworking?

A coworking space is a shared workspace that has different services and amenities, and where professionals of different profiles coexist. Some of the things you can do in this type of spaces are:

• Working independently or with your team: They are the ideal environment to work both individually and in a team. Whether it's performing daily tasks, meeting with your colleagues, or making a presentation to your clients, a coworking offers you everything you need for all your work activities.
• Network and collaborate with other professionals: A coworking is a great place to meet other like-minded professionals, expand your network, and create opportunities for collaboration to boost your business.
• Attend professional events: Many coworking spaces organize training and networking events with different themes that offer their users valuable learning opportunities and platforms to connect with other professionals.
• Create community: The different spaces and activities offered by a coworking help to foster coexistence and the creation of professional connections among its members, who become a community.

Why did the coworking concept arise?

The term coworking was first used in 1999 by the American video game designer Bernie DeKoven, which for him meant "working together as equals". Although it was a few years earlier, in 1995, that one of the first spaces considered coworking in Berlin was born, the C-Base. Where a group of people who knew each other and had things in common had the need for a workspace and decided to share it, becoming a community.

Subsequently, this type of workspace began to gain popularity, especially among entrepreneurs and freelancers, until 2005, when programmer Brad Neuberg opened the first space officially known as a coworking space, the Hat Factory, in San Francisco, USA.

Since then, coworking has continued to grow around the world, and today we can find a wide range of flexible and innovative spaces where communities of multidisciplinary professionals live together.