Co-Founder and CEO of Industrious, Jamie Hodari, has a ton of data of what folks want in a workplace gleaned from over 5 years of designing coworking spaces and open offices. No surprise an office or desk by a window is right up there on the me-want-list. A few lesser known insights, although sort of a no-brainer, is that workers are more productive if they move around. As Hodari suggests, we humans weren’t built to “sit in one spot for eight or nine hours a day”. (5 min read)
A tip of the old hat to The Glenlivet for a series with Forbe’s paying tribute to female founders — brave women who are challenging assumptions in business and culture. One of the profiles is on Amy Nelson, founder and CEO of The Riveter, a women’s-first coworking space in Seattle (and Los Angeles). Yes, more and more spaces will become niche-oriented. By Industry, Demographic, Lifestyle, Design and by Gender. It’s a natural evolution of our growing movement. Fully supportive. Oh by the way, if you do click through, keep scrolling down to read more inspiring stories of fearless female founders. (3 min read)
While we’re on the subject of niche-oriented workspaces, did you know that the current number of 14,411 spaces is expected to reach 30,000 by 2022? That’s about 8 new coworking spaces each and every day. And while not everyone will be a WeWork or an Industrious or UCommune, or Convene, with hundreds of new spaces opening every month, it’s no wonder independent operators are urged to specialize their offering to compete with the big boys and girls. (4 min read)
A Coworking Space. On 7 floors. In the Jewelry District. In DTLA (Downtown Los Angeles). With the working title - Green Street. Here’s the best part - only folks and startups working in the high-growth cannabis industry need apply. Could be a bit of a buzzkill for the soon-to-open The Paragon Space, a cannabis-only coworking space up the street in Hollywood. (2 min read)
Another trend on the rise is the new breeds of workspace-meets-social-clubs. “Our community is very...specific,” says Francesco Costa, New-York-based cofounder of Spring Place. “People today identify themselves through what they do,” he continues. “This place isn’t just a workspace. You come here because it tells you who you are.” Keep an eye on this space, methinks things are going to get pretty creative around here. (5 min read)
Finally, a few new spaces (at least new to me). The Articulate, a space for creative professionals in Fort Collins, Colorado (the video on their home page is something truly creative and magical). The Exchange 202, in Mobile Alabama. The Hivery, releasing the potential of women, in Mill Valley, Northern California. Hubb Coworking in Miami, Florida. Brick House Blue in Dublin, Ohio.
This Week in Coworking shares trends in design and UX (to keep you inspired), alerts you to the challenges and opportunities that could be a blind-spot (to keep you on your toes), and increases the signal-to-noise ratio (to keep you focused). Your time is precious. Enjoy.