In order to construct this framework, I considered the common needs of all users of shared workspace: cafés with WiFi, shared offices, third spaces, fablabs, etc. I wanted to remain as open as possible and so expressly avoided attaching importance to any need in particular.

I remarked however that, amongst the numerous needs that coworking spaces could fulfil, they all fell into one of two broad groups. There were firstly those which were of a purely practical nature: easy access to one’s space, adequate shared infrastructure, access to a larger network of potential partners…

And there are also needs which relate to the general environment of the workplace: expanding and enriching social and business circles, working in an environment that stimulates creativity, to have access to a quiet space conducive to concentration…

To conceive this framework, I used the Harvard Business Review as my basis, which establishes the characteristics of a collaborative workspace. I also examined the precious studies conducted by Deskmag, while making constant reference to the ‘Coworking Values’ and the Maslow Pyramid.

Finally, during the Coworking Weekend organized by a number of active members of the French coworking community, I took part in a workshop discussing architectural considerations for shared workspaces. I benefited greatly from presenting my framework to Francesco Cingolani, mutineer architect specializing in parametric architecture, and great connoisseur of collaborative spaces. He provided much support and advice which deepened and enriched my work. (Thank you Francesco!)

All these sources of inspiration came together to create a visual that joins six axes: accessibility, shared means, shared energies, proximity, permission, and privacy.

These axes allow us to position a space (or future space) in a very large universe of needs that are potentially fulfilled by third spaces and shared workspace.

The next part of the article explains and explores each element of the framework. It provides several key elements to develop each axis. I also drafted a series of questions allowing the creation of a graph relative to a (future) space. I stress that, like all ‘evaluation systems’, this image reflects one aspect of the bigger picture. It aims to shed light on reflections, but is in no way a judging mechanism:

1/ Accessibility

Accessibility is, of course, the geographical proximity of the space to the coworker’s dwelling, but ‘accessibility’ goes far beyond this. The general rule is that, the easier it is to enter and exit the space, the more ‘accessible’ that space is.

A space where coworkers can pay by the hour would be considered more accessible than a space that requires a membership of a minimum of one month. A space that is open between 8:00 and 22:oo would be considered more accessible than one that has shorter opening hours. A space that provides keys to its coworkers is more accessible than one that does not.

This said, being too readily accessible can diminish the level of privacy, and can also affect the degree of closeness between members.

Architectural ambiance: café, train or bus station, public square, forum, bar

Properties: openness, visibility, welcoming, attractive, simplicity

Furniture: an importance on decorative elements, unique style, functional furniture

The building: visible and accessible facade, perfected admittance process, café area/welcome desk

Questions: (‘Yes’ = 1 point, ‘No’ or ‘Not Applicable’ = 0 points. When adding points, note the criteria for which each point is allocated)

1. Is your space open for more than 10 hours per week?
2. Is your space open for coworking at the weekends?
3. Is your space open to anyone?
4. Do your coworkers have their own keys?
5. Is it open to people with all professional backgrounds?
6. Is the space located in close proximity to its members?
7. Is the space open at night (after 9pm)?
8. Is there an hourly or half-day rate?
9. Is there a daily rate?
10. Is there public transport nearby?

2/ Pooling of resources

Some kinds of work need a high level of equipment; sewing machines for stylists, 3D printers or specialized tools for artists and creative workers… When workers become independent, their access to this machinery may be limited or more difficult. They are thus highly interested in a shared workspace that gives them access to the tools they need. In a coworking space, equipment can range from a chair, desk and Wifi to a fully equipped workshop that suffice to build a prototype.

Careful consideration should be paid to the level of and amount of equipment to avoid negative implications, including an increase in prices (machinery, and maintenance, are not free) and the danger of becoming too specialized, which may reduce the openness of the place and its ability to cross skills.

Architectural ambience: workshop, factory, construction site, garage

Properties: well-lit, chaotic, permissive, unfinished, technologically advanced…

Furniture: DIY area with (power) tools, self-made furniture by the coworkers themselves

The building: space centered around an area with machinery and tools, separated areas that are more noisy, painted walls and floors

Questions:

1. Are (the majority) of the workspaces shared?
2. Does the space have at least one communal area?
3. Is there a printer, photocopier and scanner at the coworkers’ disposal?
4. Is there a secretary, accountant, or technical assistance made available for coworkers?
5. Does the space provide a virtual address/postage service or storage service (for materials or digital data)?
6. Does the space provide a shared land-line?
7. Is the space fitted with a communal workshop (fablab)?
8. Does the space provide access to shared production tools (3D printers, sewing machines, musical instruments, photographic equipment, audiovisual production equipment)?
9. Does the space have at least one of the following areas: shared shop front, childcare facilities, recording studio or darkroom?
10. Is there an event space and relevant amenities, including projectors, whiteboards, etc?

3/ Shared Energies

One of the strongest assertions of the coworking movement is that workers need a physical place to work: a place to pool their energies, skills and good ideas, even if they could actually work from everywhere. A coworking space should therefore be designed in a way that allows for the dissemination of energies; a place where ideas and skills can be fertilized and cross-pollinated.

A place highly focused on pooling energies will gather different and complementary profiles. It will organize events, workshops and meetups that help members carry out their projects and deliver them to wider audiences. Space operators will need to help coworkers find the partnerships and the skills they need.

However, make sure that coworkers are not too solicited by their environment so that they are not distracted from their core activities.

Architectural ambiance: theatre, event space, forum, market place

Properties: openness, transparency, diversity

Furniture: mobile desks and chairs, presentation stages, projection equipment, diverse spaces, presentation equipment (black/whiteboards, screens…), round tables

The building: welcoming and visible facade, warm and dynamic colour scheme, organized around a central axis point that facilitates meetings, central meeting points (coffee machines, restrooms…)

Questions :

1. Is the space open to everyone?
2. Does the space regularly host events that are open to non-members (more than once per week)?
3. Do the coworkers have access to an internal social network/intranet?
4. Do the space managers organize events designed to introduce coworkers to one another on a regular basis?
5. Does the space host member events on a regular basis (more than once per week)?
6. Is there a monthly (or less) membership plan?
7. On average, does the space host more than 30 coworkers each day?
8. Amongst the staff, is there a person whose specific job is to connect members and put them in contact with one another?
9. Does the space offer workshops or courses to its members?
10. Does the space frequently communicate its members’ projects’ via its own communication channels (at least once per week)?

4/ Proximity

This criteria may seem similar to the previous one, but it is quite different. While pooling energies is about upgrading the coworkers’ projects and skills, the level of proximity is more about instilling trust and friendship between coworkers with an implicit (and voluntary) goal of increasing the pooling of energies.

Proximity does not have a precise or well defined objective. It represents the random, frictional part of coworking. It comes from sharing resources, working side by side with others, sharing joys and sorrows, valuing serendipity… these can be achieved by including areas of friction in the space design: put the coffee machines close to the printers, organize random parties, allow spontaneous events to happen, let long-term, non-professional relationships flourish and stay close to your community… But ensure that people complete their work without being disturbed; proximity should not turn into promiscuity!

Architectural ambiance: bar, kitchen, social event, club

Properties: Fraternity, confidence, frankness, complicity

Furniture: cosy chairs and couches, dining tables, kitchen mixer/printing station

Building: walkways encouraging meetings and exchanging glances

Questions:

1. Is there a dedicated for convivial exchange in the space (café, communal kitchen…)?
2. Do coworkers mainly work on flexible or ‘hot-desks’ (rather than fixed workstations)?
3. Is the spaces limited to teams of three members or less?
4. In the space, do the majority of coworkers share the same open space?
5. Do coworkers often eat meals together?
6. Does your space hold less than 30 people at a time?
7. Does the space have games (fussball or table-tennis table, board games, games console)?
8. Within the space, do you often help or attend spontaneous events between coworkers: after-work drinks, games, joint projects… (at least once per week)?
9. Do most of the coworkers in your space know the names of at least half of the other coworkers in the community?
10. Do you organize members-only events at least twice per month?

5/ Permission

A permissive place is easily approachable and customizable. It is designed to have various goals and no limits… In a highly permissive place, coworkers are free to bring their own belongings, to model their own space and propose new ideas, new events or invite new members. These spaces are likely to be multifunctional: places designed for working, socializing, playing or organizing events. It inspires creativity and innovation in members. On the other hand, these types of spaces can be messier, harder to manage and will require a high level of trust between members.

Architectural ambience: like a home, kitchen, laboratory or workshop

Properties: minimalist, unfinished, cosmopolitan, rough, simple, flexible, DIY, modular/changeable

Furniture: materials that can be crafted or manipulated (cheap and solid), recycled and re-usable materials (pallets, trestles, furniture on wheels), equipment for self-expression (blackboards, guest-books, suggestion boxes), exhibition areas (paintings and works of art)

The building: raw concrete, white paint, neutral colours, picture rails, cables and insulation pipes on the ceiling

Questions:

1. Are the coworkers involved in the overall governance of the space?
2. If the space is an association, are the coworkers members of that association or organization?
3. Can members eat and/or drink in the work areas?
4. Does the space have an interactive members’ wall?
5. Can members prepare meals in the space during the day?
6. Do members initiate events?
7. Did the coworkers help in arranging the space?
8. Is there an internal social network/intranet?
9. Are there often social or non-work related gatherings organized in your space?
10. Is the space adaptible and flexible (tables moved often, furniture often rearranged…)?

6/Privacy

In the context of coworking, privacy does not only mean data security and confidentiality. It also includes isolated, calm and comfortable areas to stay focus as long as necessary. Most coworking communities need these types of areas at some point. Some kinds of workers – like jurisdictional workers, for example – require a high level of privacy, but impart valuable skills to your community. Privacy can be achieved by minimizing the turnover rate of coworkers, establishing a higher degree of trust within the space and providing isolated areas (meeting rooms, phoning boxes etc). Like other criteria, it is important to find a balance. Too much privacy can inhibit the friction and serendipitous instances within a space that are equally valuable for most coworkers.

Architectural ambiance: private club, library, guild or association…

Properties: silence, calm, soft lighting, protection, confidence, respect

Furniture: Soft-light lamps, concertina walls, curtains and drapes, cosy furniture

The building: Call box, sound minimizing barriers, permanent partitions and alcoves affording isolation, spaces for discrete meetings (meeting rooms, welcome area, separated workspaces), discrete facade

Questions:

1. Does the space have a separate meeting room?
2. Does the space have several isolated rooms and/or a telephone booth?
3. Does the space silent or quiet areas?
4. Does the space have an interactive members’ wall?
5. Is minimal membership engagement more than one month?
6. Do you have a backup service for coworkers’ digital data?
7. Are the majority of workstations private?
8. Does the space have lockers or lockable storage areas?
9. Is the space under video surveillance?
10. Is there an area for repose or rest?

This article has been translated by Deskmag