10 coworking spaces where design works

salonemilano, coworking

Linden Palais, Berlin

Need a sofa to meet a colleague or a desk to work on your laptop? Try this selection of places conceived with design at the core

After the Covid boom, where they opened all over the world (and then closed), coworking spaces have become real communities for professionals, with daily, monthly or annual subscriptions and where entire teams can find each other to work, especially in the case of “full remote” startups. The goal is always to encourage interaction in common areas while trying to reduce that sense of isolation and loneliness that is created even when the space is shared. Even a café are excellent spaces for working remotely, but the ones on this list are created with the specific purpose of facilitating work through excellent connections, comfort with impeccable furnishings, meeting rooms but also gyms, pools, terraces and gardens with which to soothe, even if very superficially, the alienation of living a life in front of a screen. Here is a selection of coworking spaces where design takes center stage. 

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Second Home, Hollywood

Second Home, Hollywood

Opened in the midst of the pandemic, Second Home is the transformation of a parking lot into a Garden of Eden where one can work surrounded by greenery. The project, signed by SelgasCano, is very striking in its simplicity: transparent organic pavilions housing offices from which one appreciates a deep perspective with the gaze spanning the entire length of the lot. Between one pavilion and the next, relaxation areas surrounded by tropical vegetation. 

Where: 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles 

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                    Boitsfort, Brussels

Boitsfort, Brussels

A modernist icon designed by Constantin Brodzki in 1967 using 756 prefabricated oval facade panels, it has been repurposed as a co-working space by Belgian firm Going East, commissioned by Fosbury & Sons. It consists of 7,000 square meters of space spread over seven of the building’s nine floors. In addition to common areas, the “Giorgio” bar with panoramic views of the Soignes Forest, there are 15 meeting rooms and an auditorium. The interiors are recognizable by the rich textures on the walls and the choice of iconic furniture such as S 64 chairs by Thonet.

Where: Chaussée de la Hulpe 185, 1170 Watermael-Boitsfort, Brussels 

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WeWork Wihai Lu, Shanghai 

WeWork Wihai Lu, Shanghai 

Once an opium factory and later an artists’ residence, this colonial building is now one of WeWork's Shanghai offices. Renovated by the design firm Linehouse – founded by Alex Mok and Briar Hickling and with offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong and New Zealand – it preserves the original brick facades and large windows, giving the feeling of being on an “unexpected journey between whimsy, voyeurism and celebration,” as stated by the designers. The focal point of the project is the large covered atrium reminiscent of a tropical oriental lounge. 

Where: 696 Weihai Road Jing'an District Shangha

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Big and Tiny, Santa Monica 

Big and Tiny, Santa Monica 

A place where adults can work together with little ones. The coworking space designed by Madrid-based Zooco Estudio features bespoke and scenographic interiors accompanied by furnishings that bear the signature of Scandinavian brands with their soft lines and ergonomic comfort. The use of neutral colors and natural materials, such as light wood and painted metal, helps create a space that encourages concentration and creativity, also suitable for the playful activities of children. 

Where: 1444 10th st - Santa Monica, CA 

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Linden Palais, Berlin 

Linden Palais, Berlin

Formerly the headquarters of the French Embassy in Berlin, the Linden Palais offers nearly 5,000 sqm of work space spread over seven floors, with breathtaking views of the city. Built in 1908, it is one of the few buildings that survived World War II, featuring historic decorations, mosaics and marble inlays that contrast with modern workspaces. Renovated by Danish firm Norm Architects, it offers different types of spaces, from flexible desks to private offices, and also includes open kitchens, a rooftop terrace, and a welcoming courtyard. 

Where: Unter den Linden 40, 10117 Berlin  

salonemilano, coworking

Brains and Bodies Coworking, Vienna 

 

Brains and Bodies Coworking, Vienna 

This project by Austrian firm cy architecture focuses on a design that promotes user well-being and productivity with a workspace that integrates work and sports. Common areas are designed to encourage social interaction and collaboration, while individual work areas offer privacy and comfort. The presence of plants and neutral colors encourage a relaxed atmosphere, with must-have office furniture such as Arper’s Catifa 46 and 80 models.

Where: Webgasse 43, 1060, Vienna.  

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Público Condesa, Città del Messico 

Público Condesa, Mexico City 

A coworking space located in a 20th-century building in Mexico City, overlooking the Castillo de Chapultepec near Reforma, Avenida Chapultepec and the Bosque de Chapultepec. It combines modern elements with historic details and local craftsmanship. The exposed brick facade is accompanied by large windows that promote abundant natural lighting, connecting the interior with the exterior and complementing the surrounding greenery. The use of natural materials, such as wood and metal, lends a sense of warmth and welcome. 

Where: Puebla 403 Colonia Roma Norte, CDMX 

salonemilano, coworking

Ten Studio, Tarragona

Ten Studio, Tarragona 

NAM Arquitectura renovated a space designed to encourage collaboration in common areas, with individual workstations providing the necessary privacy.The use of simple architectural elements, such as glass walls and wooden structures, helps define the different zones of the space, facilitating a smooth transition between environments. The project also incorporates the concept of sustainability, with solutions that optimize energy efficiency and reduce environmental mpact. 

Where: Carrer Méndez Núñez, 10, 43004 Tarragona 

salonemilano, coworking

                                               Spacial, Quebec 

Spacial, Quebec 

Designed by Ivystudio, Spacial reinterprets the coworking concept through innovative design and strategic use of eco-friendly materials. Developed over an area of approximately 1,600 square meters on two levels, Spacial features bamboo floors for durability and sustainability, along with plaster walls and bold colours that overall contribute to a calm and welcoming atmosphere. Ergonomic furnishings were selected for comfort and functionality. 

Where: 4012 Avenue Wellington, Verdun, QC 

salonemilano, coworking

Talent Garden Milano

Talent Garden Milan

With a strong industrial character, this is one of Milan’s best-known coworking spaces thanks in part to its swimming pool. Designed by Carlo Ratti Associati, the Talent Garden at Via Arcivescovo Calabiana 6 presents wooden walls and green elements integrated into the space that enhance the overall atmosphere and promote members’ well-being. The space can also host events. 

Where: Via Arcivescovo Calabiana, 6, Milan, Italy. 

4 October 2024
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