Art Fusion in Coworking Spaces: 5 Inspiring Examples of Creative Work Environments

The Covid crisis has turned our modern way of working upside down, and in the post-pandemic era, no company can remain traditional.

New technologies and the development of the internet have led to more and more companies encouraging their employees to work from home. Large, costly offices have drastically declined in popularity.

They are particularly unsuitable for people who work creatively. Many creative professionals, such as digital designers, illustrators, artists, and writers, prefer to work in more comfortable environments than offices can ever offer – from home, in cafes, or simply in coworking hubs .

According to current studies, more than 1.2 million people prefer to work in approximately 19,000 coworking spaces worldwide . This number is sure to increase in the coming years. Coworking leads to greater opportunities for development and personal growth. Therefore, the number of coworking spaces for creative professionals is estimated to grow to around 43,000 by 2025 (source: Statista).

For those who work as freelancers or run their own businesses in creative fields, using coworking spaces is ideal. For example, digital nomads, Photoshop professionals, video producers, artists, writers, and podcast developers can make excellent use of this option, as they become part of a larger creative community full of shared ideas and inspiration.

Today we'd like to introduce you to five unique workspaces that will ignite your creative spark. Whether you work in Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Munich, Vienna, Salzburg, or elsewhere, these coworking spaces offer professional work environments and a vibrant community of like-minded individuals.

This article continues with the discussion of how to design a coworking space ideally suited to the needs of creative professionals, based on experiences from some of the best coworking offices in the world.

What are coworking spaces?

Coworking spaces have become a popular trend in recent years, appealing to professionals, freelancers, artists, solopreneurs , and companies alike. But what exactly does this term mean?

Coworking spaces are workspaces shared by different people. They offer an alternative to the traditional office and create an inspiring environment that fosters collaboration and creativity

Berlin , a burgeoning city for startups and creative businesses, undoubtedly has the most coworking spaces in Germany. However, these shared workspaces can now be found in almost all medium-sized to larger cities with a population of around 50,000 or more .

Cologne, the Rhine metropolis , is also a special place for coworking: In the middle of the ancient alleys of the city center, surrounded by renowned TV productions and the daily rush to the cathedral, in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the carnival celebrations, between lively shopping streets and the picturesque Rhine riverbank as well as a vibrant queer scene, there are modern coworking spaces with highly flexible rental conditions (more at Coworking Cologne ).

One of these spaces is located near Rudolfplatz and offers not only an inspiring working atmosphere but also a broad network of like-minded individuals. Freelancers, start-ups, and established companies from a wide variety of industries meet here to work together and learn from each other.

Hamburg also has a lot to offer: The Port of Hamburg is one of the largest in Europe and attracts millions of tourists every year. But away from the hustle and bustle, there are also coworking spaces with a special flair. Some of them are even located on boats or in old factory buildings – perfect for all creatives looking for new inspiration.

As one of the strongest economic locations in Austria and Europe, the city of Mozart, Salzburg, a veritable office mecca and a mecca for coworkers (see Coworking Salzburg ).

Whether in Berlin, Cologne, Salzburg or Hamburg – coworking has long since become a trend in our country as well and offers numerous advantages over traditional offices.

They offer flexible office options that allow companies to adapt and meet the needs of their employees. From small private offices to large shared spaces, there's a suitable solution for every requirement. This enables a better work-life balance and a customized work environment.

The advantage of a coworking space lies not only in its flexibility but also in the community it fosters. Coworkers have the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from one another. This creates synergies and gives rise to new, innovative ideas. Working alongside other motivated individuals allows you to benefit from their energy and inspiration. The positive work environment in coworking spaces can boost productivity and lead to creative solutions.

In addition, coworking spaces often offer networking events and workshops to further promote collaboration and inspiration. At the same time, coworking spaces provide access to various resources. Many offer modern technical equipment, conference rooms, and common areas that can be used for productive work.

Another important aspect of a coworking space is the professionalism it offers. Companies can provide their employees with a modern and well-equipped workplace without having to worry about setting up and managing their own office.

Sharing resources can save costs while ensuring a high-quality workplace.

Who introduced the term?

The first mention of the word "coworking space" as a shared office space dates back to 2005, when Brad Neuberg , a dreamer and fearless entrepreneur, opened the first coworking space in San Francisco.

The location in Spiral Muse, a feminist community space in San Francisco's Mission District, was "San Francisco Coworking Space" and was only open on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The work environment attracted no visitors in the first month, as the term "coworking space" was completely new to people. They simply didn't know what it was.

Today, coworking has become a global phenomenon with an annual growth rate of 2.1%.

If you're looking for a coworking space, there are several options. One easy way to find the right space is to use online platforms or subscribe to newsletters that regularly provide information about available office space.

How does a coworking space differ from a business center?

The difference between a business center and a coworking space lies in their function and purpose . A business center is typically a commercial building that houses various offices, conference rooms, and services to support businesses in their work environment.

It offers furnished offices, IT infrastructure, reception services, and often support with administrative tasks such as office cleaning and mail services. Business centers are often designed for long-term leases and provide companies with a professional environment to conduct their business.

On the other hand, a coworking space is a shared work concept where various independent professionals, freelancers, and small businesses share a common workspace. Coworking spaces often offer more flexible rental options such as day passes or flexible membership models. They are designed to create a collaborative and social atmosphere and promote the exchange of knowledge and experience among members.

Coworking spaces offer a comfortable working environment, complemented by communal areas, meeting rooms and often additional services such as events, networking opportunities or mentoring.

Overall, it can be said that a business center is geared more towards larger companies that need a professional working environment, while a coworking space is a suitable option for freelance professionals, startups or project teams who value flexibility and collaborative work.

What types of coworking spaces are there?

Coworking spaces offer a whole range of facilities and collaborative working environments, from hot and special desks to dedicated event venues , catering to members working in various business sectors.

Coworking centers vary in size, facilities, specific focus, and location. However, every space shares a common denominator, regardless of its specialization: a collaborative community where the invigorating aroma of coffee, a friendly atmosphere, and an exhilarating drive for creation permeate the air and are palpable to everyone.

Unsurprisingly, the number of niche coworking spaces increasing, as more and more coworking companies try to attract customers by specifically addressing the needs of individuals.

A wide variety of coworking spaces include at least one of the following characteristics or features:

• Multipurpose rooms / common rooms with flexible floor plans
• Studios for visual artists with industrial interiors
• Rooms equipped with ergonomic furniture and utensils to offer residents maximum comfort.
• Private offices for teams that need physical proximity to colleagues but still want to remain connected to the larger ecosystem.
• Makerspaces (Makerspace & Co, Marrickville, Australia) for makers who like to create prototypes and tinker with tools.
• Hackerspaces (Hacker Space, Noida, India) welcome creative artists such as fashion, graphic and interior designers.
• Dance studios (Loom Coworking, Fort Mill, USA) cater to the needs of classical and contemporary dancers.
• Shared studios for artists are ideal for creative minds who work with paint or digital media and enjoy exchanging ideas with other people.
• Studios for photographers and filmmakers
• Pop-up retail spaces
• Special areas in upscale restaurants where pop-up operations are possible
• Family coworking office spaces (Let's Play Coworking, London, UK) where members can bring their babies and still remain productive
• Work areas exclusively for women or female-centric work environments such as Shecosystem, Toronto, Canada
• Rural community spaces or coworking spaces in the countryside, such as Coworking Bansko in Bulgaria, offer digital nomads and freelancers a wonderful opportunity to work from any exotic location on earth. These types of coworking spaces typically also offer co-living options .
• Hybrid, flexible workspaces, such as trendy gym-coworking spaces, are ideal for those who can't imagine a life without sports and exercise. They have all the necessary facilities to stay fit and productive without having to give up anything.
• LGBTQ spaces – Similar to women-only coworking spaces, the idea behind LGBTQ coworking spaces is to provide members with an anti-discriminatory work environment. These spaces can also host workshops aimed at the LGBTQ community and offer networking opportunities.
• Wellness-oriented spaces like WorkWellWin offer programs such as yoga and other events and activities for health.
• Musician-oriented – Coworking spaces geared towards musicians offer recording studios, music equipment shops, photo studios and more.

Coworking at its finest – 5 inspiring examples from around the world

The coolest coworking spaces in the world not only offer everything a digital nomad needs to work; they also amaze us with their incredible look and design. The rise of coworking lost some momentum during the Covid-19 pandemic, but only briefly. While many of us experienced the benefits of working from home, we also saw the drawbacks, namely the lack of human interaction.

In 2023, many are striving for hybrid working , partly at home, partly – well, maybe in the office, but increasingly likely in a coworking space.

But enough said! Here are some of the most creative coworking spaces in the world.

01 Second Home – London, Los Angeles, Lisbon

Second Home is quite possibly the most creative environment in the world, as the video documentary above shows. This area is brimming with creativity, positive vibes, and nature. The natural elements in this environment serve as a catalyst for creative inspiration and innovation.

As the name suggests, it is a workplace and cultural arena for entrepreneurs, inventors, creatives, solopreneurs and social groups.

The self-proclaimed largest urban forest in Los Angeles was designed by the Madrid-based architecture firm SelgasCano , with whom Second Home collaborates on all its locations.

This creative space is filled with 6,500 native Californian plants, representing over 110 different species. Emphasizing the urban jungle , they create a pleasantly green working atmosphere, ideal as a creative oasis in the crowded metropolis.

02 Crew Collective & Café – Montreal

Let's talk about a workplace in a spectacular architectural setting. Number two on our list of the coolest coworking spaces is Montreal's Crew Collective & Cafe .

This stunning 12,000-square-meter coworking space is located in a former Royal Bank in Montreal's Old Town, Quebec. The building dates back to the 1920s, a time when banks were really indulging in architectural extravagance.

Back then, banks were spending a lot of money, which is why the crew's interior boasts a 15-meter-high vaulted ceiling with chandeliers, and everything is clad in marble and bronze. The limestone and sandstone walls are inlaid with the coats of arms of the individual Canadian provinces and crowned with coffered ceilings, elaborately designed by the Italian master Angelo Magnanti using wood, gilding, and plaster.

These rich architectural elements have been carefully restored to preserve a piece of history for future generations. What a workplace!

The challenge of preserving this great heritage while simultaneously transforming the building into a practical coworking space fell to the local architect Henri Cleinge .

He created separate areas for employees, coworking members, meeting room renters, and café customers by facilitating flow through transparent and translucent edges, optimally utilizing the original bank counter as a natural partition, and constructing a complex series of glass walls. Walls between the different areas, with defined access points, are intended to reflect the degree of permanence for each work group.

Visually, it is a stunning, cohesive space, but the separation of the individual rooms is just right, so that you have coworking areas and meeting rooms where you can work in peace, but also a lively public café area.

Employees have 24/7 access to all areas, and the Crew Collective & Café offers a wide range of services. Their professional workspaces include open coworking spaces, modern meeting and conference rooms, and private offices.

Crew is also a publicly accessible creative third-wave café and a venue for special events, all set in a stunning architectural and historical environment.

03 Andwork Shibuya – Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Okinawa

In 2000, the American sociologist Ray Oldenburg explored the idea of ​​a "third place": a public, social space outside of home and work. Andwork in Japan is inspired by the idea of ​​"an office as your third place" and therefore offers the comfort of home, but in a shared co-working space.

Andwork Shibuya is located in a hotel, but you don't have to be a guest to use it. This means that, for example, you can always take a shower or a power nap in the hotel bed whenever you feel stressed.

The premises are located in the trendy Shibuya district in downtown Tokyo and are spread across two floors of the Millennials Hotel (a so-called capsule hotel). It features a large co-working area on the third floor with desks, sofas, booths, and a terrace.

There's also a lounge, a kitchen with complimentary tea and coffee, private phone booths, meeting rooms, and a happy hour with free beer. As you can see in the video, it's very nicely designed and creates a relaxed atmosphere for the workday ahead.

Andwork also has co-working spaces in the Azabu-Juban , as well as in Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka, Kawasaki , and Okinawa . It is popular with both Japanese and international clients, making it a great place to network and meet new people.

04 NeueHouse Bradbury – Los Angeles

If you have a creative job, why work in a boring-looking building when you could be inspired by an architectural marvel like the Bradbury Building in downtown Los Angeles?

The NeueHouse Bradbury is housed in a historic architectural masterpiece dating back to 1893. The building, which has been featured in films, television shows and music videos, including "Blade Runner", is known for its epic, light-filled atrium and detailed wrought ironwork.

Imagine being greeted every time you come here to work: what a way to start the day that would be.

The coworking space spans the entire second floor and was redesigned "cultural home for creators, innovators, and thought leaders." wellness area as well as a café and a bar.

While the premises were modernized, the agency preserved historical elements such as exposed wooden beam ceilings, 11 foot high windows with oak frames and brick fireplaces, thus creating a beautiful and impressive feel-good environment.

The amenities of this space are absolutely fantastic. The Gallery Bar at NeueHouse Hollywood offers both sophisticated and casual dishes, a daytime and evening menu, and a selection of drinks to cater to our members, inspire their creativity, and foster the joy of togetherness and community over food and drinks while enjoying views of Sunset Boulevard.

NeueHouse Bradbury joins the company's existing coworking spaces in Madison Square, New York, and Hollywood, Los Angeles, with further planned spaces in Venice Beach and Miami to follow.

05 MotionLab – Berlin

Let us conclude our journey through the most impressive coworking spaces with an exceptional creative hub in good old Germany.

MotionLab.Berlin is a hardtech innovation center and makerspace that exclusive access to high-end machines and prototyping combined with office space, coworking and community.

From manufacturers and artists to startups and investors: this is where true innovation happens.

MotionLab supports emerging talent, young startups, and other companies specializing in hardware and mobility. Located in a trendy industrial building near Görlitzer Park, the 4,500 square meter facility offers a perfect infrastructure, a large machine room, offices, and an open-plan work environment.

Admittedly, finding the entrance can be a bit of a challenge – however, the third one on Jordanstrasse leads directly into Hall 20. For anyone traveling in Berlin, this place is an important meeting point.

Tips for setting up an ideal coworking space for creatives

Coworking spaces not only reduce operating costs for companies, but also offer great opportunities for creativity, meeting new people from different fields, exchanging ideas, making friends, or finding partners for work and private life.

Finally, let's look at some characteristics of ideal coworking spaces and tips on how to set them up.

A variety of seating options

You should consider the needs of different types of creative professionals who come to the space either to communicate and collaborate or to develop their solo projects in peace and quiet. Therefore, the space around the tables should include café-style benches, office chairs or comfortable armchairs, pods, desks, niches, and much more.

Beanbag chairs, poufs or hammocks are perfect for more creative customers such as designers or writers.

Design that inspires

Creative people appreciate beautiful spaces. Your coworking space should be attractive and aesthetically pleasing. This motivates individuals to become members of your club and spend more time there.

Great design combined with functionality will work wonders by encouraging their pursuit of fresh ideas and innovations.

Office functions

For greater comfort, your coworking space should have some features of a traditional office. Make sure you provide proper lighting, lockers for personal belongings, plenty of power outlets for mobile phones, laptops and USB devices, a dedicated area with copiers and printers, and all the other amenities that contribute to a comfortable office.

These features will make the space more attractive to a wide range of outsourced employees and freelancers.

Coffee and food

When someone works in one place all day, they need snacks, coffee, and water to survive. Self-service coffee is a good idea, as is a snack bar to suit every customer's budget.

You can also run a full-time cafe with healthy dishes, freshly brewed coffee and a welcoming barista.

Work areas with different topics

A coworking space should foster people's creativity and inspire them to come up with new ideas. Creative professionals often need to change their environment. Therefore, consider separate zones for different purposes, such as a quiet zone, a communal area, and something in between.

Design different layouts for each of these types to help users achieve the best results.

Biophilic components promote creativity

Shared workspaces appear more inviting when they include plenty of greenery and houseplants. Natural textures, materials, and colors can also add atmosphere and comfort.

Their purpose is to make the space more comfortable, which can reduce stress levels, increase productivity, help focus on the problem, and lead to amazing results. Plenty of sunlight, earthy colors, and hues help many creative people relax and develop new ideas.

Outdoor workspaces

The idea of ​​bringing employees together at a large round table or sitting comfortably at small tables in a shared room also works perfectly.

The coworking office should be a place where creative people can come together, network, communicate, find advertisers for their podcasts and innovative projects, and become part of a broader coworking culture.

The prices should be reasonable

Keep in mind that most businesses and offices are looking for premises where their employees can work with significant cost savings. Therefore, these spaces shouldn't cost a fortune.

Creative people strive for a comfortable and affordable workspace that helps them develop their projects and then earn money for them.

Therefore, your task is to make your coworking space affordable for these types of professionals. Consider the average monthly cost of a desk on the market. In Europe, for example, it's €190.

Security issues

All companies, project developers, and creative professionals want their projects and sensitive data to remain secure from third parties. Therefore, adherence to security standards is essential, regardless of the type of facilities and applications – offline or online – used by people in your coworking space.

It's better to have a security guard in the lobby, surveillance cameras, and anti-hacking software. Nobody will want to rent a coworking space if it isn't safe and trustworthy.

Suitable location

If a person is creative and looking for a suitable place to develop their projects, commuting over a longer period of time does not seem particularly attractive to them.

Therefore, it is advisable to find a location for your creative coworking space somewhere in the industrial or business district, relatively close to all transport options and parking facilities, shops and other amenities that your customers may need.

Team building programs and events

This can be optional, but you shouldn't underestimate this feature. Creative professionals need to find inspiration somewhere. That's why occasional team-building events and workshops in your coworking space can give them new ideas and make them more productive.

Furthermore, for most people it is a great opportunity to find friends, business partners or simply like-minded people.

50 Design Ideas for Inspiring Creative Spaces

Where can you find coworking spaces for designers and artists?

Coworking spaces are now available everywhere, and you have a wide selection all over the world.

Here are two online resources where you quickly find and book creative workspaces around the world :

• Coworker
• WeWork Network