What’s Trending in the Coworking World By: Ceci Amador

GCUC.ALL is less than 30 days away and what better way to get ready for it than by taking a look at some of the coworking trends of this year

Growing Market

Though in the early years coworking users were mainly freelancers and startups, this year we’ve seen how the market has expanded and reached new horizons. Coworking spaces across the world are starting to welcome big corporations and businesses as members. According to a CBRE report, this is due to the fact that companies are under pressure to attract and secure new talent, and one way they’re doing so is by providing employees with more flexibility to help them innovate and  reach work-life balance, by giving them the option to work from coworking spaces…like the partnership between Grind and Verizon, as well as Workbar and Staples.

Specialized Coworking Spaces

A growing industry means a growing market and operators are starting to specialize and cater to particular niches and groups. We’ve seen coworking operators offer food oriented spaces, providing industrial kitchens, specialized storage, and cooking classes. There’s also a coworking space in NYC dedicated to the fashion industry that provides brands with showrooms, space for fashion shows, and even hosts a NY Fashion Week party. And if that’s not enough, there’s also a new coworking space in DC that’s aimed at yoga lovers and wellness enthusiasts; offering traditional coworking services as well as yoga classes, aromatherapy, and meditation.

Design: Aesthetics + Utility

Workplace design has been a major trending topic this year. Many are realizing that the debate between open vs. private workspaces isn’t as black and white as it used to be, and many operators are seeking for ways to adopt hybrid models (Bob Fox and our friends at Work Design will be talking about this more in-depth during the conference).

We’ve also seen how furniture has taken up a major role in workspace design, functionality, and success. Operators are using reception areas as a branding extension tool, they’re opting for multipurpose and versatile furniture, and they’re incorporating technology to their furniture.

Coworking Strengthen Cities

A couple of weeks ago, we published a blog on how coworking spaces can change a city. One of the ways in which the do so is by bringing back to life abandoned buildings (with help and approval from local governments) as well as by bringing together their surrounding community. Coworking spaces have become about much more than being just a work space;  they’re spaces where members and non-members can host events, workshops, network, and innovate together.

In some countries, the government is also supporting the coworking movement by helping organize and finance projects and events that take place in coworking spaces, as well as by providing funding to create new ones. Some examples include Startup Chile, The Library and Social Lab in Tel Aviv, and Smart Work Hubs in Australia. Colombia and China’s governments have also given amazing support to the ever stronger coworking movement.