One moment, processing...

Printer-friendly version

Blog Viewer
Coworking: The New Office Cube
Office spaces have seen an evolution over the years. With the changing tide of the economy coupled with a new generation entering the workforce exposed to technology far more advanced than what existed in generations prior, attitudes toward work are quickly evolving.

Wired magazine featured an article about the changing attitudes toward work and how it helped shape the design of office spaces from the past, the present, and perhaps what we can expect in the future.

The need for office spaces is dependent on the existence of a business. But what happens when a business folds, as we have consistently seen happen at the onset of the recession? Does it result in an abandoned space that marks the beginning of a ghost town? For OfficePort, it was a case of turning life's lemons into lemonade.

The birth of OfficePort KC became a positive new business that was a direct result of what seems to be a negative business scenario. "There (in Kansas City) we had a company that ran out of business. So we had a whole building that became vacant all at once. We also had the entire furniture along with it," says Michael Edmondson, Co-founder of OfficePort and a realtor. An empty space, existing office furniture, and dynamic open office design and layout became the recipe for a coworking environment catering to entrepreneurs. "We are entrepreneurs ourselves. We want to keep the prices low and keep the business transaction as simple as possible," says Michael, who understands the direct needs of start-up companies, small businesses, independent contractors, or freelances when it comes to overhead and the costs of running a business.  

Reception Lobby 4th Floor Entrance.jpg

Modernist furniture like the Wassily Chair, also known as the Model B3 chair, designed by Marcel Breuer, flanks the reception area at OfficePort CHI.
The success of their first coworking environment prompted its founders to bring this new way of working to the windy city. One day in the dead of winter, Shaul Jolles, Co-founder of OfficePort along with James Carver, Manager of what is now OfficePort CHI, flew to Chicago in search of a space where they could replicate OfficePort KC. "I came to Chicago in January 2009 and put an offer on the first and only building I looked at. I had many other appointments to look at, but made my mind when I first searched and saw this space," recalls Shaul. With that visit, they found a space across the famed Block 37, at the heart of The Loop, on the corner of Washington and State Streets. On August 24, 2009, OfficePort CHI opened its doors, as a conversion from the empty residential condominium space above Atwood Cafe. The design of this coworking space had a modern and dynamic feel to it from the entrance all the way to its interior ports. The reception area is flanked with modern furniture that mimics the modern ports/desks available for lease on flexible terms. The no deposit/no contract scenario diminishes the taxing paperwork normally involved in securing an office lease. It allows a business owner to focus on running the business as they see fit.

James Carver, Office Manager, OfficePort CHI.jpg

James Carver, office manager of OfficePort CHI, showing his own "port". (image by Dante Hamilton)
"We're up to about 32 companies now, a lot of them in web development, different aspects of consulting, several in social media marketing, journalists, and freelancers. It's interesting to see how these companies can blend, how they intertwine with each other. We have a website called Weave where you can see different groups or members that we have. There's a lot of mini-market research--the different aspects of running a small business," says James Carver.

As a business, this coworking environment focuses on the idea of community from making it as easy as possible for entrepreneurs to get a turn-key office space in a good location, to having a cost effective option, equipped with all the tools needed to run a company, to sponsoring community lunches once a month.

Mike Maddaloni, Dunkirk Systems, Web Developer.jpg

Mike Maddaloni, a web developer who operates Dunkirk Systems at OfficePort CHI.
James further explains "There's a sense of being independent (as an entrepreneur) and yet part of a group. We have a lot of people who will still be here (coworking) whether the economy is good or bad. I do think the economy propels that aspect (of entrepreneurship) but as the economy gets better, I don't think entrepreneurship would dry up as a result of a good economy." For example at OfficePort CHI, currently "We had one business start out as a one-desk operation, then upgraded to an office suite, and has now hired 2 people, and has 2 interns."

Exploring the inner ports of OfficePort CHI evokes a feeling of walking into an industrial loft space, with its exposed ceilings at the back of the space, free-flowing spaces, refurbished Herman Miller furniture, and sealed concrete floor finish. Coworking in this space is all-inclusive, housed in a decent looking office that allows one to do work.
OfficePortCHI Washington Street View Looking East to Reception Area.jpg

The modern "ports" are fully equipped with basic office furniture from Herman Miller. (image by Dante Hamilton)
Doing work outside the confines of a coffee shop, or out of the home office, where clients can be entertained in a professional yet casual environment is exactly what Dante Hamilton was looking for as an entrepreneur.

June-20-2010-Website-Client-Meeting-Wioletta-Hryniewicka-of-MakeupByVioletta.com-2.JPG

Dante Hamilton discusses a website project, MakeupByVioletta.com, with his client, Makeup Artist Wioletta Hryniewicka.
Dante is a graphic/web designer and owner of Internet Webpages Newspaper, Inc. In 2008, he had an office space with Regus, functioning as his headquarters. "I was working in a traditional office environment for about 20 hours a month. That turned out to be too expensive and there was no benefit in meeting anyone because the offices are completely isolated," shares Dante. When OfficePort CHI opened last year, he became one of its pioneer tenants. The draw was how this coworking space was designed--it gave the tenants the ability to collaborate, making it more conducive to interaction with other tenants, resulting in sharing of ideas, thus building a community.

With access to an office space 24/7, coworking has become an attractive alternative for people who travel a lot, those working in projects with teams in different geographic locations and time zones, or perhaps those who just requires more flexibility than what a traditional office open from 9am-5pm can accommodate.


Anna Lira Luis, AIA, RIBA, NCARB, UAP, LEED®AP, is principal architect at Atelier Lira Luis, LLC. She believes in transforming the world and society through designs that are sensitive to sustainability and address social responsibility. Follow her in Twitter: @liraluis  
Created By: A. Lira Luis, AIA On: Fri, Aug 20, 2010 11:46 PM

1 person recommends this.
0 Comments
2296 Views

Permalink

Copy and paste the link below into other web pages, documents, or email messages to allow immediate, permanent access to this page. Security settings will remain in place and login will be necessary for protected content.

Comments

  No Comments submitted.

All information provided on this blog entry is for informational purposes only. The American Institute of Architects makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.

©2013 The American Institute of Architects