In an old article from WorkDesign Magazine, Gary Miciunas, a respected leader in workplace innovation, wrote:
The hot topic of “coworking” might be a contender to replace cubicles. Said in another way: bye-bye cubicles, hello coworking!
In the same article, Miciunas goes onto write how the abandonment of the office cubicle will forever change the way offices are designed, boiling it down to a simple theory. He calls it the “three Cs” of modern workplace design.
The “three C’s” model was intended to serve as a guide for designing office spaces of the future and includes three components: concentration, collaboration, and community.
First, concentration means individual workers should have a designated place where one can work undisturbed and be fully immersed in their work without distractions or interruptions.
Second, collaboration points to the need for collaborative space where colleagues can share ideas and conduct meetings and brainstorm in a private setting.
Third, the community is designated space for all non-work activities, including events, mingling, eating, socializing, and simply bringing people together. In short, an optimal coworking space must be dedicated to all three C’s.
But is there a perfect ratio between the three? The answer might surprise you.
Simply put, there is no perfect ratio. But past coworking business failures and successes have allowed coworking professionals to identify some trusted guidelines for ideal ratios for optimal floor planning in a coworking space.
The ideal space ratio
Traditional office design is characterized by a 70/30 ratio. Meaning 70% of the space is dedicated to workers individual or “concentration” space, giving workers, on average, 250-300 individual square feet. And 30% (or less) is dedicated to collaborative and community space.
This ratio is becoming ancient history, and office design is moving towards a 50/50 ratio. This ratio is becoming ancient history and office design is moving towards a 50/50 ratio.
Now, less space is dedicated to individual work. Sleek laptops and almost zero need for storage and paperwork mean workers require less space for individual work.
Efficient Use of Space:
The efficient utilization of every square meter is crucial in a coworking environment. To optimize the spatial, incorporating flexible furniture and adjustable workstations becomes essential. These elements can be easy reconfigured to various activities, whether hosting a networking event, conducting a workshop, or facilitating focused individual work sessions. The aim is to craft a multifunctional space that adapts to diverse needs without necessitating continuous physical modifications.
To make your coworking space as efficient and welcoming as possible, it’s crucial to follow actionable benchmarks for space planning. Industry standards suggest allocating about 10 square meters per individual workstation. This size ensures each member has sufficient space for productivity, in addition to maintaining the communal atmosphere that is central to the coworking ethos. Such benchmarks guide you in creating a layout that optimizes the use of space while encouraging an environment conducive to work, collaboration, and community.
Examples:
Private Offices: For small teams, a private office can range from 10 to 15 square meters, comfortably accommodating 2-3 people. Larger teams may require spaces upwards of 30 square meters to ensure enough room for 5-6 team members.
Meeting Rooms: A small meeting room for up to 4 people should cover at least 10 square meters, providing enough space for a meeting table and movement. For larger gatherings or workshops accommodating 10-12 people, aim for at least 20-25 square meters.
Community Areas: Community zones, including lounges, kitchens, and event spaces, should constitute about 30-40% of your total coworking space. For example, a 300 square meter coworking space might dedicate 100 square meters to these communal activities, ensuring areas for relaxation, informal meetings, and networking.
Phone Booths and Quiet Zones: Allocate around 1.5 to 2.5 square meters per phone booth for privacy without taking up too much floor space. Quiet zones or nooks for individual concentration can vary but consider at least 5 square meters per section to provide a calm working environment.
Example Layout for a Medium-Sized Coworking Space: For a coworking space spanning 500 square meters:
- Workstations: 250 square meters (50%) dedicated to open and dedicated desks, accommodating approximately 25-30 workstations.
- Private Offices: 100 square meters (20%) divided into small offices for teams, with 4 offices of varying sizes.
- Meeting Rooms and Phone Booths: 50 square meters (10%) split between 2 meeting rooms and 2-3 phone booths.
- Community Areas: 100 square meters (20%) for lounges, kitchens, and event spaces.
Collaborative space & individual space
Of course, there is a great deal of variability in the size of coworking spaces across the world, but regardless of the absolute size, what all coworking space owners must aim for is striking the right balance between collaborative space and private space.
Thankfully, Archie’s blog post on coworking space profitability can provide us with some useful insights on the topic. Coworking businesses that offer a well-rounded space are the most profitable.
In short, a space offering should be diversified. Part of your floor plan should be devoted to private offices for teams, but there should also be space allocated to dedicated desks.
As for conference rooms, i.e. “collaborative spaces,” there is such thing as too much. A relationship has been found between unprofitable workspaces an excess of meeting spaces.
A coworking business rule of thumb: Meeting rooms shouldn’t occupy more than 25% of the floor space. With this information in mind, you can now go onto designing an optimal floor plan that will serve the needs of your target audience, but also help your business maximize profitability.
Flexibility and Space Adaptation:
Coworking spaces must accommodate the fluctuating needs of diverse professionals and teams, often requiring different spatial arrangements for workshops, events, or everyday work.
Consider incorporating adaptable design elements such as:
- Modular furniture that can be easily rearranged or stowed away.
- Moveable walls or partitions to create meeting areas or private workspaces.
- Adjustable lighting and sound systems to suit various events and activities.
This section emphasizes the need for a coworking space to remain versatile, ensuring it can host a startup’s bustling product launch in the evening and a writer’s quiet brainstorming session the next morning. This adaptability not only maximizes the use of space but also appeals to a broader range of potential members, enhancing the coworking space’s marketability and profitability.
Sustainability and Wellness in Design:
The design of a coworking space should not only focus on functionality but also on the health and well-being of its members, along with a commitment to environmental sustainability.
Key elements to include in this section are:
- Green Spaces: Incorporate plant life and natural elements to improve air quality and provide a serene environment.
- Ergonomic Furniture: Provide adjustable chairs, standing desks, and ergonomic accessories that promote good posture and comfort during long working hours.
- Natural Light and Airflow: Design the layout to maximize natural light and encourage cross-ventilation, reducing the reliance on artificial lighting and HVAC systems, which contributes to energy conservation.
- Sustainable Materials: Use recycled, eco-friendly materials in the construction and decoration of the space to minimize the environmental footprint.
- Wellness Programs: Offer programs or activities that promote physical and mental health, such as yoga sessions, meditation areas, or wellness workshops.
In conlusion
Remember that a successful coworking space is one that evolves with its members, offering them the tools and space they need to succeed. As you finalize your floor plan, keep in mind the importance of adaptability and member well-being, ensuring that every aspect of your coworking space—from the quiet corners for concentration to the lively communal areas for networking—supports the diverse tapestry of your coworking community.
In the end, the true measure of your space’s success lies in the satisfaction of its members. With these guidelines in hand, you’re well-equipped to design a coworking space that not only meets the current industry benchmarks but sets new standards for excellence and innovation in coworking living.
