Coworking Europe Best Design Awards

For the first time ever, we are hosting the Coworking Europe Awards.

Here we give a detailed overview of each space that applied for the Best Design category.

Winners will be judged on which space incorporates the most original design, also taking into account not only aesthetic, but the message behind the design. These two elements, in addition to the the overall coherence, ability to be innovative will also be considered.

The jury will be made out of the 400 delegates of the Coworking Europe 2016 conference, taking place in Brussels on November 28-29-30. Here below is the list of application :

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1. StartHub, Miami, Florida (USA)

 

 Startup Hub Miami is a newly constructed space,  inspired by modern-industrial aesthetics. This Florida based hub  is defined by a mixture of the natural light, accented by soft blue LED lighting, which give the space a “rejuvenating” feel.

 

 

 

The available offices aren’t solely for accelerator companies, but are open to the entire Miami, and global community. Startup Hubs space is flexible, offering various special options and configurations for startup teams of all sizes to put to good use.

Website: http://www.starthubcenters.com

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2. Mokrin House, Mokrin (Serbia)

Mokrin House is a unique combination of traditional and modern functional concept in architecture and design based in a small town in Serbia. The Mokrin complex is made up of five buildings, which are integrated in a spacious, traditional Serbian courtyard. The design is a combination of industrial landscape that fully integrates with the natural surroundings.  

 

 

The central idea behind this coworking center was to revitalize the original estate, built in 1880. Yet, rather than restoring the physical space to it’s previous state,  it was ultimately modernized with the goal of  becoming a retreat center that caters to digital nomads and freelancers. Currently Mokrin House is open to coworkers from from all around the world who are looking to isolate themselves in a unique and productive environment.

Website: http://www.mokrinhouse.com/house-gallery/#prettyPhoto

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3. DI Telegraph, Moscow (Russia)

DI Telegraph was once a Soviet telecommunications building located right in the heart of Moscow, now converted into a modern coworking and collaboration space. Located on the top floor of former Central Telegraph, Archiproba, the architects who took on this amazing transformation, stripped the building back to its original concrete shell and produced an open plan workspace. 

 

 

Flexibility a central element to this workspace and many parts of the interior elements have wheels and consist of detachable modules. Depending on the needs of teams and members, the coworking space can easily transform and shape itself to the necessary shape to enable productivity and collaboration.

Website: http://ditelegraph.com/

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4. Blitz Gràcia Coworking , Barcelona (Spain)

Blitz Gràcia was designed with the concept of family as the central influence. The space is seamless and open, without columns or any additional element that would separate members. Yet in the the need for privacy Blitz Gràcia Coworking does provide a separate meeting room. In addition to workplaces, there is also a kitchen with a large table allowing members to eat together, in addition to two terraces for relaxing with a coffee.

Website: http://blitzgracia.com

 

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5. Rayaworx, Santanyí / Mallorca (Spain)

Submitted by Doris & Rainer Schuppe, Rayaworx is boutique coworking space  located in the small village of Santanyí near Mallorca’s idyllic beaches. Santanyí is situated right along the coast line, and the space provides not only a great view, but solid infrastructure and services year round. The overall design of the space is inspired by life at the beach. In the center of the space is a beach umbrella, with shells, shabby wood, straw hats, and seaside related things ornamenting the space.

 

 

As Rayaworx is an international space that also caters to nomads, the  welcome sign made of recycled wood greets coworkers in seven different languages. The entire space is sprinkled with small beach chairs that invite coworkers to take a rest. If members need to get up and go for  some exercise, they can head over to the nature conservation area Mondragó on one of the space bikes.

Website: http://www.rayaworx.eu

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6. Mindspace, Berlin, Hamburg & Tel Aviv (Germany, Israel)

 

Mindspace has a strong focus on design in all our locations in Berlin, Hamburg and Tel Aviv, which incorporates a mixture of industrial and vintage design. The Mindpace goal is to set new standards, by creating a modern workspace where members feel both comfortable and inspired.

Inspiration behind the interior design derives from streets, bars, flea markets and cafés from all around the world. To add a special touch to each space, the Mindspace team invites young artists to showcase their art. This integrates a local vibe, taste and culture of each location.

Website: http://mindspace.me

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7. Purple Patch, Clerkenwell, London (United Kingdom)

Purple Patch occupies a converted Victorian Warehouse, and takes up 3 floors. An inviting, bright and colourful environment with different textures, as well warm lighting, which is human-centric when needed. 

 

The tone of the space is set by the black and white hexagon mosaic chequered entrance floor tiles, plants, and the American mailboxes used by tenants and bright yellow lockers.

The design and layout both enhance the space’s original architecture, while also minimising noise levels by adding acoustic properties to varying forms and functionality with both private and shared options.

Website: http://www.purplepatch-uk.com

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8. Le 50 Coworking, Paris (France) 

Le 50 Coworking designed to respect both the location and spirit of the place, which can be found in the countryside in an old farm building. The space is a combination of the existing structure such as wood and metal pieces, in addition to energy saving renovations, as well as additions to lighting, colors and ambiance.

There are various breakout zones such as a pinky phone box, a huge dedicated living space outside the working area, a comfortable “working library” in the middle of the working space, and a garden including a collective organic planting area. Le 50 Coworking is innovative but still very committed to our village spirit.

Website: http://www.le-50.fr/

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9. KantoorKaravaan (Different outdoor locations)

These coworking offices are placed in converted caravans, specifically designed to go anywhere where there is beautiful nature. This concept aims to being  people from the cities to the country side. Based in the Netherlands, there are various location, in addition to a rural coworking safari going through Spain.

 

 

 

Some caravans have offices located on the side of the caravan, facing the outside, which helps for focused working, while others have a big table in the middle, perfect for meetings. For multiple or bigger teams, KantoorKaravaan sets up a full camp with different caravans and tables in the middle. Sometimes even yurts.

Website: http://www.kantoorkaravaan.nl

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10.Smack, Marseille (France)

 

French coworking space, Smack, offers an uninhibited and ambitious state of mind that caters to a community of mobile entrepreneurs. Providing an inspiring, bright and flexible space that is defined as a playing field for members who all contribute to the community’s dynamism.

 

 

 

Smack believes that entrepreneurs have the ability to blossom in their professional life when together in an inspiring workspace. Their welcoming and flexible workspaces allow members to feel stimulated and settled, whether thy are freelancers, an early stage tech founders, start ups, a small business, or remote teams.

Website: SMACK-coworking.com

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11. Betahaus, Barcelona (Spain)

Betahaus Barcelona has been in operation for 3 year, learning from both their mistakes and successes. The space is beautifully arranged, but a major part of their community is not just based on lovely high end design and furniture, but is more focused on the coworking aspect.

 

 

 

The Betahus design is a mixture of openness, privacy, sharing, as well as flex and fixed options. After years of experience they have perfected design that allows for both high profitablity and space efficiency that their members love.

Website: http://www.betahaus.es/

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12. 7AY, Rabat (Morocco)

The founders of 7AY were seduced by the creation of new stories from previous experiences, hence their choice to invest in a former industrial warehouse in Morocco in order to revive it with new experiences.  Providing several spaces for contemporary and connected workers that combine transparency and intimacy. Some of these spaces include shared spaces and private islands, as well as areas of intellectual concentration and bubbles of wandering.

 

 

Spread over three levels, the set up includes open areas, private spaces, meeting rooms and community lounges all filled with original furniture, and  restored pieces. Additionally, a Berber tent of 100 m2, handcrafted by a women’s cooperative in southern Morocco decorated with nomadic taste and objects, has been installed on the rooftop and can accommodate about twenty coworkers . 7YA also incorporates nature into their space, providing a vegetable garden that is also used for yoga sessions and workshops.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/7AYcoworking

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13. Go Desk, Potenza (Italy)

The Go Desk slogan, “why pay for a room if you can have a whole new office to experience?” sums up their inclusive, inspirational, and relaxed design.  Offering affordable and unique space, Go Desk offers 6 completely different areas with a signature style.

 

 

 

The space provides an open silent space, a green public lobby that has a reception and meeting points, an industrially designed meeting room, a common area, exclusive offices and  fully equipped meeting room for groups. Go Desk also uses a smart domotics system that controls access, energy and security.

Website: www.godesk.it 

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14. eBrella | Home for Digital, The Hague (The Netherlands)

Located in the Caballero Factory (CabFab),at the center of an upcoming and industrial area called The Binckhorst, CabFab is a combination of industrial aesthetics and inspiring workspace. The space kept the original walls, and has spacious high ceilings with a combination of raw materials and personalized details spread throughout the space.

 

 

The hub provides tools for the digital-minded, like large monitors, VR glasses a large screen for presentations. Members participated in the design process and helped to build the space based on their needs. The community input resulted in the various coworking zones, meeting rooms and creative spaces.

Website: https://ebrella.com

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15. Sektor5, Vienna (Austria)

Local Vienna graffiti-artist BUSK designed the Sektor 5 coffee-area, giving it a unique touch. The artist was inspired by the vibrant energy in the space and their serendipitous relationships.

 

 

 

The mural is a visual interpretation of It is these elements , like pixels that the artist arranged in various shapes and sizes on the walls in order to reflect bustling atmosphere. The pixel itself is actually the top part of sektor5’s numerical logo.

Website: http://www.sektor5.at/ 

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16.  Ahoy, Berlin (Germany) 

The word Ahoy is derived from the traditional signal word used to call a ship or a boat, later used also as a warning or farewell. This plays into the nautical theme of this Berlin based space. Ahoy strives to equip and empower its members to navigate this tricky and often unforgiving environment.

 

 

The space theme is reflected in the services provided as well as the interior design of the space itself, which includes nautical maps, model ships and a paper boat that symbolizes the fragility of budding businesses in the open sea of the free market. The bright and open common area with the Fitzcarraldo bar and cafeteria is a central meeting point. There are also conference rooms, closed offices and an event space, but are laid out. This layout encourages interaction among members of the greater community.

Website: https://ahoyberlin.com/

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17. Transforma bxl, Brussels (Belgium) 

Transforma bxl is designed around the functionalities that the space offers, along with a creative and original touch through collaborations with local artists. The design of the space is a combination of professional and  good for the soul. 

 

 

 

The building is flooded with natural light and powered by solar energy, defined by open spaces, indoors and outdoors to help create a stimulating and collaborative environment. The space also has an Innovation Garden, which is a modular work and meeting space designed for co-creation activities and creative events. The common themes in the design are beehives, and they have two in the garden, and sustainability.

Website: http://www.transformabxl.be/

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18. Smart Office, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Smart office places emphasis on atmosphere.created by a balance between the work space and an inviting environment. Working stations are adorned with greens to create a cozy vibe and there is various chill nets and sitting sponges along the windows. The nets have been popular with members, who use them to work as well.  

 

Light bulbs and plugs are not hidden behind the walls, but emphasized with yellow cord and focally placed around the space.Overall, the open plan of the space allows people to collaborate and talk, but there are also quiet spaces if needed. The space is also right in the center of town, thus it is close to the action.

Website: http://www.smartoffice.ba/

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 19. Urban Station, Global (Argentina,Mexico,Chile,Colombia,Egypt) 

Urban Station was born with a very clear objective: To develop a network of workstations that allow every worker to have an office space available whenever they need in a simple and cost effective way. Urban Station aims to change the working paradigm. by implementing a non-traditional and innovative conception of physical working space, as well as the way workers interact among themselves. The space design  generates constant stimulation to enhance creativity and productivity levels in our clients. In addition, color is used to enhance stimulation and each workstation contributes to the interaction among people.

Working together with Industrial Design studies to develop  specially designed tables for mobile workers, the spaces displays the artistic spirit that matches with the creativity activities, each Urban Station, has a different artist to draw a free interpretation of thinking outside the box.

Website: http://enjoyurbanstation.com

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20. Sun and Co, Javea (Spain) 

Sun and Co. is the first coliving and coworking community taking place on the whole of the Mediterranean Coast. It’s a place for freelancers, entrepreneurs, location independent workers, digital nomads and anyone looking for a great work and leisure. Located in a fully refurbished XIX century historical farm house with rooms for sleeping and work spaces. 

Staying true to the original set-up of the house, which was once used by farmers, it was renovated in such a way to enable social interaction. The kitchen acts as the heart of the household.

Website: www.sun-and-co.com

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21. La Belle Verte, Nice (France) 

La Belle Verte is a suburban coworking space, located in the centre town of a typical village of the Côte d’Azur. La Belle Verte is implemented in a charming Provence-style home everything is set up for coworking activities, including a focus on well-being. There are two-floors offering work stations, with a singular layout. People have access to a large reception area, an inner courtyard with trees and the first floor is dedicated to more silent activities. 

Freelancers are offered a relaxing and challenging atmosphere, authentic and contemporary, in conformity with their values. The space also provides environmental friendliness approach, thanks to less transportation, revitalization of local economic activity in the village, self-respect and respect for others, as well as towards the place itself,  assistance, conviviality, and kindness.

Website: http://www.la-belleverte.fr/

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22. Cabinet Lounge, Moscow, (Russia) 

The club office Cabinet Lounge is situated in the marvelous mansion in the heart of Moscow. Built in the 20th century by Russian architect Fiodor Shekhtel for the Moscow Merchant Community. Merchant and Business traditions are inherited and carried through the century and today our club office executes almost the same function community of the prosperous and successful people. High ceilings and large windows provide a lot of light and comfort. 

The space of Cabinet Lounge is divided into several areas: including meeting rooms, a conference hall, a business lounge and a restaurant. It is decorated with a specific color palett and natural materials, such as wood, linen and leather. The space pays close attention to details, adding things like flowers and burning candles and updated best art work that is used to revitalize the space several times in a year.

Website: http://www.cabinetlounge.com/coworking

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23. Swiss Escape, Grimentz, (Switzerland) 

From the beginning, the community helped to design a space that fits their needs. Based on feedback and its functionality, it was created together with designers, interior designers, as well as residents. Nature is the inspiration and the aesthetic is clean and simple. This elegance syncs with the Swiss style of design. The building in itself is a modern Swiss Chalet built with pine tree and finished with big glass windows to nourish as much sunlight as possible.

 

By bringing guests closer to nature, it allows them to be productive and collaborate with a clear heard. The space has one common area where everyone works, which was created by feedback from members. There is also a single desk in each bedroom, so that if the office room is taken people can have their own space.

Website: www.swissescape.co

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24. St. Oberholz II, Berlin (Germany) 

The second St. Oberholz in Zehdenicker Strasse 1, just 5 minutes from the first house, which has become Berlin’s first milestone of the worldwide Coworking movement, is designed as the prototype of a modern coworking space. The hot-desking area is one large room, giving coworkers get a better feeling of being in one community. The lobby, with telephone box, break-out area and a conference room, is connected in a right angle. Where the two rooms meet is a big window that let people see what happens in the attached café which is designed as a coffee lab. 

On the other floors of the house are team rooms and on top three apartments that can be used for events or stays. This creates, beside the horizontal coworking community of the open hot-desking area, also a vertical house community. Members have access to the whole house and every floor.

Website: http://sanktoberholz.de/

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25. Tribe by Tec (Singapore) 

Located at the vibrant and bustling Circular Road neighborhood in a shophouse that dates back to the late 1800’s, Tribe by TEC upholds the concept of “office without walls” across its 4,000 sq. ft. space. This two-floor open concept office has some quirky bits to it, with furniture like the lorry-shaped table, a colorful solo sofa, cork shelves and many more, which livens up the atmosphere of the office. 

Tribe offers 15 different offices with varying sizes and has a maximum capacity of 73 workstations.

Website: http://www.executivecentre.com/location/singapore_tribe_by_tec

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26. DeskLodge, Bristol (UK) 

DeskLodge is designed for very different ways of working. There is a log cabin in reception to escape work and be with friends old and new, as well as a garden for informal meetings with grass, a deck, picnic tables. There also  two “brick buildings” are meeting rooms, which are themed to be homely so people feel connected. The hub areas include an area with different kitchen tables for teams to work together and a range of solo working positions including standing, high perches, counters – and even some desks.

The “tardis” leads to a hidden library with separated study booths with monitors for head down working with productive dance music playing in the background. Otherbreak rooms, like The Oak Tree room is used for lunch, brainstorming, events that has a full size oak tree in the middle of the space. The space is sprinkled with details, like phone boxes are decorated with different scenes and quirky touches to make people stay surprised and productive. 

Website: http://desklodge.com/

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27. Cloud Coworking, Barcelona (Catalonia) 

Cloud takes natural lighting to the limit. All six ‘barrios’ are designed in a way to easily transport natural light to all spaces. Each barrio has its own identity, with the main area composed by flex area, café by the rooftop terrace and meeting rooms. The recently opened floor has 4 different barrios, with a large area that is used as coding school, movie night or larger meetings. The new floor has been designed with an H shape with the mission to connect both facades and allow natural light to reach every single coworker.

Wooden tables and wooden walls are combined with glass, generating comfort for Cloud coworkers. The wooden terraces with two are the bridge between desks and the city’s skyline.

Website: http://www.coworkinginthecloud.com/

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28. Atolye, Istanbul (Turkey) 

Atolye is an interdisciplinary interaction and creativity platform, geared towards bringing together freelancers, startups and the wider public. Located in an inspiring post-industrial setting within bomontiada, Istanbul’s new emerging cultural hub and heart of the creative industries, the space provides a unique opportunity for like-minded people to come together in order to build upon mutual interests and skills.The project’s fundamental motivation is to create moments of bonding and synergy by strategically programming the space to accommodate a wide range of uses: isolated work, collaboration, rapid fabrication, exhibition and education.

The space has acoustically separated areas for thinking, making, learning and sharing create fluidity within the space. Including custom designed, locally crafted modular furniture, the architectural design is a by-product of a larger system, an entrepreneurship endeavour that is focusing on a truly trans-disciplinary design: from branding to interface, from furniture to space.

Webstie: http://atolyelabs.com/

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29. Typographia-Cowork, Porto (Portugal) 

Typographia-Cowork is situated in a beautiful, fully renovated XVII century building that was previously used as a traditional typographers. The layout was designed to utilize the spatial elements of the existing building and includes finely decorated rooms with plaster ceilings and original wooden carved details There is  large open space that evokes the pre-existing industrial vibe. 

Three zones comprise the coworking space, like a chill-out area with a spectacular view of the Oporto Unesco Heritige area, the workspace where entrepreneurs and young creative minds develop their working skills, and a multipurpose area in the center that can host a wide range of events such as conferences, workshops and audio-visual presentations etc. The design of the layout/project used a minimalistic approach, including detailed craftsmanship of typographic work.

Website: http://www.typographia-cowork.com/

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30. Bon Jour, Brussels (Belgium) 

Bon Jour is a space found in a renewed traditional Belgian building. The small-size, homey and bright venue is organized and decorated with the aim of inspiring coworkers and boost their creativity, utilizing warm wood, minimal design with a Scandinavian touch. The main common table was tailored made for Bon Jour, where coworkers share the same table, which enhances and facilitates connection. 

 

Offering three floors, the space welcomes also a shared office, a chill-out mezzanine, a comaking & meeting room, a team-working and calls room. The cozy mood kept for the decoration of all Bon Jour areas is designed help coworkers comfortable at home. 

Website: http://www.bonjour-bruxelles.com/

 Hotel Schani Wien, Vienna (Austria)

Hotel Schani Wien opened in April 2015 with the aim of optimizing guests’ experiences and creating synergies between work, travel, the local community and our visitors. The hotel provides workspaces based on the five basic principles of coworking: Openness, accessibility, community, sustainability and collaboration. The space is a combination of the Viennese coffee house tradition and turned Hotel Schani Wien into a location where different activities blend easily and locals and hotel guests can mingle with each other. 

The coworking space can be found in the lobby gallery in addition to private workplaces. There are also seminar and event rooms available, as well as several niches for working comfortably in an armchair in the hotel lobby designed for soaking up the atmosphere. A combination of traditional Viennese culture and modern design offers a creative working environment to spur innovation. 

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The Best Coworking Community Action Award 2016 will be attributed on behalf of Coworking Europe/ SocialWorkplaces.com and our Platinum sponsor Essensys.