coworking space architecture case study in india

Commercial Design India

coworking [hub] by architecture & design bureau [a:kitekt]

Coworking hub is a story about the desire of an architectural company to reach a new level of its development stage, where, despite the difficulties and failures, it turned out to make something new interesting, and unusual for the local citizens.

Since the coworking space is located in the basement of a residential building, it was not possible to change the layout configuration much, nevertheless, it was possible to divide the space into the necessary functional zones. There is a quiet work area in an open space and a noisy area where you can make zoom calls. There are private offices, a meeting room, zoom rooms, a lecture hall for events, a kitchen, and a toilet with a shower. Some open space areas are visually separated by light ivy-covered grid structures, which create some privacy and at the same time let enough natural light to the common space. And there is also a mini-library available for visitors.

Affordable and practical finishing materials, such as wood, OSB panels, concrete, and metal structures, are used at the coworking hub.  Material combinations create a relaxed atmosphere where representatives of different creative professions want to work. The space is designed in neutral shades, but the accent red wall is a distinctive interior design feature. Plants enliven the office space and create a cozy atmosphere. There was no initial idea of what a coworking hub would look like, everything was developed along the way, and ideas came spontaneously. The space and functional zones were planned initially, but the interior design was improvised.

For the city of Tashkent, the hub is a non–standard extraordinary project that breaks the stereotypes of the local mentality, which believes that it is beautiful only when there are classical gold color painted columns. It’s just that sometimes you get tired of pomposity and want simplicity and lightness so that nothing distracts and does not interfere with the creation process. Hub is the very place where you can concentrate on working without being distracted, and here you can also find like-minded people to create joint projects.

Key Drivers Behind the Explosive Growth of Coworking Spaces in India: A Deep Dive into Market Trends and Future Prospects

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Mr Robin Chhabra, Founder and CEO- Dextrus. 

• The co-working market in India is projected to reach USD 1.94 billion by 2024. What key factors do you believe are driving this growth?

Key Reasons driving growth of coworking spaces

Growth of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities

Firstly, economic growth and technological advancements in tier-2 and tier-3 cities have created a fertile ground for the expansion of coworking spaces. As these regions experience increased economic activity and improved connectivity, they attract startups and small businesses looking to capitalize on new opportunities without the overhead of traditional office spaces. The availability of advanced tech infrastructure has made it feasible for businesses to operate efficiently outside major metropolitan hubs.

The burgeoning gig economy

There is a surge in startups, freelancers and SMEs significantly contributing to the demand for coworking spaces. These flexible work arrangements require adaptable and affordable workspace solutions, which coworking spaces provide in abundance. By offering a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and networking, coworking spaces cater to the needs of the gig economy’s dynamic workforce.

Flexibility in terms of agreement

Unlike conventional office leases, coworking agreements are typically short-term and adjustable, allowing businesses to scale up or down as needed. This flexibility, combined with reduced business overheads and lower costs, makes coworking spaces an attractive option for cost-conscious entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Bouquet of services:

Furthermore, coworking spaces offer comprehensive services including utilities, high-speed internet, tech support and maintenance. This all-in-one approach simplifies operations for tenants, allowing them to focus on their core activities without being bogged down by logistical concerns.

Community building:

Lastly, the collaborative and supportive community fostered within coworking spaces is invaluable. By bringing together individuals from diverse fields, these spaces promote networking, knowledge sharing and mutual support, enhancing both personal and professional growth.

• Can you share your thoughts on the future trajectory of the co-working industry in India? Where do you see it heading by 2030?

India at the center of globalization

India, poised at the heart of globalization, is expected to experience remarkable economic growth, with its GDP projected to surpass $7 trillion. This economic surge will likely fuel the expansion of coworking spaces, as businesses seek flexible, cost-effective office solutions in a rapidly evolving market.

Shift in preference towards co-working:

Multinational corporations (MNCs), alongside Indian enterprises, are increasingly shifting towards coworking environments. This trend is driven by the need for agility and innovation in a competitive landscape. Coworking spaces offer a dynamic environment that supports collaboration and adaptability, crucial for MNCs and emerging Indian companies looking to scale efficiently.

Increased Government support:

Government initiatives play a critical role in this shift, with increased support for entrepreneurship through various funds, grants and incentives. These measures are designed to foster a thriving startup ecosystem, encouraging new businesses to adopt coworking models that provide flexible and affordable office space solutions.

Developers strive to meet MNC requirements:

The development of international-grade commercial properties, with a focus on sustainability, is another factor shaping the future of coworking. As environmental consciousness grows, coworking spaces are incorporating green practices and sustainable design principles, aligning with global trends towards eco-friendly infrastructure.

Host of amenities to make work smoother:

Coworking spaces are increasingly preferred for their comprehensive amenities, cutting-edge technology, privacy options and vibrant community atmosphere. This combination of features makes them an attractive choice for diverse business needs, from startups to established companies.

Plethora of custom options to choose from:

The coworking sector is diversifying its offerings to cater to the evolving needs of businesses. From tailored office solutions to specialized facilities, coworking providers are expanding their range of services to accommodate different sectors and work styles.

• Dextrus is about to launch its 3rd center at ONE BKC. Could you tell us more about this new location and how it aligns with your growth strategy?

Located in One BKC, the center spreads across 12,000 sqft and offers 300 seats. As part of the expansion and keeping design at the core of its functioning, Dextrus Workspaces will further strengthen its Build By Dextrus offering and customized office solutions wherein they design, build, and operate an office space, taking away clients’ hassle of coordinating with design firms, contractors, vendors for the build and eventually the ongoing operations and maintenance of an office space.

At the new center, along with a customized office space, clients also get access to the advantages of a coworking space such as meeting rooms, breakout spaces, cafe and pantry, phone booths etc. An aesthetically designed space replete with state-of-the-art infrastructure and end-to-end services and utilities, Dextrus, One BKC will help create an ambiance where individuals and teams can totally focus on work and productivity.

Talking about the new center, Robin Chhabra, Founder, CEO, Dextrus , said, “At Dextrus, it has been our constant endeavor to design spaces that would meet all kinds of client requirements. With our new center, we look forward to welcoming new clients and expanding our presence in Mumbai’s most coveted location – Bandra Kurla Complex. We are optimistic that our design-oriented approach will fuel creativity and elevate the overall workplace experience.”

• What distinguishes Dextrus from other co-working spaces in the market, particularly in the premium luxury segment? What has been your biggest challenge in expanding Dextrus and how have you overcome it?

Dextrus USPs:

Strategic Location:

One of Dextrus’s most significant advantages is our choice of strategic locations. Positioned in prime business districts like Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Lower Parel, we ensure that our clients are at the heart of thriving economic hubs. This accessibility not only simplifies commuting but also enhances networking opportunities and business visibility.

Leveraging efficiencies through Shared Economy:

Embracing the principles of the shared economy, Dextrus maximizes operational efficiencies for our clients. By providing shared resources and amenities, such as conference rooms, high-speed internet and office equipment, we reduce overhead costs and ensure that businesses only pay for what they use. This model fosters cost savings and contributes to a more sustainable business operation.

Customized and Flexible Office Solutions:

At Dextrus, we understand that every business has unique needs. Our customized and flexible office solutions are designed to adapt to various requirements, whether it’s a private office for a growing startup or enterprise solutions for established corporations. This flexibility allows companies to scale up or down with ease, ensuring they always have the right space to meet their needs.

Optimized Productivity through Design:

Our workspaces are meticulously designed to enhance productivity. From ergonomic furniture and well-thought-out layouts to modern décor and natural light, every aspect of our design aims to create an environment that fosters focus, creativity and collaboration.

Dedicated Service and Support:

Exceptional service is at the core of the Dextrus experience. Our dedicated support team is available to address any issues promptly, ensuring a smooth and seamless experience for our clients. Whether it’s technical support or administrative assistance, we are committed to providing top-notch service that meets the highest standards.

Challenges in market and How Dextrus overcomes them

Flexibility in Space:

One of the major challenges in the coworking market is providing flexibility in workspace arrangements to accommodate varying business needs. Dextrus addresses this challenge through meticulous design and planning. Our spaces are designed to allow for easy expansion or contraction, ensuring that businesses can scale up or down without significant disruption. By incorporating modular furniture and adaptable layouts, we offer a dynamic environment that adjusts to the changing demands of our clients.

Customization of Design:

Another challenge is tailoring office designs to reflect a client’s unique company culture, especially for smaller spaces. Dextrus excels in this area by offering design customization even for offices as small as 20 desks. Our approach includes working closely with clients to understand their brand identity and integrating bespoke design elements that enhance their workspace. This ensures that even smaller offices can embody the client’s culture and values effectively.

Flexibility in Amenities:

Providing flexibility in choosing amenities to suit diverse budgets is crucial in the coworking sector. Dextrus meets this challenge by offering a range of amenity options that clients can select based on their specific needs and budget constraints. Whether it’s premium facilities or essential services, our clients have the freedom to customize their amenity packages to align with their operational requirements and financial considerations.

Sourcing the Right Property:

Identifying and securing the right property in a prime location is a significant challenge. Dextrus overcomes this by leveraging a strategic approach to real estate. We focus on thorough market research and analysis to find properties that offer both prime locations and the potential for high client demand. Our expertise in property sourcing ensures that we secure spaces that not only meet our clients’ needs but also enhance their business operations.

• The conversation around the concessional rate of TDS and extended tax holidays for startups has been gaining traction. How do you think these policies could impact the co-working industry?

Start-ups in India:

The landscape of entrepreneurship has seen remarkable growth over the past decade, with the number of recognized startups soaring from 450 in 2016 to over 127,000 by April 2024. This exponential increase underscores the dynamic spirit of innovation and business development in today’s market.

Government Initiatives:

Government initiatives have played a pivotal role in this entrepreneurial boom. Measures such as concessional rates of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), extended tax holidays and various funding schemes have been crucial in supporting startups. These incentives help ease the financial burdens on new ventures, providing them with the resources and stability needed to thrive. Tax incentives and funding schemes, in particular, offer startups the crucial backing to navigate their initial challenges and scale their operations effectively.

Burgeoning economy:

India’s strategic position as a hub of globalization and its projected economic growth to become the third-largest economy, worth $5 trillion by 2028, further highlight the significance of startups. These enterprises are set to play a central role in driving economic expansion and boosting the country’s GDP. As the economy grows, startups will contribute to this expansion by introducing innovative products and services, creating jobs and fostering competition.

Co-working and Start-ups:

The coworking industry has emerged as a vital supporter of startups. Offering flexible workspace solutions, modern amenities and networking opportunities, coworking spaces have become the preferred choice for many new businesses. These spaces provide an environment conducive to collaboration and growth, essential elements for startups navigating their early stages. As the number of startups continues to rise, the demand for coworking spaces is expected to increase, reflecting the sector’s integral role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In conclusion, the synergy between government support, India’s economic ambitions and the evolving coworking industry creates a robust foundation for the continued success and growth of startups, positioning them as key drivers of economic progress.

• India is the fastest-growing flexible office market in the APAC region. What competitive advantages does the Indian market have over other regions?

Coworking in India VS APAC

India’s wealth of skilled professionals

The country boasts a vast pool of talented individuals across various sectors, creating an attractive market for flexible workforce solutions. Startups, freelancers and established companies alike benefit from this diverse talent pool, making coworking spaces in India highly sought after.

Government initiatives bolster growth

The Indian government is actively stimulating business expansion and entrepreneurship through favorable policies and incentives. These efforts include financial support, tax benefits and regulatory reforms designed to ease the operational burdens on new ventures. This supportive environment enhances the appeal of coworking spaces as viable options for businesses looking to minimize initial costs and leverage governmental advantages.

Nurturing innovation and technology:

The country is home to a burgeoning tech industry and a vibrant startup culture, which drives demand for coworking spaces that offer cutting-edge amenities and collaborative environments. This emphasis on technology and innovation aligns well with the needs of modern startups and tech professionals, making Indian coworking spaces particularly attractive.

Customized workspace solutions:

Cost efficiency is another significant advantage. The reduction in space rentals through shared office models helps lower fixed overheads for businesses. By offering flexible and cost-effective solutions, coworking spaces in India address the financial constraints faced by many startups and small businesses, making them more accessible and sustainable. Furthermore, the growth of the “Micro Office” market in India illustrates the sector’s adaptability. These smaller, flexible office spaces cater to the evolving needs of businesses, providing a more personalized and scalable workspace solution.

How Dextrus will compete in the market:

Selective Location Choices:

Dextrus understands that the choice of location is critical to the success of premium managed workspaces. By carefully selecting prime, high-demand areas, Dextrus ensures that its spaces are not only accessible but also situated in vibrant business hubs. This strategic positioning attracts high-caliber clients who seek prestigious addresses and convenient access.

Design Leadership:

Leveraging design leadership is central to Dextrus’s strategy. The company is committed to creating aesthetically pleasing and functional workspaces that capitalize on shared economy efficiencies. By integrating cutting-edge design with practical features, Dextrus can offer environments that foster productivity and collaboration while maximizing the use of space and resources.

Focus on Flexible Office Solutions:

Flexibility remains a cornerstone of Dextrus’s offerings. In a rapidly changing business landscape, the ability to adapt to different needs is essential. Dextrus’s focus on flexible office solutions ensures that clients—from startups to established enterprises—can scale their operations seamlessly and adjust their space requirements as needed, thereby enhancing client satisfaction and retention.

Custom Design USP:

Dextrus’s unique selling proposition lies in its custom design capabilities. Understanding that every business has distinct needs, Dextrus excels in tailoring workspaces to suit specific client requirements. This personalized approach not only meets but exceeds client expectations, setting Dextrus apart from competitors in the premium workspace market.

Service and Support:

Exceptional service and support are at the heart of Dextrus’s strategy. By providing top-notch customer service, including responsive support and proactive management, Dextrus builds lasting relationships with its clients. This commitment to high-quality service ensures that clients experience smooth operations and feel valued, reinforcing Dextrus’s reputation as a premium workspace provider.

• Who are the primary users of Dextrus spaces? Have you noticed any changes in the type of clients using co-working spaces over the past few years?

Dextrus Clientele:

Dextrus has carved a niche in premium coworking space business. We predominantly have enterprise clients since coworking has proven to be advantageous for them. One of the primary benefits is the reduced time commitment towards real estate. Traditional office setups often involve lengthy lease negotiations, complex build-out processes and ongoing maintenance challenges. In contrast, these aspects get streamlined through ready-to-use office environments allowing enterprises to focus on their core business activities. Another significant advantage is the hassle-free administration since key aspects of office management, utilities and technology maintenance are managed by Dextrus. Clients get a fully equipped and operational workspace without the typical overheads of traditional office management. Dextrus being strategically located in prime areas ensure that clients and their staff have access to convenient locations with excellent transport links enhancing productivity and employee satisfaction. Recently, there has been a noticeable shift in client requirements from single or double-seat fixed desks to private offices and larger spaces tailored for enterprise needs. This evolution reflects a growing demand for more customized and scalable workspace solutions, which Dextrus adeptly provides.

Productivity enhancers at Dextrus:

We provide a comprehensive range of amenities tailored to enhance experience and productivity. Each of these are designed to cater to customer convenience, ensuring a productive and comfortable experience in our facility.

Café & Pantry space is designed to accommodate events of all styles with a capacity of close to 100 and is equipped with AV facilities and FnB services, community board for announcements, celebrations and events, satellite pantries for quick access to essentials throughout the workspace.

Our Meeting Rooms are designed with utmost flexibility and functionality. These meeting rooms are fully serviced and equipped with modern technological solutions. From intimate gatherings of five to large-scale assemblies of up to a hundred participants, each room is adaptable to meet specific needs.

Our Lounge with library features elegant arches along the walls, integrating space for a functional library setup while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the environment. Ample natural light floods the area, creating a sense of openness and connectivity.

Our Phone Booths provide quiet, enclosed spaces for our clients to be able to step away and take their calls without disturbing the others.

Our Community Desk serves as a central hub providing assistance to each and every need of the clients from visitor management to meeting room bookings, handling couriers and addressing requests.

We conduct life enriching Events by partnering with businesses, thinkers, creators and community shapers, to organize online and offline experiences that inspire, encourage growth, build valued connections and expand learning horizons.

There are a host of Other Amenities like High-speed internet lease lines, stationery and supplies, UPS power and server racks. There are additional facilities including printing services, storage lockers, mail handling, AV conferencing capabilities, parking services and key card access, ensuring a safe and efficient workplace environment.

• As sustainability becomes increasingly important, how is Dextrus integrating sustainable practices into its operations?

Dextrus is a trailblazer in sustainable business practices making notable strides in environmental stewardship through a range of innovative initiatives.

Electricity conservation:

Dextrus has meticulously designed its spaces to maximize the use of natural daylight, reducing reliance on artificial lighting. Smart meters are deployed to monitor and manage electrical usage efficiently, ensuring that energy consumption is kept to a minimum. Additionally, motion sensor lights automatically turn off in unoccupied areas, further cutting down on unnecessary energy use.

Water conservation:

Dextrus has installed low-flow water fixtures throughout their facilities, significantly reducing water consumption. Dextrus has also found a practical solution for rejected RO water by repurposing it for toilet flushes and landscaping. To improve soil quality and water retention, Dextrus has replaced traditional soil in planters with clay pellets, which also reduce the need for frequent watering.

Waste Management:

Dextrus has focused on minimizing paper wastage by using recyclable paper and eliminating single-use plastics. Employees are educated on effective waste management practices to foster a culture of sustainability. Furthermore, innovative materials and techniques are employed in construction and build requirements to minimize environmental impact.

Commitment to sustainability:

Dextrus has strategic partnerships with organizations like Saathi Pads, which provides biodegradable sanitary pads and Padcare, which recycles and reuses disposed sanitary pads. These collaborations highlight Dextrus’s dedication to reducing environmental footprint. The partnership with Skrap ensures a comprehensive waste segregation system, enhancing overall waste management efficiency.

Inclusivity:

Inclusivity is a core value for Dextrus. The company has made significant efforts to accommodate all individuals by incorporating slopes at entry points, providing gender-neutral bathrooms and ensuring that facilities are wheelchair accessible.

Emerging Trends in Coworking Spaces and the Role of Dextrus

Niche spaces:

The coworking space industry is undergoing rapid transformation as it adapts to the evolving needs of modern professionals. Among the emerging trends, creating niche spaces has become increasingly significant. As businesses and freelancers seek environments tailored to specific industries or professional needs, Dextrus stands out as a leader in innovative space design. By focusing on creating specialized environments, Dextrus caters to diverse sectors, ensuring that each space not only meets functional requirements but also fosters a unique community.

Rising importance of Tech:

Technology integration is another key trend shaping the future of coworking spaces. Modern coworking environments must address a variety of client needs, and Dextrus is at the forefront of this evolution. The company is adopting advanced enterprise solutions, task management tools, and the latest communication software to streamline operations and enhance user experience. These technological advancements are crucial for maintaining productivity and connectivity in today’s fast-paced work culture.

Sustainability is the key:

Sustainability has also become a critical focus within the coworking sector. As businesses and individuals become more eco-conscious, the demand for environmentally responsible workspaces is increasing. Dextrus is leading the way with initiatives aimed at energy conservation, water management, and waste reduction. By implementing green practices and sustainable technologies, Dextrus not only reduces its environmental footprint but also sets a standard for others in the industry.

Flexibility mandate:

Finally, flexibility in space solutions is emerging as a significant market trend. The ability to adapt workspaces to varying needs is crucial for accommodating different team sizes and project requirements. Dextrus excels in providing flexible solutions, offering spaces that can range from small, intimate setups to larger configurations with as many as 20 workstations. This adaptability ensures that clients can scale their workspace needs in response to changing demands.

• As a leader in the co-working industry, what inspired you to enter this space and how has your journey been so far?

Dextrus Journey:

In 2016, the seed for Dextrus was planted, driven by a curiosity about the real estate and design landscape in India. Dextrus was inspired by the evolving needs of modern businesses and the potential for innovation in workspaces. The idea was to create a unique synergy between design and business, leveraging the dynamic nature of coworking spaces to meet the demands of a growing and diverse market. The business of coworking spaces, as we see, is more than just shared offices. It represents a fusion of sophisticated design and strategic business thinking. This approach required a holistic view of real estate, going beyond traditional development to include every facet of design, build and management.

In 2018, Dextrus launched its first coworking center in the bustling Business District of Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai. The center quickly established itself with more than 95% occupancy as a hub for professionals and entrepreneurs, embodying the company’s commitment to blending aesthetic appeal with operational excellence. Dextrus continues to expand its footprint, reflecting a successful foundational philosophy which is a testament to its ability to adapt and innovate within the competitive real estate market, making it a notable player in the Indian coworking industry.

Future Plans:

Dextrus is poised for expansion as we embark on the launch of our third center at BKC One. Building on the success of our initial centers, we are keen to broaden our footprint both within Mumbai and across other major cities in India. As mentioned above, the journey began with the first center in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), setting a strong precedent of an impressive 95% occupancy rate. The second center outperformed expectations with over 90% occupancy in its inaugural year. These achievements have bolstered our confidence and reinforced the potential for growth.

As we progress with our expansion strategy the idea is to grow towards a couple of more centers in the coming years, we need to maintain the high standards of our design and functionality. Our focus remains on replicating the successful model across Mumbai and extending its reach to other cities across India. However, recognizing the complexity of the real estate market, our approach towards expansion is with caution and precision. Each new location will be meticulously designed to align with the company’s high standards, ensuring that every space meets the unique needs of its clients while maintaining a productive and collaborative environment. Moreover, we will need to continue investing in robust internal systems to support this growth and maintain operational excellence across all centers.

• What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to enter the co-working space or the broader real estate market in India and How important is flexibility and adaptability in running a successful co-working business in today’s dynamic market?

Pointers for entrepreneurs looking to enter coworking space:

Entering the coworking space sector requires a strategic approach, especially for start-ups aiming to make a mark in this competitive field. Given below are some recommendations for entrepreneurs in coworking start-ups to ensure success and business sustainability. By following these recommendations, entrepreneurs can navigate through the complexities and build a resilient and successful start-up.

• Identify Market Needs Accurately: Understanding and addressing the specific needs of your target market is essential. For instance, Dextrus has carved a niche by focusing on unique design elements and exceptional service. Identifying what sets your coworking space apart and how it aligns with market demands can significantly enhance your appeal. Conduct thorough market research to discern the preferences and pain points of potential clients, which will help in tailoring your services to meet their needs effectively.
• Expand Beyond Core Expertise: While having a core area of expertise is valuable, managing a coworking space requires a broad skill set. Entrepreneurs must be prepared to handle various facets of the business, from property management and marketing to customer service and financial planning. This holistic approach ensures that all aspects of the business are covered and can help in navigating challenges that arise in different areas.
• Customize Offerings Based on Market Trends: Staying attuned to market trends and adapting your offerings accordingly is crucial. For example, businesses that previously focused on long-term commitments are now favoring more flexible arrangements due to the rapidly changing business environment. By customizing your coworking solutions to meet these evolving preferences, you can attract a broader range of clients and stay relevant in a dynamic market.
• Exercise Patience and Prudence: Real estate investments, including coworking spaces, often yield slow returns. Entrepreneurs must be patient and prudent, understanding that building a successful business takes time. Focus on gradual growth and maintaining financial discipline to weather the slow return phase and position your business for long-term success.
• Maintain Focus and Humility: Finally, maintaining focus and humility is key. Success in the coworking space sector often comes from a steady, incremental approach rather than seeking immediate big wins. Embrace a growth mindset, stay committed to your vision and be open to learning and adapting as you progress.
• Delivering service excellence: It is important to cultivate a collaborative culture by prioritizing open communication and mutual support among team members. This will be possible by providing an environment where feedback is welcome and diverse perspectives are valued. This internal cohesion will extend to external interactions, enhancing client and vendor relationships through unparalleled service standards. Encouraging networking within the coworking community will also help gain fresh business insights. An empathetic leadership and a supportive atmosphere will develop a robust organizational culture that not only drives internal success but also positively impacts service delivery and reputation.

Importance of flexibility and adaptability in coworking:

In order to stay ahead, modern businesses need flexibility and adaptability in a world that’s always shifting. One of the biggest perks of coworking is the flexible rental terms. Traditional office leases often lock business into long-term commitments, but coworking spaces offer much more freedom. This means businesses can scale up or down as needed without the worry of being stuck in a rigid lease, making it easier to manage costs and adapt to market changes.

But the benefits don’t stop at just having the right space. Coworking environments are great for fostering connections and collaboration. Sharing a workspace with other entrepreneurs and businesses opens up spontaneous opportunities for brainstorming, partnerships and networking. Many coworking spaces even host events and workshops, further encouraging interaction and collaboration.

Flexibility also shines in the variety of membership options available. Whether you’re a freelancer who needs a quiet spot or a growing startup that needs more room, coworking spaces have a range of plans to fit different needs. This adaptability is perfect for businesses that are expanding or shifting directions. In short, flexibility is key to what makes coworking spaces so successful. They help businesses thrive in an ever-changing world and hence coworking spaces will continue to play a big role in shaping how businesses perform.

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Understanding the shared working spaces: a Geography of Co-working supply in Delhi

• Published: 28 December 2022
• Volume 88 , pages 3439–3453, ( 2023 )

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• Alok Tiwari   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-8151-0648 1  

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The present paper investigates the location pattern of co-working spaces in Delhi which is absent in the existing body of knowledge. Delhi is a political, administrative, educational, scientific and innovation capital that accommodates many co-working spaces in India. We developed Ordinary least squares (OLS) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models to understand the associations of co-working spaces of digital labourers with other urban socio-economic, services and lifestyle variables in Delhi using secondary data for 117 coworking locations in 280 municipal wards of NCT-Delhi. Model diagnostic suggested that the GWR model provides additional information regarding geographical distribution of coworking spaces, and density of bars, median house rent, fitness centres, metro train stations, restaurants, cinemas, cafés, and creative enterprises are statistically significant parameters to estimate them. The importance of coworking spaces has increased in the post-disaster period, so this study informs public policies to benefit people and companies who choose coworking routes, and recommends urban planners, developers, and real-estate professionals to consider the proximity of creative industries in planning and developing coworking spaces in the future. Also, in the post COVID-19 period, to increase local jobs and long-term place sustainability, a localised policy intervention for coworking spaces in Delhi is highly recommended.

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Introduction

Coworking spaces are mushrooming worldwide as a new type of corporate real-estate market that is making traditional office spaces obsolete (Echeverri et al., 2021 ). The rapid proliferation of the digital economy (Ayres & Williams, 2004 ), creative economy (Florida, 2004 ), shared economy (Wu & Zhi, 2016 ), and gig economy (Stewart & Stanford, 2017 ) into global economic space gave birth to the innovative system of spaces organising digital labour (Dorschel, 2022 ) that is popularly known as coworking spaces. Undoubtedly, coworking is a promising and prosperous segment of corporate real-estate at present estimated to offer a workplace to 5 million digital workers at 42 thousand locations worldwide by 2024, with a 158 percent increase since 2020 (Coworking Resources, 2020 ).

A decade ago, the first modern co-working space was introduced at Mohan Estate in Delhi, NCR, in the year 2013 (Raju, 2020 ).We chose Delhi to understand the locational pattern of co-working spaces, because Delhi is the second largest populated city in the world where the commercial real-estate market is highly expensive (Business Line, 2021 ). Apart from that, the city traffic is highly congested in comparison to many Asian and European cities (TomTom International, 2021 ). India (as well as the Indian capital Delhi) is one of the countries where information cost is cheapest (Hindustan Times, 2022 ) that is an integral locational determinant for coworking spaces (Mariotti, 2015 ). However, there is a lack of studies that explore the geography of coworking spaces in Delhi, hence this study is an attempt to fill the knowledge gap.

Therefore, using the global or Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model (Zhou, 2019 ), and secondary data for 117 coworking locations distributed over 280 municipal wards of NCT-Delhi; this paper addresses two main questions: (1) Where are the main locations of co-working spaces in Delhi?

(2) To what extent, are these co-working spaces associated with other urban socio-economic, services and lifestyle factors?

Literature review

Sharing economy.

Sharing Economy (SE) facilitates shared access to facilities and commodities in a peer-to-peer (P2P) mode through digital platforms (Puschmann & Alt, 2016 ; Richardson, 2015 ). In a Shared economic model, individuals share access to a variety of assets and services (Lovic, 2020 ). Such kinds of access are usually convenient in nature (Eckhardt et al. 2019 ) which has expanded across a diverse range of products and services, including shared-lodging i.e. Airbnb (Zervas et al., 2017 ) and co-living (Mellner et al., 2021 ), shared-mobility i.e. Uber (Kim et al., 2018 ), food-deliveries (Tandon et al., 2021 ), shared-clothing (Eckhardt et al., 2019 ), food deliveries, non-bank payment providers, and co-working (Weijs-Perrée et al., 2019 ).

Many studies have indicated that the sharing economy has emerged because of the growing need to exploit the value of underutilised assets and provide them to individuals in need through a digital platform, resulting in accessibility to assets without owning them (Stephany, 2015 ).

Scholars have also argued that the sharing economy is highly promising because of its intention to use underutilised assets in a manner that can enhance competence, society, and sustainability (Heinrichs, 2013 ). Another study asserts that the sharing economy stimulates sustainable communities (Mi & Coffman, 2019 ). The sharing economy illustrates a radical change in the behaviour of consumers (Harmaala, 2015 ; Nerinckx, 2016 ) that lessens resource uses in general and encourages sustainable consumption of assets (Heinrichs, 2013 ; Heo, 2016 ) leading to creating opportunities of savings, income and employment generation (Fang et al., 2016 ), sustainable economic growth (Bonciu & Bâlgărm, 2016 ), and strengthening the social bonding and cohesion within urban communities (Kopnina, 2017 ; Laamanen et al., 2015 ; Munkøe, 2017 ). On the contrary, some studies argue that the sharing economy is merely a swift and innovative form of the market economy (Curtis & Lehner, 2019 ).

Links of new economic approaches with the coworking

The eminence of coworking has been growing exponentially over the years (Bouncken & Reuschl, 2018 ; Parrino, 2015 ) in the large metropolitan cities of the world, which could be explained by the advent of the creative economy (Waitt & Gibson, 2009 ), shared economy and digital economy; and the novel way of organising workers under it (Moriset & Malecki, 2009 ). Cities in both developed and developing economies are rapidly espousing the coworking culture of the internet age (Fuzi, 2015 ; Wang & Loo, 2017 ). Coworking spaces could be termed as essentially shared workspaces in which the providers offer office amenities, and infrastructure on rent to the individuals who wish to avail benefits of freelancing together with like-minded folks (Arora et al., 2013 ; Capdevila, 2013 ). The desire for enhanced communication, seamless collaboration, and innovative design are the core reasons for producing contemporary coworking spaces (Khazanchi et al., 2018 ). Lessons from artists’ incubator projects reflect that coworking has advantage of economies of scope rather than economies of scale (Whitaker, 2021 ), it supports the thought of working alone together, and this has become possible only because of the rapidly growing number of distant workers, self-employed, and freelancers who are basically knowledge workers and dependent on high-speed communication and computation (Clifton et al., 2019 ). As of today, knowledge professionals have the freedom to choose their place and time of work due to the pervasive computing facilitated in modern coworking spaces (Armondi & Di Vita, 2017 ).

Digital economies have differently worked on different economic activities as far as their spatiality is concerned (Mariotti et al., 2017 ). The rise of co-working or work-from-anywhere culture has yielded higher geographic flexibility and productivity (Choudhury et al., 2021 ). It has been proving beneficial to start-up founders, minorities, females, free and open market supporters, and overseas entrepreneurs (Howell, 2022 ). Though evidence on the geographies of coworking spaces is mixed. On one hand, cloud computing and faster means of communication have dissociated knowledge workers from the static job-locations (Moriset & Malecki, 2009 ), even some scholars claim it as the end of geography (O’Brien, 1992 ) or the end of distance (Pons-Novell & Viladecans-Marsal, 2006 ). However, on the other hand, geographical clustering and branding of co-working locations are evident in most of the urban regions (Nathan et al., 2019 ) in which mobilities play a crucial role (Shearmur, 2021 ).

Coworking spaces

Coworking spaces are well known as the hubs of internet entrepreneurs (Wang & Loo, 2017 ), and researchers have been linking them to hackers (Pauline, 2005 ) while some others deem it a disruptive phenomenon in the urban real-estate market (Sutriadi & Fachryza, 2021 ). Authors claimed that such spaces encourage entrepreneurship even in sparse regions (Fuzi, 2015 ).

A literature review (Akhavan, 2021 ) of coworking spaces defined it as the ‘third place of work’ and reported that literature on coworking spaces belongs to multiple disciplines, including planning, geography, sociology, economics, and business management, among others; and in the past decade it covered three broader categories of analysis i) geography of coworking spaces, ii) communities and lifestyle of co-workers and iii) impact on coworking spaces on varying size of cities. The concept of third place (Oldenburg & Brissett, 1982 ) was initially introduced as public spaces that are different from the traditional dualism of places, namely home as the first place and workplace as the second place.

New coworking spaces are branded as the funky (informal) offices that are the epitome of the new economy, and designed to remove the monotony of the traditional office spaces (van Meel & Vos, 2001 ). Most of the authors agree that coworking spaces are vibrant, affordable, motivating and offer a workplace for professionals from different backgrounds to interact with each other while aspiring to knowledge sharing and co-creation (Fuzi, 2015 ; Parrino, 2015 ). Some countries are also conducting trials to explore the possibilities for public servants to work at co-working spaces (Houghton et al., 2018 ). Next, studies have suggested that locational determinants of manufacturing firms (Mariotti, 2015 ; Özdemir, 2002 ) could also be applied to service sector enterprises of which coworking spaces are an innovative example. Based on the above, locational determinants of coworking spaces might be assembled into 4 categories (Mariotti et al., 2021 ) including, (i) traditional locational factors, (ii) social, environmental and institutional context, (iii) policy framework and (iv) information cost. We used traditional locational factors, social, environmental, and institutional contexts to model the geography of coworking spaces in Delhi. We also note that the Startup India Initiative (Government of India, 2016 ) might be thought of as a supportive policy measure for coworking spaces in India that offers funding support and incentives, and industry-academia partnership and incubation. However, this policy is in its initial implementation stage and commenting on it will be hasty. The fourth location determinant is ineffective herein due to cheaper data tariffs.

Coworking spaces at global cities

An earlier study from Brisbane and Melbourne (Felton et al., 2010 ) recommended that unique supportive strategies and policies are required to sustain creative industries rooted in communication technologies at outer sub-urban locations, such policies and strategies should be different from those dealing with the creative industries operating in inner cities. Although these authors did not use the ‘coworking’ term.

In the case of Milan, authors found that coworking spaces are an urban product that is often developed in the vicinity of creative clusters, having a profound impact on the work, leisure, and culture of the city (Mariotti et al., 2017 ).

A study in Manhattan (Zhou, 2019 ) concluded that coworking locations are significantly correlated with transport links, random discoveries and events, and lifestyle-related amenities. The study further suggests that coworking spaces are highly clustered and agglomerated into mixed-use areas permitting uninterrupted access to urban amenities and resources.

An empirical study of coworking spaces in Beijing (Huang et al., 2020 ) reported that these spaces are typically agglomerated near the concentration of creative and knowledge enterprises in high-density mixed-use areas, bank upon underutilised commercial spaces. Another study in Barcelona (Coll-Martínez & Méndez-Ortega, 2020 ) detected 4 key features of coworking spaces as follows:

The density of coworking spaces is higher in the central areas of the city where the probability of meeting with clients and vendors is much greater.

Coworking spaces are in proximity to urban amenities.

Coworking spaces are allied with distinct place-image.

Coworking spaces are coagglomerated with the creative industries inclusive of those epitomic and artificial knowledge based.

Coworking in India

Co-working is not entirely new to India, and it has been reintroduced and branded with new features, new design, and new amenities (Das et al., 2019 ). In India, co-working spaces are a sprouting concept that is in high demand because of their cost-effectiveness, and flexibility (Banerjee, 2021 ), it is also anticipated that employers would diminish permanent workspaces and would utilise co-working spaces to cut-down their expenses over traditional office spaces (Bhattacharyya & Nair, 2019 ). Vibrant and attractive cities including Bengaluru, Pune and Delhi have a conducive environment to develop creative classes that have drawn the attention of co-working space providers like European cities, i.e., London, Milan, Paris, and Berlin (Berbegal-Mirabent, 2021 ). At present, co-working spaces hold 3% of the market in India’s overall office inventory that is projected to attain a worth of approximately $2.2 billion and surpass an aggregated floor area of 50 million square ft by 2022–23 (Business Line, 2020 ). However, the co-living spaces in India are mostly available inside small-scale refurbished buildings that are an outcome of adaptive-reuse projects (Jain, 2020 ). Market analysts are optimistic that the coworking model will continue to rule even in the coming years (Chadha, 2021 ).

Also, hybrid models of working in the form of coworking spaces are in demand in the post COVID-19 period as businesses are now compelled to hunt for flexible spaces that might open new avenues for this innovative workplace (Ranjan, 2022 ). A recent study (Pacchi et al., 2022 ) suggests that local policymakers can play a vital role in assisting coworking spaces to encourage local employment and protracted place sustainability after COVID-19 ends up.

Materials and methods

Only a few studies till date have explored the geography of co-working spaces in global cities, including Manhattan-New York (Zhou, 2019 ), Barcelona (Coll-Martínez & Méndez-Ortega, 2020 ), and Milan (Mariotti et al., 2017 ) among others. A pertinent study has modelled co-working spaces through Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) using parameters, neighbourhood social atmosphere (population density, age, race, household income, education level), neighbourhood environment (medium house rent, proximity to park) transportation connection (subway stations, bus stops) Discovery and events (place of interest, theatres, museums), Life convenience (grocery, restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centres, drinking places), and Promoters of innovations (University and research institutions and creative enterprises),and co-working spaces as dependent variable (Zhou, 2019 ). Another study explored the locational pattern of co-working places through the identification of geographical clusters (Mariotti et al., 2017 ) while a recent study used the kernel density function to analyse agglomeration and co agglomeration of co-working spaces and creative industries (Coll-Martínez & Méndez-Ortega, 2020 ). As mentioned earlier, i) traditional locational factors, ii) social, environmental, and institutional context, iii) policy framework, and iv) information cost might determine the location of coworking spaces in an urban area. We used the first two determinants to determine the geographical distribution of coworking spaces in the study area. Whereas traditional locational factors consist of transportation connections and promoters of innovation that assure supply of a qualified workforce; social, environmental, and institutional contexts are reflected in neighbourhood social atmosphere, neighbourhood environment (medium house rent, proximity to park), transportation connection, discoveries and events, and life convenience.

Fine scale data at municipal ward level is not available for Delhi. So, based on data availability and a thorough review of the above mentioned studies, this study obtained data on dependent variables through Cofynd ( https://cofynd.com/ ) which is a leading online portal in India to list co-working and co-living spaces with the tariffs, amenities, photographs, and locational info (FPJ Web Desk, 2021 ). Additionally, this study used a total of 16 parameters, including population density, median house rent, proximity to park, bus stops, theatres, museums, places of interest, grocery shops, restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centres, bars, universities & research institutions, and concentration of creative enterprises to understand the geographical variability of co-working spaces in Delhi (Table 1 ). Data collection for this study was carried out during January–February 2022, when the city had almost recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many corporate real-estate providers claim their spaces as coworking spaces, but this study included only those who offer at least 10 essential amenities listed in Table 2 . claims All independent variables were also scrutinised for multicollinearity that might affect the quality of estimators in regression models; we used multicollinearity variance inflation factor (VIF) to detect multicollinearity (Grekousis, 2020 ). No multicollinearity was present in the data as the VIF values for each of the independent variables were below 5 (Table 1 ).

GWR proved useful in detecting spatial variability of parameters to estimate an outcome variable. Researchers have used it frequently in detecting determinants of a spatial event in several cases (Aljoufie & Tiwari, 2021 ; Tiwari & Aljoufie, 2021 ; Zhang et al., 2019 ).

The National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) or Delhi is the capital of India with 16.8 million people (Registrar General & Census Comissioner of India, 2011 ). It is the second largest metropolitan city in the country, based on population size. Delhi is the largest commercial hub in northern India, and the seat of the union administration, national parliament, supreme court, and many other institutions of national importance.

Delhi is among the quickest growing states with an appealing real-estate market (IBEF, 2021 ) and an emerging hub of new economies in India (Chaudhry, 2021 ). The service sector is the sector where the largest number of workers are employed (ET Bureau, 2022 ), this is probably the reason why the size of coworking spaces in Delhi might be likely to increase. This sector contributes 84.59% of the total GDP in Delhi and more than 95% workers work in this sector (Planning Department Delhi, 2020 ).

First, the study measured the individual effects of independent variables through OLS and GWR methods (Table 3 ) to determine which variables are retrainable for further models based on the significant p -values (< 0.01) and higher variance explained through R 2 (> 0.20).

The results of the initial regression models indicate that attractions, population density, and distance to park are not significant because of their higher p -values ( p  > 0.01), also eliminated estimators like bus stop, art galleries and museums from the models because of their lower R 2 values.

Subsequently, final OLS and GWR models were developed using the remaining 9 variables.

Results of the regression model (Table 4 ) reveal that ‘density of bars’ is a significant parameter at the global level, and it is significant for 45.1% of the wards at the local level with a positive sign (Fig.  1 ). This sign is logical as bars are one of the integral factors in recent urban lifestyle for recreation (Karsten et al., 2015 ).

Geographical distribution of bars by local t-scores and beta coefficients in the GWR model

Additionally, ‘Median rents’ is also a significant estimator at the global level, and it is significant for 41.3% of the wards at the local level with a positive sign (Fig.  2 ). The sign is convincing as the wards consisting of co-working spaces are also associated with smart living locations (Baiardi, 2018 ) seeking higher rents.

Geographical distribution of median house rents by local t-scores and beta coefficients in the GWR model

Moreover, ‘density of fitness centres’ is another significant variable at the global level, and it is significant for 59.6% of the wards at the local level with a positive sign (Fig.  3 ). The sign is obvious as a previous study found a positive association between fitness centres and coworking spaces (Gruenwald, 2020 ).

Geographical distribution of fitness centres by local t-scores and beta coefficients in the GWR model

Furthermore, ‘density of metro stations’ is also a significant parameter at the global level, and it is significant for 28.6% of the wards at the local level with a positive sign (Fig.  4 ). This sign is obvious as earlier research found a positive correlation between fitness centres and coworking spaces (Zhou, 2019 ).

Geographical distribution of metro train stations by local t-scores and beta coefficients in the GWR model

Whereas ‘density of restaurants’ is not a significant parameter at the global level while it is significant for 16.2% of the wards at the local level with a negative sign (Fig.  5 ). This sign seems logical as food delivery applications are becoming increasingly popular by which consumers can order food from restaurants that are located far from their workplace (Pandey et al., 2021 ).

Geographical distribution of restaurant densities by local t-scores and beta coefficients in the GWR model

Also, ‘density of cinema’ is not a significant estimator at the global level while it is significant for 10.7% of the wards at the local level with a negative sign (Fig.  6 ). The sign is convincing as the majority of coworking locations offer big screens with mini cinema inside their premises (Morgan, 2020 ).

Geographical distribution of cinema densities by local t-scores and beta coefficients in the GWR model

Similarly, ‘density of café’ is not a significant parameter at the global level while it is significant for 16.2% of the wards at the local level with a positive sign (Fig.  7 ). The sign is convincing as some coworking locations are positively correlated with the cafes in global cities (Zhou, 2019 ).

Geographical distribution of cafe densities by local t-scores and beta coefficients in the GWR model

Likewise, ‘density of grocery shops’ was not a significant parameter at the global and local levels.

Finally, the presence of ‘creative enterprises’ was a significant factor in the location of coworking spaces. This is logical as many of the previous studies conclude that coworking spaces and creative enterprises are tangibly coagglomerated (Coll-Martínez & Méndez-Ortega, 2020 ).

Model diagnostic

A diagnosis for both the OLS and GWR regression models using the sum of the squared estimate of error (RSS or SEE), corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc), Adj. R 2 , and Log-likelihood indices. RSS measures the unexplained variance in a dataset used in a regression model (Hurvich & Tsai, 1993 ). In addition, AICc quantifies estimation errors, and marks the quality of the regression models for a dataset (Cavanaugh, 1997 ), a lower AICc score shows a better model fit, eventually (Oshan et al., 2019 ). Moreover, the log-likelihood function indicates the fitness of given data in the regression models, this criterion indicates the appropriateness of a variable intended for explaining an observed value (Ishiguro et al., 1997 ). Furthermore, Adj.R 2 assesses the explanatory power of the linear regression models modified for the number of parameters used in the model (Miles, 2005 ).

The model diagnosis reveals that the RSS values for both models are lower in the GWR model (137.174) than the OLS model (164.370). Again, the AICc value is lower for the GWR model (659.801) than the OLS model (679.122). Whereas the adjusted R 2 value was higher for the GWR model (0.485) in comparison to the OLS model (0.417); and the log-likelihood values were higher in the GWR model (− 302.640) than the OLS model (− 329.167). In brief, the GWR model outperformed the OLS model.

This investigation into coworking space pointed out several associations between the coworking spaces and urban socio-economic, services and lifestyle factors. Results of the OLS model indicate that the density of bars, median house rent, fitness centres, and metro train stations have statistically significant correlations with the co-working spaces. GWR regression explained the spatial heterogeneity of those associations and provided some additional information, and found that restaurants, cinemas, and cafés also correlated with coworking spaces. The results of this study suggest that the geographical distribution of co-working spaces is not random in Delhi, which reinforces findings of some earlier studies in Milan (Mariotti et al., 2017 ) and New York (Zhou, 2019 ).

Additionally, this study also adds to the findings of Coll-Martínez and Méndez-Ortega ( 2020 ) who established that coworking spaces are agglomerated at central locations that have greater probabilities for connecting vendors and consumers of creative industries, and coagglomerated with the urban amenities and image of the places.

Moreover, coworking spaces in Delhi are coagglomerated with creative enterprises. It is in line with the findings of Coll-Martínez and Méndez-Ortega ( 2020 ) who reported similar findings in the case of Barcelona.

Furthermore, development of coworking spaces in India is still at a nascent stage, and demand for such spaces is expected to increase after the pandemic as the large-size caproate are also changing their work models and chasing for flexible working spaces, and embracing the culture of coworking spaces (Ranjan, 2022 ). Hence, the results of this study will be useful for government, urban planners, developers, and real-estate professionals who are interested in the planning and development of coworking spaces. In the post COVID-19 era, a localised policy on coworking spaces in Delhi may enhance place sustainability in the long term, and accelerate opportunities for local jobs.

Conclusions and policy implications

This study explored the location patterns of co-working spaces in Delhi, which is an emerging sub sector of commercial real estate. Using OLS and GWR models, this study supports the results of some previous studies (Mariotti et al., 2017 ; Zhou, 2019 ). This study observed a significant role of creative enterprises in the clustering of coworking spaces. It means coworking spaces are following the spatial pattern of creative enterprises (Table 4 ). Therefore, in the future, it might be beneficial to develop coworking spaces at locations close to creative industry clusters.

In the post COVID-19 period, coworking spaces might provide a hybrid model of flexible working or working with leisure and optimal safety in nearby places. Hence, in the circumstances after the pandemic, the government should consider the possibilities of a coherent work policy for Delhi so that aspiring workers and companies can opt for the coworking route. Also, after COVID-19, a localised policy intervention is essential to boost local employment and protracted place sustainability, like the recommendations made by authors after analysing coworking spaces in European cities (Pacchi et al., 2022 ). The government should also amalgamate incentivisation of coworking spaces in their policies so that coworking spaces can bloom and decongest the traffic scenario of Delhi. Further studies are recommended on the topic. Aforesaid policy measures could be added to the Startup India Initiative (Government of India, 2016 ).

The findings of this study might also be advantageous for urban planners, developers, and real-estate professionals who are working to develop the commercial real-estate sector. They should consider the location of creative industries while planning coworking spaces in the future.

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Why are India’s coworking spaces getting popular?

Not very long ago, ‘working’ was synonymous with going to a physical space, sitting in a fixed cubicle, maybe teaming up with fellow workers then heading home after a day’s work. This fixed 5-days-a-week, 9-to-5 routine would be repeated week after week, month after month.

Work culture today is different. Technology has enabled us to be more flexible with our time and location. People can sit in any part of the world and yet work together, at their time and convenience. The traditional 9-to-5 routine is not so routine anymore.

Besides, there are more entrepreneurs and start-ups, more consultants and freelancers, and definitely more fluid work systems. All of these factors put together have given rise to a spurt of co-working spaces, and India is no exception to this phenomenon.

These shared office spaces attract individuals looking for a place to work, or a group collaborating on a project, a start-up or an SME. They would rather use precious time and resources on their core offering than on investing time in finalising a suitable workplace and putting the necessary infrastructure together.

What does coworking offer to the Indian business landscape?

A thriving environment.

Shared spaces provide the perfect opportunity for forming symbiotic business relationships and networking. Here, it is possible to meet people from diverse backgrounds, discuss new ideas, and collaborate with free thinkers from different industries.

Part of a larger community

This same interaction shows individuals the vast world that exists beyond their sphere. This helps them understand and adjust to changing dimensions of the work world. The vibrancy and diversity that each individual brings into the co-working spaces creates an ecosystem of ideas and innovations.

The right balance

Working within a set environment, with the same set of people, and following the same procedures can sometimes narrow one’s perspective . Being part of a shared environment allows individuals to collaborate, get exposure to new ideas, different ways of working without letting go of their independence.

The freewheeling freelancers

A fair chunk of the people utilising these office spaces are freelancers who want the freedom and flexibility to operate from anywhere. Shared spaces offer them a professional work setup without the actual hassle of owning or renting it out. Meeting rooms for interacting with clients in a professional setting beats a coffee shop.

An inspiring work environment, ready infrastructure and the latest technological support are some reasons that make co-working spaces so attractive to many freelancers.

The business of travel

The same works for business travellers too. Not every business or company has an office where its clients are. At such times, having a professional business centre to bank on is critical. And the appeal of getting the same levels of service in different cities is undeniable.

Webinar and conferencing facilities

Unrestrained internet connectivity and efficient tech support are the basic requirements for conducting a successful seminar or VC, which freelancers don’t have access to from home or coffee shops. That’s where shared spaces come in with their superior internet connections and tech-enabled VC options. Besides, of course providing the ambience to create the right first impression.

Benefits for MNCs

As multinational companies expand into newer markets, they can consider working out of shared office spaces. Such set-ups make more business sense as they can be customized. They also require low security deposits and minimal effort for administration and facilities management.

The tech-savvy peeps

The entire world, literally and figuratively, is in the palm of one’s hands nowadays, thanks to smart phones and mobile apps. Co-working spaces have been smart to catch up with this trend and offer apps that enable freelancers and businesses to book shared office spaces and meeting rooms on the go and in real-time.

How fast are coworking spaces growing in India?

Given the many benefits co-working spaces offer to various sets of people, it is no surprise that the co-working ecosystem is growing exponentially with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. More and more Indian companies are aggressively expanding across the country. One of them for example is  Insta Office , which now counts 13 locations in Gurgaon, New Dehli, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar. Another example is Gurgaon-based GoWork , which has only two campuses but boasts a whopping total lease capacity of 800,000 sq.ft and desks for around 12,000 people.

The landscape is now composed by over 100 companies in the country and is estimated that the overall number of spaces will more than double over the next two years, pushed both by independent owners and larger corporate projects.

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This co-working space in Delhi is the perfect match for millennials

With millennials dominating the workforce today, the entire work culture has seen a shift. Along with the startup culture, the look and feel of the workplace too has changed, from what it used to be a decade ago. Gone are the traditional workplaces with their corner offices. Instead, accessibility, transparency and productivity are the need of the hour, more so with start-ups. Catering to this very need is BHive-11 Coworking in New Delhi—a vibrant space where function meets aesthetics.

Bright colours and rich materials make this space a happy haven

Made for Millennials

Designed by architects Sanjana Mathur, Ujjwal Sagar and Anuroop Hari of Studio Bipolar, the space is spread over 3,800-square-feet. “The main idea which guided us was to design a space that spoke to the millennial startup culture. With many young professionals opting out of their traditional corporate jobs and choosing to go the startup route, the owners of BHive-11 wanted to create a space that allows young people to collaborate and network,” says Mathur. The team undertook extensive research in the pre-planning stages to find out what the millennials really want. They not only conducted surveys to understand the clients' needs but also visited competitors to see what they had done differently. “Our research allowed us to evolve our design philosophy and program. We collaborated with the CEO and community managers of the co-working space to come up with a concept that allowed us to create a vibrant aesthetic while maximising efficiency and profits” adds Sagar.

Colours for the Win

In keeping with the young vibe of the space, a neutral palette with pops of colour was selected. Yellow, white, grey and pinewood were selected as they were part of the branding. “We chose to add oranges, blues and greens to add contrast,” adds Mathur. Faux green grass and white brick cladding along with distressed white walls were introduced to give the space an edgy, youthful look.

The space is replete with carefully curated art and graffiti to make it more engaging. “We found a local artist to paint beautiful murals throughout the space. Every cabin has a hand painted motivational quote to keep the inhabitants engaged and motivated,” shares Sagar. A mural featuring a multi-coloured deer was painted on a double height wall. Another interesting piece of art is the set of canvas paintings depicting a tiger which features in the brainstorming room. Yet another artistic element is the huge neon tube signage in the lounge area which says ‘Make it happen.'

Happy Environment

Speaking about some of their favourite spaces, Mathur draws attention to the event-space-cum-cafeteria which has cafe-style as well as vertical seating. The far wall has a screen that can be used for workshops or community events like movie screenings and so on. The brainstorming room is another one of the team's favourites. “We put a comfy sofa against a pinewood chevron wall and pouffs all around. A whiteboard has been placed above the coffee table so that teams can ideate,” elaborates Mathur. Artificial grass has been added so that people can take off their shoes and break out of office mode to stimulate their minds.

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