Imagine this: Instead of being confined to one boring cubicle or working from home, you are working in a vibrant and lively space with like-minded professionals. Hold on; there’s more to it. You gain the complete freedom to switch your office as per your needs and preferences. The place you are dreaming about now actually exists and is known as a coworking space. If your first thought when you hear the word office leads you to a lifeless and monotonous life, the concept of coworking spaces can be a cathartic and mind-blowing experience for you.
What are Coworking Spaces?
Whether you are a freelancer seeking a change of scenery, a startup looking for an affordable workspace, or simply someone who enjoys the social aspect of working with others, coworking provides an exciting alternative to traditional office setups. On the one hand, where most traditional workspaces work on only one motto, efficiency at all costs, the main principle that coworking spaces rely on is development and well-being.
Coworking spaces can be defined as neutral work arrangements wherein self-employed people or people from different companies come together to work on independent or shared projects under a common shared physical space. Coworking spaces’ emergence and consequent popularity have changed our traditional workplace environments and successfully revolutionized how we view office life. Unlike traditional workspaces, coworking spaces are unique in the way that they constitute a myriad of people working together in terms of the companies they work for and their profiles.
Although sustainability and brio lie at their very heart, another great thing about coworking spaces is that they embrace innovation and change.
As the demand for coworking spaces continues to rise, operators are adopting innovative approaches to create sustainable workspaces that foster employee well-being. This article explores the evolving amenities of coworking spaces, focusing on sustainability and well-being aspects and their impact on productivity and satisfaction. India’s booming startup ecosystem and thriving freelance economy have strategically paved the path for the rapid rise in the popularity of coworking spaces. The vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem has led to a surge in startups and small businesses seeking affordable and flexible workspaces, networking opportunities, low-cost investments, and, most importantly, an environment that encourages work-life balance.
According to statistics, India ranks second in the world for having the maximum number of coworking spaces, with Bangalore and Delhi NCR taking the lead within the country. The coworking landscape in New Delhi is dynamic, with new spaces emerging regularly. Located in the heart of Delhi, Connaught Place is a prominent commercial hub and home to several coworking spaces. It offers a central location, excellent connectivity, and a bustling atmosphere, making it a popular choice for professionals and startups.
Most of these spaces offer amenities like providing comfortable workspaces, meeting rooms, high-speed internet, event spaces, printing facilities, and access to a global network of professionals. Coworking Space in Delhi will allow you to embrace the best of both worlds – savor the energy of city life while reaping the business advantages it offers.
Sustainability in Coworking Spaces
By being a workspace that is not only pro-members but also pro-environment, coworking spaces ensure sustainability through their commitment and efforts made to minimize their environmental impact and promote long-term ecological balance. The growth of these spaces in the contemporary world can also be attributed to their acknowledgment of their environmental responsibility. Coworking places ensure sustainability through various measures. Some of these are:
- Eco-friendly infrastructure: Coworking spaces ensure efficient design, construction, and operation of facilities to minimize their environmental impact and promote equitable resource consumption.
- These spaces encourage energy efficiency by making maximum use of renewable energy sources and energy-efficient appliances.
- Most coworking spaces have begun to use recyclable and low-impact materials in the making of furniture and interiors.
- You will find that many coworking spaces have also taken the initiative to integrate water-saving technologies such as rainwater harvesting systems and efficient plumbing fixtures to promote conservation.
- They also promote sustainable transportation options, such as providing bicycle parking, electric vehicle charging stations, and easy access to public transportation. E.g. most of the coworking space in New Delhi, Connaught Place are only a couple minutes away from Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, allowing members easy access.
- Many coworking spaces in Noida have now started incorporating green areas, such as rooftop gardens or vertical gardens, to enhance biodiversity, provide insulation, and improve air quality while at the same time not forgetting their aesthetic value.
- Community-based sustainability: Since coworking spaces work on shared resources, the collaboration between members helps battle the issue of resource wastage.
- By sharing resources like printers, WIFI, plug points, storage, private cabins, meeting rooms with projectors, etc., they reduce net consumption.
- Popular coworking brands have now started to organize sustainability-focused events, workshops, and campaigns to spread awareness.
By embracing sustainability, coworking spaces aim to create environmentally conscious workspaces that contribute to a greener future while meeting the evolving needs of professionals in a socially and economically responsible manner. Moreover, as both our awareness of the environmental impact and the necessary technology advance, these practices by coworking spaces are also bound to evolve further in the direction of sustainability.
Coworking Spaces and Well-Being
A recent study focused on modern Indian professionals indicated that 59% of the Indian workforce is not happy at work. It also suggested that a high sense of belongingness and a greater degree of autonomy at work is correlated with workplace happiness and, subsequently, job satisfaction. Thus, it is important not only what you do but where you work and who you work with also plays a massive role in your subjective well-being. Not only does a healthy work environment boost your self-esteem, but it is also found to increase your productivity at work. After all, a happy employee is an efficient employee.
Coworking spaces are built on the premise of providing you with an environment you are bound to thrive. Be it by providing a supportive and collaborative environment, fostering social connections, or recreational activities, they offer opportunities to grow both personally and professionally at multiple levels.
Coworking spaces are not just infrastructural giants providing you with a beautiful office; they aim to create a positive and inclusive community that promotes mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Some ways by which they achieve this goal are:
- Soothing work-environment
If you have visited any of the coworking places, you must have noticed how these spaces immerse you in an architecture and environment that exudes a serene and joyful ambiance, where every corner whispers relaxation and happiness.
Try googling “Coworking Space in Delhi.” One of the first things you’ll notice will probably be how different these are from your traditional offices. With vibrant furniture, indoor plants, and green walls, they automatically bring a sense of cheer and liveliness. You are kidding yourself if you have never imagined working in a place like this. With plenty of natural light and state-of-the-art interiors, these spaces are bound to boost your happy hormone.
- Wellness programs
Drawing on the results of research, many coworking spaces believe in the power of mindfulness and meditation in boosting well-being. By providing fitness facilities like exercise classes, indoor gyms, meditation spaces, and yoga sessions, coworking spaces do their part in relaxing both your mind and body.
- Cohesiveness
By cultivating a sense of belonging and support, it fosters collaboration, encourages networking, and provides opportunities for sharing ideas and experiences. The feeling of being part of a cohesive community promotes positive emotions, reduces isolation, and boosts overall mental and emotional well-being. Coworking Space in New Delhi, Connaught Place, also encourages inclusivity and diversity within the coworking community.
- Healthy work-life balance
If your regular office is a source of major stress, you should probably reconsider your working arrangements. With facilities like flexible working hours, freedom, relaxation zones, and even nap pods, coworking spaces have opened up unbelievable possibilities for achieving a healthy work-life balance. To know more about what it is and how you can reach your desired level of balance, read our blog – Setting Boundaries: Establishing Work-Life Balance for Stress Reduction.
- Perks, and then some!
If you have ever dreamed of working in an office with a gaming room, well, you are about to get lucky. In the realm of attracting and retaining top talent, the unbelievable magnitude of amenities offered by coworking spaces takes center stage.
Millennials and Gen Z professionals, with their penchant for sustainable and well-being-focused work environments, find themselves irresistibly drawn to coworking spaces that offer a mind-boggling array of perks and facilities. The sheer magnitude of amenities provided creates an experience so extraordinary that it not only captivates talent but also fuels higher employee satisfaction, leading to an astonishingly impressive talent retention rate.
Final Words
Coworking spaces have evolved into more than just shared office spaces. They have transformed into communities that prioritize sustainability and employee well-being. If the points mentioned earlier interest you, what’s stopping you from joining the right coworking place for yourself?
