Benefits of working in a coworking space

In 2015, I first got in touch with the then-owner of an industrial building in the heart of 22@. It was an old industrial components factory that had been abandoned for over 20 years. The former owner showed it to me; pigeons had taken over the 3rd and 4th floors, and seagulls had nested on the rooftop. You couldn’t even walk there because they would literally attack you with low-altitude dives. The owner explained that the building was facing foreclosure because they had been overwhelmed by heavy debts from the city council’s urban development plan.

Finally, in late 2017, a group of investors and friends were able to buy that same building from the bank with the idea of developing a new Business Center and coworking space.

The idea we were very clear about was to preserve the industrial spirit of the building and create a space with soul and personality.

The beginning of Newwork as a coworking space

The first step was selecting the architect Juan Trías de Bes. We immediately saw that his good taste and respect for the building’s identity stood out compared to other options that were more disruptive to the industrial environment.

From there, we spent 12 months conceiving the project, little by little like someone kneading bread. We sought advice on how important common areas are so that users can mix and flow from one space to another, freely changing environments with the feeling that every day is different. Today you work in a ‘McDonalds’ meeting room, then you have a coffee at the bar table, at noon you have an informal meeting in the entrance hall, and then you head out for some fresh air in the ivy-covered courtyard. In the late afternoon, you have a meeting on the rooftop with the sunset and all of Barcelona at your feet, and finally, you grab a beer with some music at an after-work event at 8 PM organized by Newwork because it’s Thursday. Tomorrow will be another day.

During the project, the partners agreed that we weren’t going to hire friends or family—it was forbidden. However, we ended up doing the exact opposite: the interior designer is the main shareholder’s wife, all the window screens were installed by a close friend of the partners, and the photos were taken by my mother, who is a photographer. This ended up being a strength because it gives the center a unique, family-like character that makes it especially welcoming for the user. That’s where our motto comes from: Newwork makes you feel at home.

The most challenging spaces in the Workspace

The hardest part was the ground floor, especially the central area next to the coworking space. We changed our minds about 500 times. At first, we were going to put in storage units, then a small gym, and finally, we decided to install small booths for phone/conference calls and U-shaped meeting tables that we call ‘the McDonalds,’ where people can have informal meetings or flex workers can work. Also, a locker room with showers for people coming back from exercising. I think we got it exactly right.

The rooftop was a big struggle because we weren’t willing to give it up under any circumstances. This was despite the fact that everyone involved, including the project management team, warned us about the licensing issues and cost overruns, trying to convince us to make it inaccessible… in the end, we even managed to get the elevators to reach the roof. I think the solar panel section is awesome; besides making the building energy-sustainable, it has become the iconic image of the business center, with U-shaped benches that allow users to enjoy an informal outdoor meeting with 360-degree views where you can even see the Barcelona sea.

See the result of Newwork in the 22@ district

The result is a Business Center that maintains its industrial character in the structure, but the interiors are absolutely modern and groundbreaking. More than 33% of the space is dedicated to common areas—incredible!!

I don’t know if we’ll do another Business Center or coworking space in the future, but what I’m completely sure of is that none will have the excitement and love that we’ve put into Newwork.

Welcome to Newwork, the workspace to feel at home. Now, enjoy it!!!

Industrial Building Renovation on Peru Street, Barcelona

The new coworking center located in Barcelona’s 22@ district aims to find a balance between two common principles in architectural renovation: the preservation of industrial heritage and maintaining its original volume, while elevating the building’s technical and environmental performance to the highest standards.

The former layout of activities was characterized by a logical organization of factory work: the lower floor, marked by its double height, housed the heavier activities, and in contrast, the upper floors accommodated less intense activities. This simple layout serves as a guide for the new proposal:

• On the ground floor, the spacious coworking area, communal zones, and user interaction spaces are housed, benefiting from the clearing and natural light from the skylights.
• The modular meeting rooms are located on the upper floors, arranged to allow enjoyment of the industrial landscape.

Regarding technical aspects, the building stands out for the delicate treatment of its facade, whose objective has been the preservation and, consequently, the prolongation of the useful life of the traditional materials present in industrial architecture. Similarly, the workspaces are technically upgraded to achieve the best energy rating and maximum air quality.

Visit Our Workspaces

When we were asked to handle the decor for New Work Coworking in Barcelona, it felt like a really exciting and interesting challenge.

The building was an old factory, so the industrial architecture with its straight lines and materials like concrete and exposed brick inspired us to create a style of decor that would bring in the color and warmth it was missing.

We salvaged vintage furniture from the ’60s and ’70s and mixed it with pieces we designed ourselves using organic shapes to balance out the straight lines of the existing architecture. We added plenty of wood in the wall paneling and furniture to bring warmth to the space.

Our work focused on three areas: the lobby, the mezzanine, and the terrace.

Interior Design in the Coworking Lobby

In the lobby, we achieved a very cozy effect by mixing greens and terracotta tones, natural fiber rugs, and oak furniture. Also, Pedro, one of the partners, asked for an iconic element, so we decided to place palm trees inside to add life and freshness. Another special touch we added was photography by artist Teresa Pou featuring two different themes—palms and architecture—which bring light and quality to the environment. We feel it’s very important to include local art in all the projects we do.

Coworking Mezzanine Decor

In the mezzanine, we designed an XL horseshoe-shaped sofa in terracotta velvet. The booth-style meeting nooks with organic-shaped sofas and tables give the space a modern and unique feel.

Coworking Terrace Designs

For the building’s rooftop terrace, we designed benches and tables made of iron and tropical wood. Since we wanted rounded shapes to be present in this area too, we designed legs using iron cylinders. The greenery also consists of palms and tropical plants to ensure continuity throughout the building.

The result is a cheerful, fresh decor that feels warm and high-quality. We believe we hit the goal we were given: decor with soul, a modern feel, and iconic elements.