Coworking 22@

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!!!

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.

The word “coworking” is becoming more and more familiar to us, as these spaces have become the preferred workplaces for many companies to carry out their work in recent years. But why is there a growing preference for them? You’re probably wondering what the key to the success of coworking spaces has been, right?

Without a doubt, the answer is clear: their endless advantages. Did you know that the history of these centers dates back to the mid-90s? However, it wasn’t until the last four or five years that they really began to expand and become an increasingly common way of working for thousands of entrepreneurs.

What is coworking?

Let’s start by clarifying exactly what we mean when we talk about coworking. It is a new way of working in which freelancers, remote workers, and entrepreneurs come together to work collaboratively. Everyone works on their own projects and tasks, but at the same time, they can establish personal and professional connections with each other, making it a very attractive work style!

In a way, it’s like working at a company, but instead of having colleagues from different departments, you are surrounded by people dedicated to other sectors, with a wide variety of talents and specialties.

The work environment is ideal for achieving concentration, but in addition to working, there are areas where you can relax and interact with other coworkers.

Who is coworking for?

The reality is that this new way of working isn’t just intended for one specific type of professional. For anyone looking for flexibility, a professional and pleasant work environment, and affordable prices, coworking is an ideal option!

However, it is true that this is a very interesting work style for all those digital nomads, whether they are remote workers or freelancers. A laptop and internet access are all they need to work and develop their projects from anywhere, so coworking is perfect for them.

Now, you might think that we already have those two things at home, right? But what we don’t have is the opportunity to work surrounded by other professionals from different fields, who make us more productive and influence our mood to carry out our tasks.

Advantages of being a coworker

As you can see, coworking is the ideal way to grow professionally, expand job opportunities, and invest in new businesses or projects. As the general manager of CoWorking Spain points out in an article about the great flexibility this new modality provides, this way of working is more attractive and effective than staying at home to work. And why is that? Pay attention! We’ll explain all its advantages.

• Work flexibility: A flexible schedule is an increasingly important condition for many people in their jobs. Not having to depend on a fixed arrival and departure time at the office is a real luxury for anyone, and coworking is characterized by that. You won’t have fixed working hours, no one will monitor your coming and going—the organization of your time is in your hands! Additionally, at newwork, we provide you with the possibility of working in different offices, depending on the environment you need to allow for your concentration and inspiration. You can reserve the one that best fits you on a monthly or hourly basis.
• Company: Did you know that the feeling of loneliness negatively influences our performance and mood when we work? Many of you may have felt lonely working from home, from a coffee shop, or anywhere else. The good news is that through coworking, you will never feel isolated again. You will find yourself surrounded by all kinds of people, some dedicated to the same thing as you and others to something that has nothing to do with you, but that’s what it’s all about—learning new things and mutually benefiting from your different knowledge!
• Project visibility: That’s right, coworking is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss to make your business known, show others your talents, and try to create connections with other entrepreneurs. Don’t let your talent go unnoticed by working in isolation. Maybe other people in the office could help you grow it and you don’t know it yet—why not find out?
• Cost reduction: It’s inevitable to think about expenses when renting a place to work, especially if your company is a startup and you’re just starting out in the business world, but don’t worry! We want to clear up your doubts on this topic and make it clear that working from a coworking space will be much more affordable than setting up a private office. Forget about rent bills and utility payments. At newwork, we take care of all administrative matters and services, so you can develop your business without these kinds of concerns.
• Top quality service: As you know, when it comes to working, there are many aspects that take on great importance. For example, lighting greatly influences how comfortable we feel and how pleasant the environment is. A fast internet connection is another key point for our workday to go smoothly. We take this and much more into account in each of our offices—we want you to feel as comfortable as possible!
• Increased productivity: For many, improving productivity will be the most relevant factor. After all, we are there to work. Coworking companies are full of professionals focused on their work, with fresh and innovative ideas. Together, you will form a creative space that will give you the boost you need to carry out your tasks as best as possible. In this way, along with everything mentioned above, it is projected in the final result: quality work.

Why choose newwork?

It’s true that there are currently many coworking companies, as more and more entrepreneurs are showing interest in this attractive work style. However, the excitement and drive we have put into this project is unimaginable!

It all started in 2015, and since then, with the idea that users could get to know each other and have the possibility to freely change environments every day—in addition to developing their work productively, of course—we have been developing our offices more and more.

Today, we have excellent facilities that make everyone feel completely at home. Additionally, we have locker rooms, multiple areas where you can rest and clear your head, and a rooftop! Despite the great effort it took, we managed to make the rooftop part of our project.

If you are looking for an office rental company in Barcelona, don’t hesitate to trust ours. We offer different plans that include all kinds of prices, so you can find one that suits you.

Are you ready to let your ideas flow in a coworking company?