From brainstorming to making new connections to socialising after work hours, collaboration office spaces are a great opportunity for businesses to embrace a more flexible and open way of working. However, if you’re not a creative type of business or have a very professional corporate culture, then a collaborative office space may not always seem like the best option.

Also, the open definition of what collaboration workspaces are, means there are lots of options in terms of their design and functionality. So, in order to decide what makes a great collaborative workspace for your business, you need to consider if it will fit in with your business and, if so, how?

What is a collaborative working space?

Although there is no set definition for what a collaborative workspace looks like. In general, it’s the concept of giving your team a large, open office space in which they can work and integrate more effectively. 

Rather than each colleague having their own individual desk spaces, collaborative offices have work stalls that provide all of the technology teams need in a shared resource. This is where the concept of hot desking comes in, allowing colleagues to freely move throughout the office depending on their schedules or needs. 

At Regus, we have many package options, including book-on-demand hot-desks, coworking spaces and business lounges in locations all over the world. 

What is the best collaboration space design?

The design of collaborative workspaces is as much about creating a comfortable and productive work environment as it is about encouraging social interaction. The best collaborative workspace design combines multiple types of work areas in one open-plan space. As well as having functional work stations where colleagues can focus and be productive, these types of workspaces also provide teams with plenty of options of spaces to work in. 

There are many collaborative workplace design options, from large, open meeting rooms where team members can brainstorm to long bench tables that encourage group working to lounge spaces where colleagues can sit and chat over a coffee. When considering the overall design of the workspace, think about the elements your team might need, as well as any equipment, furniture or technology that would help them be more productive. 

The best coworking spaces also put employee wellbeing at the centre of their design. Creating office interiors with plenty of comfortable office furniture, natural light, and good air quality are all essential factors that make colleagues happier, more productive and more collaborative. 

Regus offers vibrant coworking spaces and bookable meeting rooms in all our locations, including major cities and global transport hubs.

Does a collaborative office space work for everyone?

Although the market for coworking spaces continues to grow, with increasing numbers of people choosing these types of offices as their place of work, some businesses might not see these workspaces as the best option. To work out if this type of workspace will be great for your business, you need to consider: 

• Your business culture: if you want to encourage more collaboration and integration of your teams, then creating a coworking space could be a good option. However, if the process of collaborative working is entirely alien to your teams, then this type of workspace may not be suitable. 
• Your ways of working: one of the main benefits of creating a collaborative workspace is that it offers lots of flexibility in terms of ways of working. After COVID-19, more businesses are starting to open up to using office spaces as a place to connect and socialise as much as it is to work. If your business is also shifting in this direction, then collaborative workspaces are a great option. 
• Your budget: more big corporations are now moving into coworking spaces because of the flexibility that they offer when it comes to office packages. As well as including amenities, these packages also enable you to scale up or down depending on your needs. So you can rent more coworking spaces as you grow or scale back if more of your colleagues are working from home.

By considering these three elements and thinking about the types of collaborative spaces and their design, you can choose the ideal solution for your team and your business.

Find your ideal collaborative workspace

If you’re looking for flexibility in terms of space, costs and office design, then Regus coworking memberships are a great option. As well as having access to our centrally located workspaces, your teams will be able to enjoy the on-site amenities and state-of-the-art technology within these office’s collaboration spaces. 

This means you can enjoy connecting with like-minded businesses and individuals without having to worry about the overheads of a serviced office space. Instead, you can adjust your membership when you need to or book additional space on demand, making our collaboration spaces a great option if you’re looking for workspaces that grow alongside your business.