Hey First name / there,

Rosee from Cobot here!

 

Our brains constantly map the spaces we inhabit.

 

The way we move through a space shapes how we feel, focus, and connect. That’s why the layout of your space does more than look nice; it supports your community and attracts new members.

 

This week’s guide takes a look at design layouts that work for you, especially if you’re also running a multi-story coworking space.

A good layout balances energy and calmness. When there are too many meeting rooms, a space can feel clunky and closed off. Without enough soft space, it risks feeling cold and sterile.

 

But the real goal? Flow. Keep people moving intuitively and comfortably from zone to zone.

 

Taking inspiration from Coworking Resources by Kisi, alongside other findings, here’s a layout mix that balances community, productivity, and flexibility.

 

These are the heart of your coworking space: hot desks, shared tables, and flexible seating where members spend most of their time. 

 

Keep them open, comfortable, and easy to rearrange as needs change. Research shows open, flexible layouts encourage collaboration and adaptability (SAGE Open).

 

It also helps to have a nearby amenity that people use often, like a sink, a water filter, or a quick-access counter, so members can step away briefly without leaving the flow of the space. Small touches like that make the layout feel intuitive and lived-in ✨.

 

These enclosed spaces support focus, privacy, and collaboration. Whether it’s a quiet 4-person pod, a private office, or a larger boardroom, make them soundproof, tech-ready, and well-lit for hybrid work.

 

Position them along main walkways so they’re easy to find, but use glass or partial partitions to keep them visually connected to the rest of the space. This maintains privacy without losing openness.

 

Kitchens, lounges, and event corners are where your community bonds and coworking culture comes alive. The University of Technology Sydney found that “facilitating spontaneous encounters” is key to coworking community growth (UTS Coworking Design Study).

 

Keep these areas visible from main paths; a glimpse of the kitchen or a cozy seating corner naturally invites people to gather.

 

Even small additions like a communal coffee counter or comfy chairs near natural light can spark connection.

 

A few small pods or secluded nooks make a huge difference. These spaces allow members to take calls, focus deeply, or unwind between meetings, and they support neurodiverse inclusivity.

 

Place them just beyond active areas, close enough to reach quickly, but calm enough to feel like a quiet retreat.

 

How well a space works depends on who uses it, how it’s managed, and how zones interact, not just how much floor area each takes up. These aren’t fixed rules, just helpful benchmarks that naturally shift with your building and members.

 

Multi-story spaces look great on paper, but in real life, there’s a catch: people stick to their floor unless they have a reason not to.

 

 

Make each level a destination. Café on Floor 1, event space on 2, quiet focus area or library on 3.

 

If you have one, make it a feature: wide, visible, and social. Add “perch” seating nearby, the impromptu chat zone.

 

Don't silo comfort; even your top floor needs a lounge or kitchenette.

 

Use colors, lighting, and signage that flow. Bonus points for atriums or glass cut-outs between floors, connection isn’t only physical.

 

A great example of this in action is workish.berlin, a coworking hub founded by Taylor Record and Lenny Leiter. Located in the historic Geyer-Werke film building, they’ve divided their space intentionally:

 

- A hands-on makerspace (The FabLab | NK) in collaboration with 42 Berlin

- A flexible, social ground floor

- Quiet work zones and private offices upstairs

- Plus a leafy garden for outdoor coworking in warmer months

 

Each level serves a purpose, and members use the whole space (even for parties).

Good layout means intuitive movement. People shouldn’t need a tour just to find the kitchen.

 

1.2–1.5m minimum. Bonus: This gives people space to move around easily and bump into each other for quick chats.

 

People should be able to see where the action is.

 

Group your workstations: quiet corner here, collab cluster there. Label them too. 

Good flow invites movement. Clear signs guide it.

The stuff you can’t see on the floor plan matters just as much.

 

Don’t block your windows with meeting rooms. Put focus areas near daylight.

 

Use dimmable LEDs that adjust with the time of day. Avoid harsh fluorescents like your space depends on it. (It does.)

 

Fresh air = fresh thinking. Invest in CO₂ sensors, open windows when you can, and throw in some greenery for both vibes and mild air filtering.

 

Use fabric panels, rugs, and design to control noise. Add white noise machines where needed. And yes, post those “phone booths only” signs.

The most underrated layout hack? Flexibility.

 

Today’s open zone is tomorrow’s workshop room.

Plus, adaptive layouts are a top trend among successful coworking operators (UTS Coworking Design Study).

 

Overhead tracks or raised floors can save you tons in retrofitting costs later.

 

Energy-efficient lighting, reclaimed materials, and smart HVAC aren’t just good for the planet; they also support good marketing.

 

💡 Impact Hub Berlin (also powered by Cobot btw ☺️) is a perfect example. They grew from a 100 m² coworking space to a 3,500 m² circular economy hub. Smart, modular design meets sustainability, and it’s earned them a Financial Times award as one of Europe’s Leading Startup Hubs.

 

I even snapped this during our last OKR day there: an upcycled Charitea bottle turned into a soap holder. 

 

Small things, big meaning. 👇

Good layout = a space everyone can use.

Inclusivity builds community. Don’t treat it like a checklist.

You don’t need a perfect layout on Day 1. What you need is a plan that allows for feedback, change, and growth.

 

Watch how people move. See where bottlenecks form. Ask your members what works (and what doesn't). 

 

The best spaces aren’t the ones that look great; they’re the ones that feel intuitive.

 

Get the layout right, and your space becomes more than just a workspace. It becomes a place people want to be.

The topic for next week is:

 (That Impacts Growth)" 🌱

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