Incubating creativity

FREEWHEELING Bangkokians latched on to the idea of co-working spaces almost as soon as the concept was launched in the city more than a year ago. Thanks to efficient cloud-computing and fast Internet connections, demand from digital nomads quickly grew leading to this flexible alternative to working from home mushrooming all over town.

Two brand new co-op workspaces, however, go far beyond the fully serviced facilities and modern office space offered by their competitors, and have added such lifestyle-oriented services as a brasserie, hostel and spa to make the working day a far more pleasant experience.

 

ONEDAY

Oneday is taking Bob Marley’s message “wake up and live” to a new whole level, offering the independent businessperson or traveller the chance to work, eat, relax and sleep all under one roof.

That roof is in fact an old warehouse on Sukhumvit Soi 26, which has been transformed in a loft-style, two-storey complex. You sleep in Pause the designer hostel, wake up to an all-day breakfast at Casa Lapin X26, then settle down to business in Forward, the fully equipped co-working space. There’s even a flower shop called Wallflowers where you can buy a bouquet for a friend or decorate your desk with a little greenery.

“We wanted to create a space where you can spend your entire day. You can relax and take a pause at our hostel and forward all your work at the co-working space. People are always on the move and prefer flexibility and we are catering to this lifestyle,” says Yiwa A Voravudhi, co-owner and the project manager 

A collaborative project of the collectives behind such successful enterprises as cafe chain Casa Lapin, architectural and interior design firm Begrey, stylish restaurant Fatbird and the Avora31 Residence, Oneday morphed from abandoned warehouse to a 1,500-square-metre contemporary space within just seven months.

Forward is a done up in industrial-chic style with floor-to-ceiling windows, polished bare cement, iron beams and rustic walls giving it an edgy urban feel. There are 21 individual seats, two mini offices and two meeting rooms together with a communal space for relaxing and reading and a pantry where you can grab coffee and tea and snacks. 

“People today prefer to work freelance or set up their own businesses. And they want an efficient but stimulating environment with a variety of payment options to suit their budgets,” adds co-owner Ruamporn Thavornathiwas.

 

 

The prices are indeed varied and flexible starting from Bt350 a day for the shared working space and going up to Bt42,000 per month for a mini office that can hold a maximum of eight persons. The meeting room, which accommodates 10, can be hired for three hours at Bt3,500.

“Most of our customers are freelancers, designers, web developers and start-ups who don’t want the headaches of high rent or setting up an office. We offer not just a workplace, but a community where people can connect with other entrepreneurial types. We have an accounting company that rents our meeting room for their staff just to change the working ambience,” says Yiwa.

The adjacent hostel has dormitory-style rooms with four, six and eight beds as well as en-suite private rooms. Ladies have their own place in the six-bed lady dorm. Each room has its own characteristic design but they all share a vintage and rustic look.

Beds have thick mattresses for maximum comfort and the cubicles are equipped with their own reading light, electrical socket and a big locker on the side while the private rooms have own safety boxes and refrigerators. The shared bathrooms include high- pressure showers, hair dryers, separate wet and dry zones and dressing rooms. 

The communal kitchen is designed like a glass house with hanging green plants and boasts refrigerator and microwave. Prices start at Bt650 for a bed in the dorm and an en-suite private room goes for Bt2,000.

At the front of the building is Casa Lapin’s fourth branch and like its siblings, it boasts a Slow Bar where you can enjoy a good of cup of coffee the way you like it – drip, AeroPress, French press or syphon. The restaurant serves international, Thai, fusion dishes as well as an all-day breakfast.

 

THE HIVE

After making millions in the computer game business, Hong Kong-based Briton Constant Tedder recently opened the Bangkok branch of his co-working space The Hive in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Soi 49. 

Tedder has worked with British interior designer James Waterworth, who designed the private member club Soho House in Miami, to give the Hive Bangkok industrial chic look that’s all the rage. The seven-storey building is home to co-working spaces, a rooftop bar and brasserie and a foot spa is scheduled to open soon.

“We looked at Jakarta, Singapore and Shanghai but Bangkok seemed the obvious choice because of its diversity of activities and creative businesses. Bangkok has tremendous energy and more and more people are deciding to unshackle themselves from the corporate treadmill,” Tedder says. 

“The co-working space has become more popular and we want to be part of that by combining a creative workplace with food and a leisure space. Film screenings and talks for entrepreneurs will also be held on a regular basis.”

Light streams in through the large windows giving the wood-dominated space an airy feel. Every floor has a communal lounge with comfy sofas to take a break from work and share ideas with like-minded folk. 

“We don’t attempt to be too smart. We prefer to create a relaxing open space with plenty of wood and natural light,” adds Waterworth. “And we spice up the atmosphere with colourful soft furnishings.”

Spreading over a generous 1,200 square metres, it houses 150 desks, multipurpose meeting rooms complete with projector, television and other multimedia tools and private offices. There are also telephone booths for private conversations and a concierge service that offers everything from printing to making dinner reservations.

The Hive doesn’t offer long-term leases and membership is by the month. A day-pass trial costs from Bt250. Monthly membership is Bt5,000 for a hot desk and Bt5,700 for a dedicated desk.

“Sitting at a desk all day, your brain concentrates for roughly 25 minutes at a time. Flexible space allows for frequent breaks and those can be enjoyed in the rooftop garden and bar,” says Waterworth.

“This is somewhere between house, office and boutique hotel,” adds Tedder. “It’s a creative space that draws like-minded people, so work connections, collaboration and creative productivity happen more easily.”

 

GRAB A DESK

>>> Oneday is about 200 metres from the mouth of Sukhumvit Soi 26 (BTS: Phrom Phong). Call (02) 108 8855 or visit www.OneDayBKK.com.

>>> The Hive is on Sukhumvit Soi 49, opposite the 49 Terrace Mall (BTS: Thonglor). Call (02) 662 6062 or visit www.TheHive.co.th.

 

WORK AND CHILL

Other co-working spaces in downtown Bangkok

>>> Klique Desk is on Sukhumvit Soi 23. Call (02) 105 6767, www.Kliquedesk.com.

>>> Hubba is on Ekamai Soi 4. Call (02) 714 3388, www.HubbaThailand.com.

>>> Muchroom is on Soi Pradiphat 23. Call (02) 618 7800, Facebook.com/muchroom working space.

>>> Ma:D is on Ekamai Soi 4 off Sukhumvit Soi 63. Call (085) 917 7795, www.Facebook.com/|madeehub.

>>> Launchpad is on the first floor of Sethiwan Tower on Silom Road. Call (02) 266 6222, www.LaunchPad.co.th.

>>> Joint Cafe & Workspace is on the 12th floor of the Asia Hotel parking building. Call (086) 324 3184, www.Facebook.com/jointbkk.

>>> Glowfish is at Asoke Tower on Soi Asoke (Sukhumvit 21). Call (02) 120 9600, www.GlowFishOffices.com.