Inside a Swiss coworking space built for flexible working

The flexibility that coworking brings to the workplace market is a real advantage, not just for start-ups and entrepreneurs, but for major corporations too, drawn to short-term leases and decentralisation away from a single large office. It's a model that suits a wide range of working styles.

But what do the operators of coworking spaces think?

To find out we spoke to Lucio Kilcher and Janan Shakur-Kilcher, founders of Cospire coworking in Lausanne, Switzerland, who shared with us their experience of running a coworking space and building a business built around flexibility.

In their own words

The fledgeling business had only been open for four months before the pandemic forced them to shut their doors, but since reopening in May, they have had an influx of returning and new customers, eager to make the most of their workspace.

Opened in November 2019, Cospire is a relatively new coworking office with 28 workspaces and two private offices, as well as a meeting room, workshop, kitchen, phone booths and a lounge area for social events and presentations.

Originally a car part store, they completely renovated the workspace before moving in, a process which involved sourcing local materials and craftsman to create bespoke tables and unique interior stylings.

"We were conscious of using natural materials such as wood, glass, stone and plants to create a warm and inviting environment and we chose colours that were fresh, fun and calming. In addition to our modern design aesthetic, we also have a workshop with a 3D printer, electrical welding machine, and other technical tools which are not common in other coworking spaces - we wanted to have space for our members to work on a prototype without going to a makerspace."

Another welcome touch is their professional-grade coffee machine, complete with a special Cospire custom blend, sourced from a local roaster in Lausanne, expertly served up to all members and visitors.

A space built to adapt

Cospire has installed a third private phone booth for members who need to take calls privately, one of several small features that let the space flex around how people are actually using it day to day.

There's growing interest from individuals who usually work from a corporate office, looking for more local, less condensed working environments. 

"We see coworking spaces playing a big role in disrupting our working routine, outside office working will become the new normal..."

“The pandemic has been an eye-opening experience for a lot of people who believed the remote working approach to be impossible. In the mid-long term, we see coworking spaces playing a big role in disrupting established work routines. Moving away from traditional office working will become the new normal and coworking spaces will see an increased interest in the years to come.

Nevertheless, not all coworking spaces will profit in the same way. In our opinion, smaller coworking spaces will probably have an advantage compared to larger ones because of their limited amount of people, increased flexibility and their proximity to our living places.”

If you would like to find out more about Cospire, you can visit their website here, or follow them on Instagram @cospire.work

Many thanks to Cospire, who hosted a photoshoot with Flokk brand Giroflex in 2020, showcasing the giroflex 353 chair. Designed by Swiss industrial designer Paolo Fancelli, this versatile family of chairs is available in a multitude of matching styles, perfect for use in a range of environments within a workplace, and comes in a wide variety of colours and fabrics to match any interior design plan.

Photographer: Jonathan Mauloubier

Art Direction: BIG-GAME