No matter what you call them, they’re IN. Think Starbucks, think your local bookstore. Here’s the idea: human beings have a need for public spaces where they can go, hang out, meet with people and take refuge from the daily stressors of life.
It’s an age-old concept, but the idea of third places is taking on new meaning in an era of freelancers, independent contractors and teleworkers.
Consider Jelly . This is an informal group of workers that get together biweekly in someone’s living room to share ideas, work from their laptops and regain the community benefits of office life.
Then, there’s Paragraph and The Village Quill, more formal third places dedicated to providing a quiet work environment for writers in NYC. Equipped with cubicles, a kitchen, comfortable furniture and even a library, they provide an oasis from city life and a community of like-minded professionals.
Another being space called TwoRooms (also in NYC), took the concept further by adding childcare. Telecommuters, freelancers, etc. would drop-off their kids and work in the adjoining space. TwoRooms didn’t make it, but it won’t be long before someone comes up with a successful business model and makes this work. Office space provider Regus meets Kindercare, for example.
And, speaking of Regus…in April, the company announced the opening of their new business lounge concept in Silicon Valley. It offers private workspaces, open lounge areas, meeting rooms, videoconferencing services and a business library. And, you can buy a day pass instead of signing up for a monthly or annual membership.
So where does all of this leave us? The human connection is still important in our work. No matter how technological we become and no matter how much flexibility we have as workers, there’s still a need for us to get out of the house and be together.
posted by Kyra