Working in a traditional office setting is a thing of the past. Co-working spaces are on the rise and it has begun to change the way people work. Gone are working in isolated spaces in favour of open areas that are flexible, encourage like-minded individuals to collaborate and offer a sense of community. Whether you are a freelancer, a start-up or a small or medium organisation, we visited four stylish and new co-working spaces in Bangkok that will help the way you want to work.
JustCo
Mon-Sun: 8.30am-6pm / 9/F & 10/F, AIA Sathorn Tower, Sathon Tai Road / http://justcoglobal.com/th, http://fb.com/JustCoAIASathornTower / 02-055-8606
SETTING
On the ninth and tenth floors of AIA Sathorn Tower, JustCo's co-working space employs a vibrant and colourful colour scheme, from a large blue staircase in the middle to the wavy and abstract wall paintings by London-based, Thai artist Pomme Chan. Vivid pattern prints adorn the walls of individual working spaces (dubbed "quiet pods") and motivational neon signs hang on certain walls with encouraging phrases such as "Just stay positive, it will happen" and "Let's make work better", which fosters a sense of community. A reception area near the entrance, along with chic furniture, as well as the overall use of wood accents in the decor gives the place an impression of a casual and cosy hotel lobby rather than an office space.
COOL FACILITIES
In addition to JustCo's personal offices and meeting rooms, open areas are available for common use, including a hot desking area near the reception, as well as quiet pods, which can be used for those moments when you need to make a phone call or work quietly by yourself. Going with the playful vibe of the space, you can relax and sit on a swing chair or head to the gardenlike entertainment area, which includes a foosball table and a golf corner. If you need a bit of boost to get your creative juices flowing, a cafe offers artisanal beverages and quick bites, courtesy of Coffeeology.
EVENTS HELD
JustCo had their launch party last month where business partners and clients were able to check out what the company's first co-working space in Thailand has to offer, as JustCo is from Singapore, where they have eight branches. Last week, a canvas painting workshop was held by Thai artist Phannapast Taychamaythakool, where she painted a specially customised canvas for the space.
RATES
JustCo offers four packages: JustDesk Basic at B990/month, which gives access to their facilities one day a month, JustDesk Unlimited at B3,900/month for unlimited monthly access to desk-space, JustDesk Dedicated at B6,900/month for unlimited access to a personal reserved workspace and JustStudio at B7,500/month for an exclusive studio space.
Glowfish Sathorn
Mon-Fri: 8.30am-5.30pm / 2/F, Sathorn Thani 2 Building, Sathon Nua Road / http://glowfishoffices.com, http://fb.com/glowfishoffices / 02-109-9600
SETTING
Following their first branch in Asok, Glowfish's second branch in Sathon, is a few minutes walk from BTS Chong Nonsi. The space, with its highly modern interiors aims to accommodate both "the working introvert and extrovert" by providing quiet and collaborative spaces. The office spaces may look like your standard, modern workplace that merges casual and professional, but its conference hall with advanced lighting system is a sight to behold (along with the fish-shaped logo lights), as well as the creativity zone, a circular area surrounded by school of fish made of steel.
COOL FACILITIES
Glowfish Sathorn offers private and virtual offices, personal desks and meeting rooms. Gym aficionados or those looking to build muscles and burn calories after a day of slaving at a desk can look no further, Glowfish Sathorn houses two fitness centres for all your exercising needs -- Base and Physique 57. If you're looking to add more calories rather than burn them, head to the Glowfish Dining Hall where they serve quick food, perfect for those moments where you have to rush back to work. Indulge in Vietnamese-inspired cuisine at Viet Concept, try northern Thai cuisine at North Sathorn, eat some beef and rice at Hip Bowl or grab a cuppa at Kuppadeli.
EVENTS HELD
Glowfish Sathorn is notable for hosting various music concerts at their conference halls, including one of Joox's "The Primary Colour Series", which featured bands such as Polycat and The Toys, as well as Fungjai's "Fungjai Lab" series of concerts, which showcased up-and-coming Thai artists and bands of various genres from electronic to psychedelic rock. An open house for event organisers was also held in March. A terrarium workshop will be hosted by TM Studio tonight.
RATES
A desk starts from B500/day and includes perks such as furniture, 24/7 access key card and a free 3-hour use of the meeting room. The conference hall starts from B7,000/hour. Meeting rooms start from B1,000/hour.
The Great Room
Mon-Sun: 9am-6pm / 25/F & 26/F, Gaysorn Tower, Ratchadamri Road / http://thegreatroomoffices.com, http://fb.com/thegreatroomthailand / 02-073-0222
SETTING
What sets The Great Room apart from its competitors is how sophisticated it looks the moment you step inside. It offers a stunning view of the city, as it is located on the upper floors of Gaysorn Tower. With interiors that make it look more like a classy living room/penthouse than a regular co-working space, The Great Room is designed by Michael Fiebrich Design. From the marble floor to the curved timber walls and desks to the natural ambient lighting, you wouldn't get a classier working space than this. Co-founder and CEO Jaelle Ang hopes that the city view will inspire and energise you daily.
COOL FACILITIES
The Great Room offers a Drawing Room, which can hold up to 120 people, two studios that can house up to 50 people each, a state room, an atelier, a parlour and a circle room. Of course, hot offices and desks are available. Members can gain access to well-designed lounges and private phone booths, as well cleaning services and a complimentary Monday Breakfast and speciality coffee and tea. The co-working space is also pro-family, offering nursing and breastfeeding areas, as well as facilities for the disabled.
EVENTS HELD
Although The Great Room launched their first-ever Thailand branch last Thursday, the Singapore-based company have held events back in their country such as CEO media coaching events, lunchtime events, which featured musical numbers and even worked with Hendricks gin to solve a murder mystery activity, which promoted teamwork and building relationships among peers.
RATES
Dedicated offices start from B15,000/month, hot offices start from B9,500/month and virtual offices start from B4,000/month. A one-day pass costs B950.
Spaces Summer Hill
Mon-Fri: 8.30am-6pm / 3/F, Summer Hill, Sukhumvit Road / http://spacesworks.com, http://fb.com/spacesworks / 02-026-0635, 02-012-5100
SETTING
Amsterdam-based Spaces have opened their first Thai branch on the third floor of Summer Hill, bringing with it the design elements they are known for from soft and natural use of colours that help design their summer-inspired hub. As with all the other co-working spaces on this list, the office space is modern and offers a wide open space and city-wide view from their huge windows. Truly there is no other place to call home than your office. You can easily access Spaces Summer Hill thanks to its location right next to BTS Phra Khanong. A second branch in Chamchuri Square has had a soft launch and is expected to be fully functional around mid-July.
COOL FACILITIES
Dedicated desks give you a personalised workstation, as well as individual locker storage. There are soundproof phone booths for those important phone calls or if you require some time and space alone, you can opt to use one of their 12 Think Tank rooms. What's most impressive is that the glass walls of all meeting rooms and office spaces within Spaces also serve as whiteboards, where workers are encouraged to write and draw their ideas as markers are provided. Spaces has also teamed up with Rocket X, where the cafe provides snacks and drinks for workers who need fuel for creativity. Fitness24Seven, a Swedish chain that operates 24/7 serves as one of the co-working partners, so if you want to squeeze in some gym time, you may exercise as you please.
EVENTS HELD
Spaces have held numerous community events ranging from photography to blogging. Recent events include their discussion on blockchain on tourism in collaboration with the Netherlands-Thai Chamber of Commerce and Stenden Thailand.
RATES
Memberships start from B4,620/month. However, you could also rent dedicated desks starting from B6,880/month.
