There are some amazing things happening in the world of coworking, and here at The Bourse, New Haven’s Coworking Loft.  The movement is not just a phase or an opportunity to change stations. The energy that is put forth while working in the same space is similar to that of coexisting.  Coexisting is defined as existing in the same place at the same time.  Though difficult in a stuffy office area where sometimes coworkers are jammed pact together, a coworking space offers the room as well as the opportunity for flexibility and change. Even with someone working across the room, there is still a feeling of comradery that happens in a coworking space.  Email us about our day passes and affordable rates: bourse@boursenewhaven.com

Brief Definition and History of Coworking reposted from Wikipedia

Coworking is a style of work that involves a shared working environment, sometimes an office , yet independent activity. Unlike in a typical office environment, those coworking are usually not employed by the same organization. Typically it is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation. Coworking is the social gathering of a group of people, who are still working independently, but who share values, and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with talented people in the same space.

Citizens Space, San Francisco, CA

Some coworking spaces were developed by nomadic internet entrepreneurs seeking an alternative to working in coffeeshops and cafes, or to isolation in independent or home offices. A 2007 survey showed that many employees worry about feeling isolated and losing human interaction if they were to telecommute. Roughly a third of both private and public-sector workers also reported that they didn’t want to stay at home during work. Coworking offers a solution to the problem of isolation that many freelancers experience while working at home, while at the same time letting them escape the distractions of home.

Many misconceptions abound about what coworking encompasses and how it distinguishes itself from business accelerators, business incubators and executive suites. These types of spaces do not seem to fit into the coworking model because they often miss the social, collaborative, and informal aspects of the process, with management practices closer to that of a Cooperative, including a focus on community rather than profit. Many of the coworking participants are also participants in BarCamp and other related open source technology activities.

Coworking is not only about the physical space, but about establishing the Coworking community first. The benefits of Coworking can already be experienced outside of Coworking spaces, and it is recommended to start with building a Coworking community first before considering opening a Coworking space. However, some Coworking Spaces don’t build a community: they just get a part of an existing one by combining their opening with an event which attracts their target group.

A lot of Coworking communities are formed by organizing Casual Coworking events (e.g. Jellies) that can take place in private living rooms or in public places such as suitable cafes, galleries or multi-functional spaces. During these events Coworkers can experience the benefits of Coworking and get to know each other which lowers the barriers to join a Coworking space later.

A 2011 survey found most coworkers are currently in their late twenties to late thirties, with an average age of 34 years. Two-thirds are men, one third are women. Four in five coworkers started their career with a university education. The majority of coworkers work in creative industries or new media. Slightly more than half of all coworkers are freelancers. However, the share of salaried employees increases since larger companies start to experiment with coworking, especially in the U.S., where 35% work as salaried employee.

Demographics

Zonaspace coworking in Saint Petersburg, Russia

A 2011 survey found most coworkers are currently in their late twenties to late thirties, with an average age of 34 years. Two-thirds are men, one third are women. Four in five coworkers started their career with a university education. The majority of coworkers work in creative industries or new media. Slightly more than half of all coworkers are freelancers. However, the share of salaried employees increases since larger companies start to experiment with coworking, especially in the U.S., where 35% work as salaried employee.

History

The term “coworking” was coined by Bernie DeKoven in 1999, and in 2005 used by Brad Neuberg to describe a physical space which he firstly called ’9 to 5 group’.

Neuberg organized a coworking site called the “Hat Factory” in San Francisco, which is a live-work loft that was home to three technology workers, and open to others during the day. Brad was also one of the founders of Citizen Space, the first “Work Only” coworking space, and the space that spawned a global movement. Now, coworking spaces exist worldwide, with over 700 locations in the United States alone.

San Francisco continues to have a large presence in the coworking community, and is home to a growing number of coworking spaces including the pariSoma Innovation Loft, HubSoMa, and Citizen Space. The San Francisco-based consulting firm Citizen Agency has actively promoted coworking, starting a space called Citizen Space which rents desks but also allows free drop-ins in the public spaces.Coworking has also spread into many other metropolitan areas, with cities such as Portland, Oregon and Wichita, Kansas now offering several thriving coworking venues. The Bourse Coworking Loft opened in New Haven, CT in early 2011.

The Bourse, New Haven’s Coworking Loft

Several books have discussed the history, scope, and tenets of coworking, including: I’m Outta Here (October 2009) by Drew Jones, Todd Sundsted and Tony Bacigalupo; Coworking: How Freelancers Escape the Coffee Shop Office (February 2011) by Angel Kwiatkowski and Beth Buczynski; and most recently, Working in the UnOffice: A Guide to Coworking for Indie Workers, Small Businesses, and Nonprofits (August 2011) by Genevieve V. DeGuzman and Andrew I. Tang.