We find it slightly surprising that co-working spaces are still popping up all around the globe. But perhaps we should not feel that way. After all, large companies have been dismantling inflexible and oversized head offices in favour of teams telecommuting, working from home and gathering infrequently for meetings.
The focus of work is on results, not on how many hours you sit in an office or where or when you accomplish your task. That’s all welcome and healthy and good.
Many companies are also relying more and more on freelancers, and many former employees are happily adapting to the more flexible option of working for whomever they want.
Our bafflement is not so much about these phenomena as it is about the need or wish of people to work together, even if only in appearance. 
For many freelancers, working from home is not an option and sitting at coffee shops is unproductive.
But the more intriguing aspect of coworking is that working alone just does not work for everyone. While many want to be freelancers, they still crave the presence and/or cooperation of others. Plus they may need services and equipment that they don’t want to buy.
Coworking spaces are definitely maturing as a concept. They are no longer an experiment but a legitimate way of working and sharing space for everyone’s benefit.
Private memberships are also becoming more common at coworking spaces including in the new The New Work Project. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
The location is in the heart of the creative hub, in a former Castwell Foundry that was later the head office of Vice Media.
The elegantly black and white interior speaks volumes about this being a mature and fully grown-up concept. Gone are the jelly bean machines and ping-pong tables, the colourful bean bags and the slightly untidy frat-house ambiance.
The Brooklyn-based New Design Project design studio was in charge of the design and their handiwork is visible throughout.
To keep the local element at the forefront, they selected Brooklyn-based firms to create the ambiance.
Supercrown provides the caffeine with the appropriate vibe.
The custom coffee tables and breakout tables are the result of collaboration with J.M.Szymanski and local textile design firm Eskayel created custom murals for the conference rooms.
In this large and sophisticated space, 75 members are offered various access levels at various prices depending on services and usage. Tuija Seipell.
