Shared spaces people actually use

Start with an everyday need

Storing bicycles, welcoming a visitor and having somewhere to meet are different needs. Before proposing a multipurpose space, ask future users which activities they would share and how often. A concrete answer makes it possible to discuss size, location and equipment.

Distinguish daily use from requests for an exceptional occasion. If every activity requires moving furniture, booking far in advance or asking someone else for a key, review the proposal. Sharing should be practical, rather than another task for residents.

Agree who opens, cleans and replenishes

Design and operation depend on each other. A room can be well located yet stay closed because nobody knows who is responsible. Before approving it, write a complete use scenario: access, booking where needed, cleaning, storage and replenishing supplies.

Ask what happens when two activities overlap. The project needs to study the relationship with homes and circulation, as well as the relevant technical conditions. Calling a room a coworking space or community room does not by itself resolve how it will function.

• Who can use it, and how do they gain access?
• Who pays recurring costs and handles small problems?
• What happens if the intended use changes or has no demand?

Review the cost of sustaining the idea

Compare each proposal with a simpler alternative. A well equipped meeting space may be preferable to several rooms with uncertain uses. The decision should consider investment, upkeep and the time required from those who will manage the space.

In a multi-residential development, these agreements belong in the brief that should be defined at the beginning. Madercon can assess coordination of that process within a specific commission. The first step is to describe users, activities and available resources, before turning shared spaces into a list of features.