On Creating Workspaces for a Team of Teams: Learnings from a Case Study

Workspaces provide resources, facilitate (different) modes of working, and communicate an organization’s culture. As such they are a powerful resource to amplify the innovation culture of an organization. Changemakers and leaders of organizations face the challenge to create workspaces that promote innovative activities of teams. Companies too often copy well-known best practice examples and the physical design of the workspace is put into focus. Organizational structures and context are disregarded and the inherent needs of an organization and employees are neglected. As a result, the workspace is used differently as initially intended and expectations are not met. A methodological approach to the creation of workspaces that fit the needs of their users and managers is still needed. Impact Hub Berlin—a co-working space for social entrepreneurs, serves as example of a workspace that amplifies the collaborative culture of its community. The approach to the creation of its new workspace involves the integration of users from the beginning and, thus, the creation of a “shared ownership.” This concept, which can be applied to a wide range of contexts, provides the basis for a well-functioning, innovative work environment in line with specific organizational needs and objectives. This article provides an overview of insights gained through the exploration of the case.