Layout for coworking space & child care

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Aliza

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Apr 12, 2012, 12:52:18 PM4/12/12
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Hello everyone! I am finalizing the layout for our coworking & child care spaces. We're starting with two adjoining blank boxes (an old warehouse, wood floors, 14' ceilings) so have complete control. I'd love to get your feedback on the attached images.

Thanks!

Aliza Schlabach
Founder, Coworking for Parents
Final_Coworking_nocounters.gif
Final_Kids.gif

Jerome Chang

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Apr 12, 2012, 3:36:19 PM4/12/12
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It's good to see that someone else is picking up where Felicity left off with Cubes and Crayons.  

Some notes:
I think your front desk should be more plugged in to the office.  I guess you'll just keep the doors open?  Or perhaps have doors into the child care and no doors for the office?  The front desk will want to collaborate/interact more with other coworkers as well.
From what I've learned (I have a 5-mo old), the pumping room should have a single, wide chair with arms  Couches don't help as much.
I think it'll be tough to convince others that your 4-person offices will be enough desk space for that size team.  You'll want to at minimum make the desk larger.  Your table seems only 30-36" deep - you'll want 24" min for each person, so 48".
If your kitchen hasn't been built out yet, consider how you'll use that space for events/gatherings.  In fact, mock up an entire layout just for events so you can envision how that'd work.  Test for 30-, 50-, 75, and 100 ppl.
You'll want a 2nd meeting room - reconsider one of your 4-person offices.
You don't have enough room in front of your bathroom doors for accessibility.  48" minimum.
Bathroom has the 5' turning diameter overlapping too much over the door.  12" max.
Shower doesn't have enough clearance for ADA
Access down the stairs into the childcare center is not feasible for the disabled.
These stairs need more landing at the double doors.
Where is the wheel-chair lift going to and from?  Doesn't look like it services anyone.
I'd consider some hooks on that bike wall, and perhaps a taller wall to hold more bikes.  Looks like that area can only stow about 6-8.
You'll need grab bars for the shower and bathroom
Are you permitting this whole space as a single office or separate permits?  I'd question the sufficient quantity of toilets for each gender.  In addition, the bathroom in the childcare area assumes one gender (presumably women), which wouldn't be allowed typically.
ok, I think that's enough.  :-D


Jerome
______________
BLANKSPACES
"work FOR yourself, not BY yourself"

www.blankspaces.com
ph: 323.330.9505 | 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) Los Angeles, CA 90036 

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Aliza Torok Schlabach

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Apr 12, 2012, 9:16:20 PM4/12/12
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Awesome feedback, thank you so much for take the time to go through this in detail Jerome!  I'll run your thoughts by the architect and make adjustments.

The entry / check-in area is plaguing me. I really want it to be more integrated with the other coworkers, as you said. But I'm concerned that children will be noisy (crying at times) coming in and out of the child care space, and I want to buffer that. Still working on coming up with a creative solution. So far all I have is a buzzer system, where that desk isn't manned (except maybe during the busiest hours), and non-members ring a buzzer and somebody comes out to check them in. 

NOTHING has been built out yet... so if you have any specific thoughts regarding the kitchen, please speak up.

Thank you thank you!

Aliza

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Apr 12, 2012, 10:20:15 PM4/12/12
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Ah hah!  I think I finally improved the check-in desk situation (attached). 
  • Offset glass doors means kids inside of child care center definitely can NOT see parents when parents exit/enter coworking space 
  • Check-in person (probably me, most of the time) connected with community. 
  • If I/they see someone come in with a child,  just step out doors to the other desk.
  • Ping pong table (foldable, easily moved for events?) moved to kitchen area for work space/eating. Seating shown here might be optimistic.
Thoughts?
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<Final_Coworking_nocounters.gif><Final_Kids.gif>

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