Workshop17, contemporary and elegant co-working office space with seven locations across Cape Town and Johannesburg, believe that the flexible office industry can do more to support the local creative economy.
Their office spaces are furnished with the creations of local designers and furniture manufacturers who have a collaborative relationship with the firm. The partnerships facilitate the creation of local jobs, business growth and increased collaboration amongst local industry players.
Lead architect in the design of Workshop17’s office spaces, Nisha Parbhoo, shared that the firm is passionate about showcasing the work of local designers such as Marcus van der Hoven of Takk Studio, one of the few who exhibited work at Design Indaba 2020.
‘Workshop17 provides workspaces ideally designed for its member clients to ensure a refreshing and stimulating environment in which to work. We prefer to partner with South African designers as far as possible. It is inspiring and rewarding to be able to collaborate with local talent in creating uniquely beautiful work environments for our members.’
‘By working closely with local creatives, our workspaces can be designed to meet the unique needs of individual client members. Whether it's the curating of specific style paintings or the installation of fit for purpose cabinets and colour coding there is the flexibility to create the ideal flexible workspace to members' specifications.’
Picture: Lead architect in the design of Workshop17’s office spaces, Nisha Parbhoo, Supplied
‘There is a whole psychology around the design of a workplace and how work environments encourage creativity and innovation. Our workspaces are all very different from one location to the next. We avoid any formulaic approach’ Parbhoo said.
Houtlander co-founder Phillip Hollander, whose firm has designed standalone furniture, cafe tables and benches for Workshop17 said it was amazing to see the company supporting, appreciating and celebrating local designers.
‘It’s great to see organisations choosing to buy local and support local and making sure we grow the economy and that jobs are created locally instead of importing furniture. We have such a great pool of South African furniture designers and makers who don’t always get the jobs and opportunities. It has been amazing to see them appreciating and celebrating local,’ said Hollander.
