Coworking Atmospheres

The study by Alexandra Bernhardt deals with coworking spaces and their atmospheres. In addition to a comprehensive consideration of the role of atmospheres, the special significance of community in the context of these work spaces is examined in more detail. Two case studies in urban coworking spaces form the core of the investigation, following a qualitative research design oriented towards ethnography and a plurality of methods. In the context of the analysis, on the one hand, what constitutes coworking in everyday life and thus the new communality at work is considered: relevant practices and rituals, spatial arrangements and atmospheres are elaborated in their composition. On the other hand, coworkers, their spatial actions, and the attitudes associated with them come into closer focus: It is shown how users access coworking spaces as work and community spaces and what role atmospheres play. In addition, social entities are highlighted that are taken up by coworkers in relationto their coworking space and that help shape everyday coworking space life. Tensions that arise from the coexistence of community and service logic are also uncovered, and how they are dealt with is examined in more detail.

Background of the emergence and characterization of coworking spaces Case portraits of the coworking spaces studied Tensions in the coworking space's everyday life

Autorentext

Alexandra Bernhardt is a sociologist of work and holds a PhD from Chemnitz University of Technology. As an expert on coworking and new work, she is professionally active in academia and in practice.

Inhalt
Introduction.- Background of the emergence and characterization of coworking spaces.- Theoretical concepts of reference: space, atmosphere and community.- Reconnection to the object of study and state of research.- Intermediate conclusion: Conceptual framing and research questions.- Methodological approach.- Case portraits of the coworking spaces studied.- Material Gestalt: practices, spaces, and atmospheres.- Subject Perspective I: Entering the coworking space.- Subject Perspective II: Unlocking the spaces of work.- Subject Perspective III: Unlocking the spaces of community.- Subject Perspective IV: Perceptions of the social entities of the coworking space.- Tensions in the coworking space's everyday life.- Concluding remarks.