Coworking space, WORX continues to grow
As we settle into the new year, it continues to be apparent that a safe space to work, connect and collab is essential, while pursuing the rules of distancing. WORX was created around the ideology of opening spaces that offered pliancy and attracted people with great minds and inspiring hearts. They were recently named one of Sri Lanka’s 7 Best Coworking Spaces by Nomadific – https://nomadific.com/best-coworking-sri-lanka/
Since opening its doors only a few months ago, the space has reached 100% capacity at their location at Jawatte Road and are now on the verge of introducing their second location at Havelock Road.
Excerpts from a conversation with Azahn Munas, Director of WORX:
What are the benefits of coworking vs a dedicated office space?
A co-working space is the perfect place to network, collaborate and create. Not only is it an inclusive and safe place to work, it’s also super easy and flexible! Our spaces are furnished and we provide all the tools and services our members will need to succeed. In other words, we like to focus on the little things, so they can accomplish the big things.
urthermore, a dedicated office space often comes with multi year lease agreements and contracts that are very difficult to exit. This is not the case with a co-working space. Our membership agreements are incredibly flexible and we allow our members to leave whenever they want. This is an incredible unique opportunity, especially in today’s environment and something our community values greatly.
Finally, co-working spaces are an amazing place to meet new people and network. For instance, WORX is a creative co-working space and our members range from digital nomads, graphic designers and photographers to marketing and tech startups. It’s a truly unique melting pot of creative professionals that you will never find in a dedicated office space.
From your own experience, what are the challenges posed by COVID-19 to business?
This has been a very challenging time for most businesses, including ours but amongst such uncertainty we have found a unique opportunity to provide workspaces for those who value flexibility and safety.
Some of the biggest challenges posed by COVID-19 to businesses are the immediate impact of localised lockdowns and their staffing arrangements. This is often a frustrating and challenging experience and we try as hard as possible to work with our members and support them as much as possible.
Another challenge as a result of COVID-19 is that we have had to adapt and change some of our core member experiences to prioritise the health and safety of our community. Besides the huge increase in expenses to ensure our building is COVID safe, we have also had to limit our seating capacity and postpone certain member events which has been frustrating to say the least. However, we always remain positive and we’re looking forward to going back to normal in the near future!
As more companies embrace remote working what will be the role of coworking spaces?
I think co-working spaces will play a tremendous role in the new age of remote working. Research has proven that working from home for extended periods of time leads to a decline in productivity and mental health. As such, co-working spaces like ours are a great place to not only get some work done but also experience a change in scenery, with the added benefits of social plus professional interaction!
At this current juncture, how would you describe the WORX community?
The community at WORX is an extremely varied and diverse one. What initially began as a hub for tech startups and digital nomads has now grown significantly to include creative professionals such as photographers, designers and artists as well as recruiters and event planners. So, it’s a very eclectic mix of people and we could not be happier with hitting 100% occupancy in less than five months of operation!
Could you share what attracted them to WORX?
Most of our members love the aesthetic and the overall vibe of our spaces. It’s very different to what is currently on the market as it doesn’t feel like you are coming to work. There’s plenty of greenery and breakout areas for creative thinking and brainstorming as well as two pools, rooftop terrace, outdoor cabana’s and an onsite kitchen, so the facilities we offer are pretty much unparalleled when it comes to office spaces in Colombo. We also have a great network of members and an amazing Member Support Team who are always ready to support our community as much as possible.
Are there any additional details you can offer regarding the new space?
The new space is going to look a little different to our current location as we want each site to be unique and different to one another. Whilst our Jawatte Road property was a conversion building (as it used to be a boutique hotel) our new space is purpose built. As such, the space is very modern and contemporary but also incredibly environmentally friendly (the building is run entirely on solar power, to minimise our carbon footprint!) The great thing however, is that both buildings are within walking distance from one another and being a WORX member enables access to both locations. Members therefore can truly experience the best of both worlds!
Is there a tentative launch date?
February 2021.
For more information on memberships and safety measures, visit www.worxsl.com
Stayed connected and upto date on IG – https://www.instagram.com/worx.sl/
Established in 2012, the Ceilão Group is the holding company for family owned travel and leisure brands. Focusing on hospitality investments in Sri Lanka, our businesses cater to both a local and foreign demographic. We understand that our land is rich in experiences and strive to showcase its beauty to travelers with the utmost professionalism. Our brands are young and exciting, each offering a fresh and contemporary take on hospitality.
For more information visit www.ceilao.com