Community Cultivator Space Voyage Field Trip!

On April 16th, the intrepid Office Nomads Community Cultivation team went on a voyage to visit 5 local coworking spaces, making connections and earning our Space Traveler mugs. The Seattle Collaborative Space Alliance offers a mug to anyone who visits 5 spaces (with photographic high-five documentation, of course). But we didn't make it to 5 spaces--we made it to 6! All aboard Phaedra, the Magical Coworking Bus, and hear the story of our epic adventure:

Space Name: WeWork

Coffee: Zoka

wework-logo

WeWork, a large coworking space in South Lake Union, was our first stop. With 3 floors, they are easily the biggest of the spaces we visited, and also the newest. Comprised mostly of private offices but with some lovely common areas and workspaces, WeWork has a polished and cool atmosphere--including beer on tap--as well as some stellar views. We got an amazing tour from Gina and got our high-five in front of a Sasquatch!

IMG_20140416_092537

Space Name: Impact HUB

Coffee: Equal Exchange

05db2450856f8c775f5cf48b062edc96

Next we were off to Impact HUB in Pioneer Square. The guys hanging out outside really dug our Westy! The HUB are old friends of ours, and their space has lots of light and a great vibe as always. Sarah, who is also a member of ON, showed us all kinds of neat things they've got going on. As we navigated the twists and turns of turn-of-the-century architecture in their recent expansion, we learned it was originally a brothel! Saucy! And we are totally stealing their on-glass meeting room reservation system.

IMG_20140416_101330

Space Name: Works Progress

Coffee: Alternates, currently it's Forest Voices

IMG_05291

Then it was off to Greenwood to visit our dear friends at Works Progress, Jessie & Marnee. Jessie greeted us and showed us around. Works Progress is on the smaller side, which adds a friendly and intimate feel to the space. They have reclaimed academic desks and a super cool eclectic feel.

IMG_05301

They have also added a whole new section since the last time we visited, with a bigger kitchen and meeting rooms.

IMG_20140416_105437

Phew, after all this we were getting hungry! So we made sure

Paseo's

, aka the land of the Best Cuban Sandwiches of All Time, was en route. After plowing through them with great vigor, we found ourselves pleasantly ahead of schedule, so we gave Ballard Labs a call to see if we could stop by!

Space Name: Ballard Labs

Coffee: Up to the members

8f5e9c7686d5f8f2850d8f592b2d50ea

IMG_20140416_121939

Ballard Labs is tricky to find but well worth the hunt. It's tucked away inside a shopping complex near the Ballard Blocks--we got turned around so many times we ended up on the roof!When we finally found our way to the door, we were greeted warmly. What a beautiful view their space has--and big huge windows, to show it off!

10168215_288077508034464_3437886453381892922_n

On our tour we learned that Ballard Labs rents their meeting rooms for events, so we will be sure to add them to our list of recommended meeting spaces. Also they had scotch.

IMG_20140416_124057

Space Name: Makerhaus

Coffee: Up to the members

Makerhaus

IMG_05361

IMG_20140416_132524

Next we headed to Makerhaus for a taste of a more physical brand of coworking. Located right on 36th in Fremont, Makerhaus offers access to expensive & complex tools that can often be out of reach for small makers--kind of like a tool library and coworking space in one--such as a wood and metal shop, 3D printing and laser cutting. Quite a few of the signs around Office Nomads were made at Makerhaus! We loved seeing all the projects the makers are up to.

Space Name: Lilospace

Coffee: Wine

IMG_20140416_140704

IMG_05391

Finally we pulled up to our final visit: Lilospace in Sodo. Nestled inside the historic Old Rainier Brewery, Lilo is a very small, artsy space with some very big-deal members. Sansaire, a team who developed a new type of sous vide cooker, recently had their Kickstarter funded to the tune of $800,000!  The space is run by Leo, a designer, photographer, and entrepreneur. He told us all about the journey of getting the space up and running and the story behind their suh-weet anatomical angel bathroom mural.

IMG_20140416_142210

They definitely win for coolest bathroom.

Back at Nomads, what was there to do but toast to our success with our brand new mugs!

IMG_20140416_144411

IMG_05331

A toast is just a high-five with mugs.See you next time!