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In recent years, coworking spaces have become all the rage. But what’s cool about a co-working space that isn’t green? Given that the industry is “driving the future of work”, it is hugely important that coworking spaces make an effort to be sustainably-minded in terms of design, programming and overall offering. We scoured the city to find Hong Kong’s 8 most eco-friendly coworking spaces so that all you digital nomads can flexi-work AND be green about it.
1. Banyan Workspace
Banyan Workspace is the ultimate eco-friendly coworking location in Hong Kong so even though it’s a newbie (they opened this past September), we are giving it top billing. Offering more than just flexible work environments, the Quarry Bay space has been conceived with the planet in mind. Designed by Hong Kong-based ‘slow design’ interior architects S.LO Design, Banyan boasts green-forward fittings such as recycling stations (including compost!), energy-efficient lights, wooden lockers, wallpaper made with sustainable and natural raffia and birch, and air purifying plants. Plastered across the space are reminders to switch off power. Perhaps the most impressive is their stone hot desk planters that are made from demolition waste. They even have reusable lunchboxes on offer, locally-sourced snacks from St James’ Place, and plant-based milk Oatly available on tap (!).
Banyan regularly hosts green educational workshops that promote a reduce and reuse culture, and they also organise wellbeing programming for their members, such as their recent Breathworks morning. They have partnered up with multiple social and environmental non-profit organisations too, such as Teach For Hong Kong (TFHK), OneSky, Redress and Plastic Free Seas, which they direct 2% of their revenue to.
Address: Banyan Workspace, Suite 1204, Eastern Harbour Centre, 28 Hoi Chak Street, Quarry Bay.
2. Garage Society
Garage Society is a Hong Kong-based network of coworking spaces around the world. Locally they have four locations and while the Sheung Wan and Central locations both feature an outdoor terrace, their Wan Chai space has an additional rooftop urban farm by Rooftop Republic, which hosts a range of farming experience activities year-round. Their Sai Ying Pun branch, on the other hand, is pet-friendly and regularly hosts Hong Kong’s vegan neighbourhood block parties in partnership with Tuckshop by Social Club, the in-house café stocked with Oatly, other plant milks and vegan nibbles.
Address: Garage Society, in multiple locations.
3. theDesk Strand 50
theDesk has multiple locations scattered across Hong Kong, but their Strand 50 location in Sheung Wan deserves a mention for their green rooftop feature. The 29,000 square-foot indoor workspace, which is equipped with recycling facilities, is accompanied by a spacious outdoor terrace (also powered by Rooftop Republic), where users can grow and harvest their own food and herbs thanks to dedicated planters. In addition, the terrace is used to host regular green activities, such as educational farming workshops on the weekends. Our very own Sales & Partnerships Manager Ana herself is learning all the how-to’s of urban farming at theDesk every Saturday- follow our IG Stories to keep up with her progress.
Address: theDesk, 2/F, 50 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan.
4. The Mills Fabrica Space
Nestled in Tsuen Wan’s newest arts and culture space The Mills, a revamped former textiles mill in the 1950s, is Fabrica Space, a collaborative workspace for startups. Hailed as a “centre of innovation,” the space features a prototype lab and other tech-forward gadgets to cater to a community of sustainable startups, from agritech to the green fashion industry. They’ve demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting green projects and campaigns, such as their recent partnership with Asian sustainable fashion fund Fashion For Good and hosting a Fashion Summit on circularity in 2018.
Address: Fabrica Space, 4/F, The Mills, 45 Pak Tin Par Street, Tsuen Wan.
5. Kafnu
Kafnu is a lifestyle, community and coworking space located within Kerry Hotel. The entire design of the space, from its meeting rooms, individual work stations, desks and communal spaces, has biophilic and feng shui principles at its core to promote greater emotional well-being amongst users. Kafnu alhopes to encourage a better work-life balance culture through their eco-friendly and wellness meet-ups and workshops.
Address: Kafnu, 2/F, Kerry Hotel, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hong Kong.
6. CampFire Kennedy Town
CampFire has multiple locations across Hong Kong, but their Kennedy Town location is worth highlighting for their wellness and green focus. In addition to Breakout Areas, where communal discussions are encouraged, users can destress by using the in-house swings in the playground area beside the workspace rooms. Plus, the “play” area offers family entertainment and wellness facilities, so users are not just confined to a work-only mindset.
Address: CampFire Kennedy Town, 4/F, Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield, Kennedy Town.
7. The Hive Kennedy Town
Another popular player with multiple locations across Hong Kong and regionally, The Hive’s Kennedy Town location is worth a shoutout for some of its wellness and green qualities. Not only do they host a number of eco-friendly and healthy events in partnership with local organisations, such as their D-I-Y composting workshop with Hong Kong Community Composting, they are committed to the wellbeing of their members- we love their range of mindfulness activities, such as Breathwork and yoga classes, in their specially designed Sound Sauna.
Address: The Hive Kennedy Town, 6/F, Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield, Kennedy Town.
8. WeWork
Finally, perhaps the most well-known coworking space on the list is WeWork. Prior to their IPO scandal, the coworking giant launched multiple initiatives in the name of sustainability, such as their meat ban on chicken, pork and beef, and their “zero plastic” pledge against all single-use disposables. While a Green Queen investigation uncovered that WeWork Singapore had backtracked on some of these promises, it’s still worth including it-questionable food aside, the startup has overall pledged to be as environmentally-friendly as possible and sustainability is part fo their global strategy.
Address: WeWork, multiple locations.
Lead image courtesy of Home Center.
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