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Inspiration Ignites in Coworking Spaces

Name: Inspiration Ignites in Coworking Spaces
Uploaded: 2024-04-26T01:08:37Z
Duration: 20 min 32 s
Description: The work-from-anywhere culture means that co-working spaces are increasingly needed by the younger generation in Padang City.

The work-from-anywhere culture means that co-working spaces are increasingly needed by the younger generation in Padang City.

This article has been translated using AI. See Original .

YOLA SASTRA

· 6 minutes read

Co-working space has become a place for young people in the City of Padang to “ignite” inspiration so that their days remain productive. These spaces also grow through both city government and the private sector.

Muhammad Fikri appears focused on a small table on one side of the room. The bespectacled man's hands are busy with a pen and a bundle of papers. Occasionally, he checks his gadget to access information.

"I'm working on my final college assignment and some other work," said the Andalas University student at the Bagindo Aziz Chan (BAC) Youth Center co-working space, Padang, West Sumatra, Thursday (25/4/2024) afternoon.

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Fikri was one of the hundreds of visitors at the BAC Youth Center that afternoon. Most of the visitors were young people who were busy with their respective tasks and jobs. Some were sitting in chairs and desks in the second-floor hall, while others were lounging in the wings of the second floor.

Although there are many visitors, the atmosphere in the shared workspace is relatively calm and cool. Most importantly, Wi-Fi and electrical outlets are also available. The majority of visitors are content to stay there for a long time since morning. "I have been here three times this week," said Fikri.

Shared work spaces have been a necessity for Fikri in recent years. In addition to the BAC Youth Center, he often goes to shared work spaces in other places, including cafes. Working in boarding houses or campuses can sometimes have too many distractions.

His activities in the shared workspace are not only limited to working on college assignments, but also related to side jobs he pursues. Comfortable places like this can ignite inspiration.

“A job that requires more thinking requires a calm atmosphere like this. Seeing other visitors focused on their work also encouraged me to focus. "When you're in a boarding house, your mood is often disturbed by the bed, he-he-he," he said.

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Ihsanul Fajri (30) also works in a shared workspace. On Wednesday (24/4/2024) afternoon, he was working on tasks from his office in the shared workspace provided by Cafe Merjer in Padang Barat District.

Co-working space is a necessity nowadays. Working doesn't have to be from the office.

Visitors carry out activities in the co-working space provided by Cafe Merjer in Padang City, West Sumatra, Wednesday (24/4/2024).

Accompanied by a cup of coffee and some food, Ihsan focuses on his laptop. This small room with a capacity of 25 people is quiet and cool. Other visitors who make use of the space are also concentrated on their respective work.

"I often go to places that have workingspace to change the atmosphere so I don't get bored. Moreover, what I am dealing with is a lot of data. "We need a new atmosphere to refresh," said the man who works in the information technology section of a company in Jakarta.

Afra Laila (20), another visitor, expressed a similar thing. The medical student from Andalas University visits the co-working space three times a week, including at Cafe Merjer.

"Usually for studying or doing assignments. "The atmosphere is calm and comfortable, lessons are easier to learn," he said.

Increasingly growing

Shared workspaces are becoming increasingly popular among young people in Padang. This is in line with the shift in work and learning culture, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. Working and studying no longer have to be from an office or campus, but can be done from anywhere.

The shift in culture is being recognized by local governments and private entities. Co-working spaces are also growing, such as those provided by BAC Youth Center, Cafe Merjer, and other places in this city.

For example, the BAC Youth Center managed by the Padang City Tourism Office was inaugurated on September 16, 2022. Previously, this building was an old office for the education department. Since its opening, the building has been operating every day from 08.00-20.00 WIB and has been able to attract many visitors, around 300 people per day.

"The BAC Youth Center exists as a place for the younger generation to channel their interests and talents," said the Head of the Creative Economy Division of the Padang City Tourism Department, Wirdanis.

The woman who is often called Wira explained that the BAC Youth Center also provides other facilities to support creative work, such as a podcast studio, photo studio, music studio, dance practice room, meeting room, mini theaters, and galleries.

Those spaces can be accessed for free by communities that belong to the 17 sub-sectors of the creative economy. "In the future, young people can revive the creative economy in Padang city," said Wira.

Meanwhile, Cafe Merjer has been providing a dedicated workspace since 2021, or after the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, the trend of working from cafes was rapidly growing in Jakarta, so the owner decided to bring it to Padang.

”Co-working space is a necessity nowadays. "You don't have to work from the office," said Teguh Pradana (27), Operations Manager of Cafe Merjer. Apart from the shared work space, this cafe also provides a meeting room with a maximum capacity of eight people.

In addition to providing a comfortable space for visitors to work from cafes, according to Teguh, the existence of shared workspace is also beneficial in terms of business. This cafe, which has been operating since 2018, has become more productive.

Before the co-working space was available, according to Teguh, visitors to the café, which operates from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., usually only started coming in the afternoon and evening. However, since the space was provided, visitors have started coming in the morning.

Needs to be increased

Public Policy Lecturer Padang State University, Zikri Alhadi, believes that the industrial revolution 4.0 and 5.0 means that work and study culture no longer has to be in formal places, such as offices and campuses. You can work and study from anywhere.

"There is a cultural shift. Physical presence and time constraints are no longer the key measure of performance. Now, performance is measured by productivity and how well work targets are achieved," said the lecturer who also often uses coworking spaces in cafes.

The shift in culture has made shared workspaces increasingly necessary. Comfortable places that can be connected to the internet and allow for gathering with colleagues and work partners have become essential points for being able to work from anywhere and anytime.

There is a cultural shift happening. Physical presence and time constraints are no longer the key measures of performance. Nowadays, performance is measured by productivity and how well work targets are achieved.

In developed countries, co-working spaces have already become widespread. The same goes for big cities in Indonesia, such as Jakarta and Bandung. As for Padang, these spaces are beginning to grow, both in government buildings, campuses, and cafes.

As the demand increases, according to Zikri, shared workspaces must be increased. Unproductive buildings can be utilized. Efforts towards this goal have started to be seen.

Editor:

CHRISTOPERUS WAHYU HARYO PRIYO

Inspiration Ignites in Coworking Spaces

About AI Translated Article

Increasingly growing

Needs to be increased