Commonplace: Narrabudah's new co-working space that's office goals

Who: Studio & You and Melina Design Group.

What: Commonplace, a co-working space that’s as beautiful as it is functional.

Where: Perched atop XO restaurant at the leafy Narrabundah shops.

If the cluttered corner of your kitchen bench or dining table that you’ve claimed as your “working from home” space isn’t cutting it, you’re certainly not alone.

Co-working spaces are becoming more of a necessity than a luxury, providing some much-needed respite to professionals from the four walls of our homes.

Commonplace is the latest co-working space to open its doors in Canberra, and the result of a creative collaboration between architectural designer Melina Design Group and interior design company Studio & You.

“Essentially the only brief we worked from was ‘make it cool!’ and ultimately I think that the design freedom and understanding of these values is what makes this space unique and beautiful,” says Alanna Kochel, co-owner of Studio & You.

With its pink palette and striking combination of natural textures, Commonplace captivates right from the front door with a terrazzo-tiled staircase in an alluring shade of terracotta pink.

“The terrazzo tiles were supplied by Signorino Tile Gallery in Melbourne and sourced by Rivoland Tiles in Canberra. We felt that the entry, being the first point of contact with the space, had to feel special and immersive as it serves as the visual precursor to the rest of the space,” says Kochel.

A curved wall panelled in Tasmania oak profiled board sourced from Wellington Architectural is the perfect pairing for the tiles, providing a transition to the large open common area.

Suffused in natural light thanks to a series of skylights, the space has all the practical essentials – but it’s the unexpected features that capture your eye, like the pink velvet seating inside the arch-shaped booths.

Clever details like acoustic insulation and acoustic plasterboard combined with a textured finish on the inside of the booth walls create a sound-deadening effect that’s further enhanced by the upholstered seating and carpet.

“Overall, a combination of these elements help create a booth which is perfect for users to have a quick team meeting or phone call with a client without impeding on other users,” says Kochel.

Not only are the booths the perfect summation of Commonplace’s signature mix of form and function, but they also act as an introduction to the arch motif that echoes throughout the space in many of the custom-designed, high-quality finishes – from the handles of the kitchen cabinets to the mirrors in the luxurious bathroom.

Rather than overwhelming the senses, the tonal palette and natural textures have a surprisingly zen effect that lends itself to complete focus.

“We want our members to come to work and have everything they need to be as productive and successful as possible, while still enjoying the actual physical act of working and enabling a positive work-life balance,” says Commonplace manager Isabelle Thompson.

Membership options range from full-time desks to open desks and day-only desks, and it comes complete with high-speed internet, security, cleaning and printing facilities.

To inquire about a space at Commonplace, visit commonplacestudio.com.au