7 minute read
Uncommon
CHAPTER THREE
FORWARD THINKERS
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definition Forward thinkers are creative minds full of optimism and positive outlook for the future. With their ability to see the bigger picture and never being stuck in the past, they are the pioneers and early adopters of new ideas and processes. Take the following stories as case studies of the future.
UNCOMMON
Workspaces designed to energise and inspire
interview by Nicola McCullough, images provided by Uncommon
Tania Adir spent the best part of a decade researching wellness in the workplace, to create a more productive, happier working environment. Her journey led to the creation of Uncommon, beautiful co-working spaces designed to inspire and energise, surrounded by creativity and character - from bespoke scents and abundant plants to quiet meditation areas. We caught up with Tania, Co-Founder and CEO, to delve into the story of her success - and why she believes work doesn't have to feel like work.
It's not just about aesthetics and ergonomics, but it's also about every single detail; from the bespoke scents to carefully curated music playlists.
Tell us your backstory and how it led you to create Uncommon.
I originally trained as a lawyer, working for Allen & Overy, before moving into property development with my husband, Gal. We started off doing up and selling flats, then houses and blocks of flats. The foray into workspaces happened by accident when the Council refused us planning permission to convert a warehouse to residential. Forced to rethink plans, we decided to turn it into a modern workspace instead, setting up a company to do so, which later became Uncommon. In six months, it was complete and three months later, 90% occupied. This success encouraged us to expand the Uncommon platform - and after securing funding in 2017, we’ve gone on to complete further three spaces in Borough, Fulham and Liverpool Street, with our Holborn site set to open in 2021.
Do you have a company mission, written or unwritten?
Our mission is for our members to feel good about where - and how - they work. To provide a place that isn’t just physically comfortable to be in, but also emotionally supports them, boosting efficiency and reducing stress. Every detail of the Uncommon environment is designed to inspire and energise, and you’re surrounded by creativity and character. Our staff will make sure members have everything they need, help them focus, and calmly support them every day.
In what ways are you using the skills from the journey that brought you to this point?
A background in law certainly helps me move through the corporate world, negotiating new sites and partnerships. However, my passion lies in the design and wellbeing side and I spend a significant amount of my time researching new trends and wellbeing in the workplace, which has informed every aspect of our Uncommon spaces.
What was the biggest challenge in setting up the business?
For our first space in Islington, people doubted that we would be able to attract businesses and workers to the borough, but we very quickly proved this wrong. Since then, we have encountered planning and fundraising challenges, but these are the same for a lot of businesses.
And your greatest highlight since its launch?
This would have to be opening Uncommon Liverpool Street, our largest space to date. It’s considerably bigger than the first two spaces and also has the Well Studio. It’s been really well received in its first year and we’ve had fantastic feedback from our members.
You obviously chose the name Uncommon for a reason. Tell us what makes it different?
I think the fact that we have carefully researched so many aspects of wellbeing design in the workplace makes Uncommon different. It’s not just about aesthetics and ergonomics, but every single detail, including a lot you’d never realise - from the bespoke scents to carefully curated music playlists, the ceiling heights, abundant plants, and quiet areas where you can practice mindfulness or meditate. We also run lots of events for our members, from yoga to creative workshops.
Tell us why wellness in the workspace is so important to you.
It’s quite simple really; providing a physically and emotionally supportive space boosts efficiency and reduces stress. This benefits businesses and the individual. Work doesn’t have to feel like work.
With a growing market and more competitors entering this service based model, how do you ensure that you keep your market share - and grow at the same time?
Firstly, I believe that competition is very much a good thing. It pushes us to differentiate, and this stimulates innovation. We run an owner-operator model, which may be less nimble than the leasing model in regards to expanding into new markets, but it provides us with greater overall control and a more attractive proposition to both investors, looking for assurances and security, and our tenants, as we can set our own rates. Although more capital intensive, it provides greater security and better growth potential due to the control of assets and offering resilient, sustainable long-term strategy.
What kind of businesses do Uncommon cater for?
Honestly, there isn’t a type. We have a huge variety of different businesses under our roofs, from start-ups to established enterprises and, of course, the freelancers, who use the open cafe spaces and hot desks.
How do you work with businesses and what services do you offer?
We can offer flexible packages to suit any business. This ranges from the freelancer who wants to spend a single day or a weekend in one of our spaces, using a laptop in our cafe area, up to a large business who wants to take a private permanent office. We have hot desks or permanent desks which suit individuals or small start-ups. We also have a range of meeting rooms available for our members. Our onsite teams offer professional service and support, with a wide range of facilities from auditorium and events space to phone booths and 24/7 secure access – so we take all the hassle away.
Any advice for new tenants or founders who rent an office or space with Uncommon?
Make sure you take advantage of all we have to offer! We work closely with our members to ensure they’re happy and have all they need for a productive and healthy working environment. If you have any feedback or suggestions, our team is always happy to listen and implement.
What are your plans for the future of Uncommon?
In 2021, we’re opening our biggest space to date, in Holborn. It’ll provide flexible workspace for over 2000 people, with a members bar, rooftop terrace, Well Studio and other top-class facilities. We’ve already been approached by large businesses with more than 500 members, looking to create their HQ with us. We will continue to build on this momentum, with plans to grow to1 million sq ft of owned real estate in central London, whilst in the next three years we will expand into key gateway cities across Europe.
5 Top tips for a positive work environment
1. Agile Working: Support solo and collaborative work, with private and quiet places for concentration and shared spaces for idea sharing and teamwork.
2. Nutrition: Dehydration and hunger impact directly on cognitive and physical performance. Easy access to filtered water and healthy snacks will aid wellbeing.
3. Biophilia: Plants filter the air and have also been proven to reduce blood pressure and reduce stress.
4. Scent: Scientists have researched how the smell of a place influences how we think and behave. Scent can be effectively used in the workplace to aid concentration.
5. Lighting: There’s a basic human preference for natural lighting over artificial, and a link with productivity. Windows and views allow people to refocus and relax, reducing fatigue and stress.
Brand website: uncommon.co.uk
IG @uncommon_space
