The ‘co’ experience in New York City: from the alternative art space to the coworking revolution

In a context in which 68% of the global population is expected to be living in urban areas by 2050, and the virtual component is increasingly prevalent in social and work life, the project of ‘common space’ becomes a key aspect of contemporary cities. Interest in coexistence has emerged with renewed strength. This paper explores how the ‘co’ has hit the creative space of paradigmatic New York in its contemporary history. The analysis connects the shared experience of alternative artists’ co-ops in the second half of the twentieth century with the rebirth of this concept in the twenty-first century, now taking the form of coworking spaces for the creative sector. How has this spirit been codified in the system of the production of space? This paper studies early projects of co-creation and recent coworking projects. The rapid global growth of the latter, grounded in the notion of community, enabled innovative methods, technologies, and design parameters, and provided fertile ground for study. What are the design parameters of today's ‘co’ experience? Ultimately, the research showcases the project of communal space as key to the future of the current city given its potential impact on community-building when applied in urban contexts.