"Hot desks" at cool open workspace

RONNIE SHORT

An opportunity for peace and quiet and a space to work away from home is now available in Tākaka. Open Cube offers exactly that – plus good internet – at the recently revamped office block at 4 Buxton Lane.

Annelle Reilly created Open Cube out of her own need for a quiet workspace, away from the distractions of home and family.

“I just wanted a little structure to my day… it’s difficult to focus on work when the kids are home from school, and there’s very little separation from home and workplace. It’s also quite isolating to work from home all the time. I never hung out in town, went for a coffee, so just being in town means you’re seeing more people, sharing an office with colleagues,” explained Annelle.

She has carefully designed an inviting workspace with a feeling of space and calmness. Colourful acoustic panels separate the desks, providing privacy as well as sound absorption. Fluorescent retro lights flaunt a wall beneath high windows, and an extensive topographical map of Golden Bay graces another.

According to Annelle, such open plan co-working offices are everywhere now. The concept is also referred to as “hot desking” – where a user doesn’t have a permanent desk but books a space or takes a chance by turning up to see if a desk might be available.

“It is quite a common concept. There’s quite a community of co-workers around, and when I started speaking to people it just became clear that there’s a need for it in Tākaka,” said Annelle.

Open Cube has four cubes available in addition to the one Annelle uses. She already has clients hiring a desk regularly, plus occasional users or travellers needing stable internet and a professional working environment.

“The difference with this co-working space and others, is that I’m not here every day of the week. So if there’s no one here, the door’s locked… so people need to pre-book.”

To book an Open Cube space, use their online booking system, which allows for a self-service business model. Upon securing a booking, you will be able to locate a key from a lockbox to gain access.

Costs are a reasonable $20 for half a day, $30 all day, with a special rate of $25 per day for regular users.

Contact Annelle ph 021 0289 4323, email annelle@opencube.co.nz, or visit Facebook: Open Cube.