Organisations from five European countries have joined forces on a three year journey to share existing know-how and explore new practices related to coworking ecosystems. However, as with every journey, the project began with a period of reflection and preparation, an opportunity to learn new work languages, structures and methods: “Where have we come from?”, “Where are we going?”, “What should be taken forward?”. In addition there were specific questions and discussions on the meanings behind our coworking ecosystems themes, namely multidisciplinary coworking, local partnerships, ecological transition, participatory governance and social entrepreneurship. This report provides the history of our preparation for constructing a coworking toolbox. It focuses on the wealth of local background material unearthed by the partners and, by identifying the most relevant points, helps explain how the map to guide our journey began to take shape. The information you are about to discover will help explain why we believe that coworking and the creation of multidisciplinary creative clusters (also known as ecosystems or the Third Place) provide an innovative approach for European entrepreneurs and professionals to work collaboratively through improved communication and networking, in order to create new economic opportunities and benefit society.

1. The Origin of Spaces Project is co-funded
with support from the EU’s Erasmus+
LifeLong Learning Fund.

3. This project has been funded with support
from the European Commission.
This publication [communication] reflects the views
only of the author, and the Commission cannot be
held responsible for any use which may be
made of the information contained therein.
TheOriginofSpaces
INNOVATIVEPRACTICESFOR
SUSTAINABLEMULTIDISCIPLINARYCLUSTERS
PHASE1-RESEARCHOUTCOMES

4. Origin of Spaces - research
innovative practices for sustainable
multidisciplinary clusters

5. 1.0 Introduction
Organisations from five European countries have joined forces on a three year journey
to share existing know-how and explore new practices related to coworking ecosystems.
However, as with every journey, the project began with a period of reflection and
preparation, an opportunity to learn new work languages, structures and methods:
“Where have we come from?”, “Where are we going?”, “What should be taken forward?”
In addition there were specific questions and discussions on the meanings behind our
coworking ecosystems themes, namely multidisciplinary coworking, local partnerships,
ecological transition, participatory governance and social entrepreneurship.
This report provides the history of our preparation for constructing a coworking toolbox.
It focuses on the wealth of local background material unearthed by the partners and,
by identifying the most relevant points, helps explain how the map to guide our journey
began to take shape.
The information you are about to discover will help explain why we believe that coworking
and the creation of multidisciplinary creative clusters (also known as ecosystems
or the Third Place) provide an innovative approach for European entrepreneurs and
professionals to work collaboratively through improved communication and networking, in
order to create new economic opportunities and benefit society.
Paul Chapmen, London Borough of Lewisham
Inspired by the Origin of the Spaces WordCloud – Paul Chapman 30/07/15
TheOriginofSpaces
EUproject

7. 2 PROJECT OUTLINE
Extract from the original project proposal
Urbanisation is a continuous process for almost all European cities. The production
process is frustrated with three major factors that have to be integrated: adapting to
an accelerated demography, limiting the environmental impact and dealing with the
depletion of resources. A critical match making of immediate investment possibilities
in existing physical and socio-economical structures is an adaptive and complementary
approach.
Since the current socio-economic crisis might be more than a temporary situation,
innovative, positive action must be taken now to address this and create new solutions.
Most european cities are impacted by the continuous processes of urbanisation and the
impacts that this involves, both positive and negative. Running a business within this
environment brings its own additional concerns. We need to act responsibly to:
1) Create positive working and living conditions for those who help improve society and
the local and wider community (adapting to a continually changing demographic client
base)
2) Look at innovating and developing new methods and approaches to using recycled
materials, techniques and the skills of people that have a high environmental sensibility
(Limiting the environmental impact of running a business)
3) To create the best places imaginable with the lowest impacts on the environment
and manageable cost to do it (Learning to cope with the depletion of resources in a
competitive marketplace)
We must utilise the opportunities available now, to re-use existing buildings and re-
imagine them to accommodate promising start-ups who will contribute to the inevitable
societal change at hand, whilst working closely with short and long term urban planning
schemes. It is therefore critical that any interventions in this area, particularly in the
provision of physical business space, is able to be both adaptive and complimentary. In
our developed society there are a methods, sensibilities and habits than need support
to be changed, to re-establish a more balanced and measured way of life. Ultimately the

8. inevitable ecological transition that is taking place is perhaps the only hard argument to
kick start change.
We believe that sustainable multidisciplinary clusters and their orientation towards
ecological transition, are one important approach for a responsible answer to the present
needs of our society. In our experience, sustainable multidisciplinary clusters are, and
could be innovation labs, incubators of new ways of working, living and acting for the co-
creation of sustainable communities. They are cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary in
nature, enriching in their very attitudes around working together, innovation and problem
solving. They are safe spaces for the testing out of ideas and methods but within a
supportive framework and environment. They are a fertile ground for the nurturing of
innovation in society, as they are in themselves models of social innovation. Therefore,
the main aim of this project is to work in partnership for the exchange of knowledge
and skills, development and implementation of innovative practices in the field of
development, creation and management of sustainable multidisciplinary clusters.
General objective:
- fostering active citizenship & social entrepreneurship in terms of sustainable
development
- exchange of best practices that improve employability, inclusion, creativity and learning
through a participative approach
- to recognise possibilities and meet the challenges of co-creation, co-management,
co-working, co-operation, co-living, co-intelligence and community gardens in urban
sustainable and multidisciplinary clusters
Specific objectives:
During the project period different creative methods and approaches, including new
research and an on line Tool Box, will be made to present innovative models in the
following 4 project scopes:
1. Ecological know-how
2. Participatory governance
3. Multidisciplinary co-working
4. Local partnership management
5. Social entrepreneurship skills
Following our five key areas, our objectives are to improve and meet the needs for
social and economical sustainability in management and development of activities in
sustainable multidisciplinary clusters:
a) Able to be for profit: economic sustainability
b) Able to be for benefit: for society and for the environment
c) Able to accept wide intergenerational scope of users
d) Able to improve employability and creation of new jobs that respond to the needs of
society
e) Able to provide opportunities for different ways of life long learning
We want to improve and share our knowledge and skills for the benefit of our local and
wider communities, so that we can learn, adapt and grow together, ultimately sharing
solutions for our current ecological, economical and social challenges. Concrete results of
this project are our intellectual outputs and the development of the The Origin of Spaces
Toolbox as an outward facing learning platform to share our knowledge, methods, ideas
and skills with others.

9. 3. THEME INTRODUCTIONS
Extract from the Resource Book (October 2015)
The following paragraphs are the introduction texts to each theme written by each team
in the project.. In the initial research Resource Book each introduction is followed by the
contents of each team’s production, roughly subdivided in five basic components : 1.
Definitions, 2. Stories, 3. Cases, 4. People, 5. Places.
FOR DETAILED CONTENTS, VISIT : bit.do/oosEU-RB

11. LXFACTORY-LISBON-PORTUGAL
3.1. Multidisciplinary Coworking
LxFactory, a “factory of ideas and creativity”, is a private endeavour located in Alcantara
Lisboa, owned by MainSide, a foresighted property developer specialised in (re)use and
revitalisation. Transformed from a factory into a new space, where heritage lives alongside
tech and creative start-ups, LxFactory has 25000 square metres, holds 200 companies,
employing 1000 people and 100 coworkers, in multiple sectors ranging from culture,
design, fashion and advertising to trade, technology and commerce, etc.
However LxFactory is more than just joined up organisations and individual independent
workers sharing space and collaborating, it is a community of projects, ideas, coworkers
and visitors, within that space.
Accordingly, LxFactory’s strategy is deliberately flexible. Dedicated project analysis
enabling autonomy and self-organisation, allowing each project to adapt and manage the
space to suit its specific concepts, are key elements. This provides a unique environment
accommodating a wide range of needs and attracting many promising and talented
projects, Ler Devagar, CoworkLisboa, Cantina, Wool, etc., which have become icons of a
strong local grass-roots culture.
Events such as the OPEN DAYS (Sunday’s LxMarket street market for handicraft, second
hand and vintage), conferences such as OFFF, IGNITE, and numerous seminars, fashion
exhibitions, music concerts and book launches etc., attract visitors and future projects
whilst promoting networking and collaboration, and the international name of LxFactory.

12. Filipa Baptista
Research manager and coordinator for OOS, project
coordinator at Mainside Investments SGPS Real Estate,
professionally active as an architect for 12 years in Portugal
and in the Netherlands, then served lunch to her current
employer in an Indian restaurant, who was impressed with
her skills and hired her. She has been working there for
almost 10 years now.
Manuel Laranja
Research researcher for OOS, Senior Associated Professor
of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policies at the Lisboa
School of Economics, has a PhD on Technology and
Innovation Policy, an MBA, and a degree in engineering,
worked for the Secretary of State of Economic Affairs and
the Prime Ministers’ Office on Technology and Innovation,
was a consultant for the EU, currently co-chair of the
University of Lisboa “Network for Entrepreneurship and
Knowledge Transfer”, and much much more.
Carlos Alcobia
Research researcher for OOS, currently a Doctoral
candidate in Design at the Universidade de Lisboa and
a junior researcher at the Artistic Studies Research
Center (CIEBA), focused on the contributions of design
capabilities as strategic resources for organizations, has an
MA in Curatorial Studies and a BA in Economics, founder
of a rural makerspace ‘Buinho’, passionate about design of
co-creative environments.

15. ZAWP-BILBAO-SPAIN
3.2. Local Partnerships
ZAWP is a compelling story about the impact of planning in the public and private
management of the urban wilderness of Bilbao. It is a train driver’s dream that has
brought together a core of nine people interested in change and local impact, by
regenerating former industrial spaces and thus creating opportunities for cultural life.
Different synergies in Zorrotzaurre and La Ribera de Deusto have framed the current
local partnerships and the public management of industrial heritage.
As the urban plan advanced, ZAWP mutated locally, turning ZAWP into an atemporal
form; from situated action to a modus operandi. This both changed and enabled a team
of people and formulas to take action, whilst forging an urban transformation process.
Art, music and business came together to revitalise an area that had long been forgotten
yet which seems to be a treasure island for the future of Bilbao; the place to be active
and creative within the city’s landscape.
Economical sustainability and livelihoods are the challenge. Challenging local partnerships,
collaborations beyond international boundaries, learning from activities which both succeed
and fail. Private, public and isolated entrepreneur management are taken into account in
order to regenerate the neighbourhood. Share your practice with us!

16. Ruth Mayoral López.
Project coordination. Spent much time on production and
cultural management. Now she is more focused on the
study of citizens movements and urban transformation
through creation. Zawp’s manager in Bilbao. Love
to learn from others. Peripheral vision, detailed and
critical, analytical and synthetical skills, curious to learn,
maintaining objectives, self-criticism, empathy, flexibility in
action, humor.
Ane San Miguel Crespo
Toolbox manager and research researcher. Passionate
about challenging mindsets and souls with a humanized
approach to enrich the working athmospheres. Hosting
milestone based in her attitude, fresh and natural. No
pattern to filter. Creativity and expression are her tools
and spread energy all over the working space a collateral
matter. Knowledge management.
Ziortza Etxabe Ugarte
Research manager and toolbox researcher. Consultant,
Team Coach, catalyst and trainer in entrepreneurship,
creativity, leadership and innovation. But above all this,
I consider myself an explorer of creative ideas. I am a
social entrepreneur that take into account a positive
return to society; I attempt to further broad social, cultural,
and environmental goals and often associated with the
voluntary sector.

19. DARWINECOSYSTEME-BORDEAUX-FRANCE
3.3. Ecological Transition
Darwin-Ecosystem in Bordeaux France, created in 2012, has the objective to practice a
new way of working. The tenants’ association “Les Darwiniens”, as initiator, coordinator
and partner of ‘The Origin of Spaces’, envisions sharing its collection of experiences on
ecological transition, and its potential for creating a cohesive and resilient ecosystem.
Among the various shared values in Darwin’s work, culture and leisure community, the
objective of ecological transition is the most emblematic, and one that has attracted
many committed members. However not every hub project has the same scale or
means. Displaying ecological transition values is one thing, but implementing them is
quite another. Can sharing a printer, separating waste, certified eco-renovation, even the
online monitoring of resource consumption, as alternative eco-practices, be implemented
at scale?
Following 12 months of internal and external consultation, sessions with 12 pivotal
initiators, and 30 representatives of eco-business and other sectors commenting on
the project themes, Darwin’s ecological transition grew from a popular message to a
measured mind-and-action-set.
When asking ourselves how to create a Third Place that could change environmental
habits on a daily basis, and wondering how to enrol peers to engage in new responsible
ways of managing hybrid sites, the experiences of Darwin-Ecosystem provide valuable
practical insights.

20. Mehdi Hazgui
International research coordinator for OOS, owner and
manager of ‘Conseils & Etudes Sociologiques’ in Bègles,
member of the tenants association ‘Les Darwiniens’,
active group animator, conference moderator, sociologist,
researcher and expert on citizenship and community
sustainability, and a generous laugh ...
Christiaan Weiler
International and national research coordinator for OOS,
founding architect of ‘cab42 architecture, strategy and
design’ in Bordeaux, member of the tenants association
‘Les Darwiniens’, orients his design research and proposals
towards technical and programmatic innovation to improve
user engagement in the built environment, ... plays
harmonica in an acoustic rock trio, wishes he could spend
more time windsurfing but is happy to spend it with his
family ...

21. Sylvain Barfety
International financial coordinator for OOS, director of
economic development for ‘Evolution Ltd’ in Bordeaux,
member of the tenants association ‘Les Darwiniens’,
focusses his professional life on designing economic
models of companies to make them more resilient and
more responsible towards society and nature, involved in
urban re-creation as a member of several non for profit
organisations... spends much of his personal time with his
family and his kite-surf gear.
Jean-Pierre Brossard
International planning coordinator for OOS, owner and
manager of ‘Jean Pierre Brossard Consultant’ in Bordeaux,
member of the tenants association ‘Les Darwiniens’,
experienced consultant in EU funded collaboration
projects for cultural and social action, ... has seen so much
of the european landscape he’s become a bit of an expert
on ecosystems...
Camille Sciare
International administrative coordinator for OOS, intern
from the IFAID school in Bordeaux, member of the
tenants association ‘Les Darwiniens’, has a background in
Literature and project coordination, focusses on european
partnerships and management of community life,
interested in how to improve cooperation‚ does sport as
soon as possible and would like to go around the world.

23. ROJC-PULA-CROATIA
3.4. Participatory Governance
Imagine a huge military building of 16,739 square meters with endless, gloomy hallways
where, historically, militants, officers and war refugees lived and worked. The building
was named after Second World War hero Karlo Rojc but abandoned in the late 1990’s.
Due to the simple fact that no one switched off the electricity and water supply, different
artists, activists and associations began to occupy the building, thereby inhaling and
inspiring new creative energies.
Today, the Community Centre Rojc is a particular “place of civil society,” an alternative
urban culture centre situated in a small town called Pula, Croatia, in the north of the
Mediterranean southern Europe. Rojc hosts 111 associations with very different activities:
culture and art, sport and recreation, children and youth, ethnic minorities, psycho-social
work, etc.
Together with the City of Pula, which is the legal owner of the building, mentioned
associations are managing the Center on the basis of the public-citizen participation
model in order to develop more productive forms of co-existence, co-management
and co-production. Associations networking, intensive communication and innovative
approach in joint decision-making encourages them to create dynamic, hybrid
organisational and management model that will be even more effective and professional.
Values of this participatory governance model are strengthening participative democracy,
good governance and trust building.

24. Irena Burba
Research manager for OOS project from Rojc Alliance
in Pula, Croatia. Working for the non-governmental
organisation “Green Istria” in the field of environmental
protection, encouraging public participation in decision
making processes, and raising public awareness on
environmental democracy. Plays an active role in Rojc
Alliance. Irena likes camping, reading and juggling.
Ana Žužić
Research and Toolbox researcher for OOS, Rojc Alliance
external expert. Has 10 years of professional experience
working in the non-governmental sector, primarily in
the field of civil society development and youth issues.
Currently is working as an independent consultant
supporting different organizations in writing, implementing
and evaluating EU funded projects. Likes to swim and run
in her free time.

27. CAPTURE&LEWISHAM-LONDON-UNITEDKINGDOM
3.5. Social Entrepreneurship
Being a social entrepreneur is hard to define as there is no precise global definition,
although there is a lot of history in the UK, where the School for Social Entrepreneurs
(SSE) was founded by Michael Young in 1997.
The term was first used in the literature of social change during the 1960’s and 1970’s.
It means taking entrepreneurial methods including risk taking, learning from mistakes,
self-confidence, determination, the ability to adapt and above all a passion for solving
problems, then using them to solve social problems. These key traits are used to create
businesses that measure performance not in terms of profit and return, but in creating
businesses that measure their success by their positive impact on society.
Much social entrepreneurship developed in response to Strategic Regeneration. In
Deptford London, post-1992, there was a local response built around cultural and
ecological activists in Deptford Creekside where many abandoned industrial sites and
offices were taken over by artists, and even the SSE. One such cultural response was
Capture Arts who act as cultural brokers and have acted in pop-up spaces allowing
social and cultural entrepreneurs to operate. Despite much intermittent local practice, no
strategic approach to developing spaces for social entrepreneurs has emerged.

28. Deborah Astell
Research manager for OOS. Creative Thinking Trainer
and European Project Manager. Director and Project
Development Manager at Capture, an innovative not for
profit social enterprise based in Lewisham, London that
has been working in participatory practice, arts and culture,
creative thinking and innovation, organisational change
management and the development of participant-led co
created projects since 1997.
Fred Garnett
Research researcher for OOS, Founder member of
Learner-Generated Contexts Research Group at the
London Knowledge Lab, where he is a Visiting Research
Associate. He has worked on social and digital inclusion
projects using Digital Media since 1997 when he was part
of the LB Lewisham Citizen Connects team.
Hatty Uwanogho
Research researcher for OOS. Project manager for Capture
Projects, a vibrant social enterprise based in Lewisham
as well as being a freelance web designer and social
network facilitator and manager. Extensive knowledge of
digital platforms and new media and specialises in using
social media networks for marketing and community
engagement.

29. Paul Chapman
Project manager for OOS, European projects manager for
the London Borough of Lewisham. Paul has over 13 years
experience of managing and participating in a wide variety
of European funded projects and networks with the aim of
improving Lewisham Borough. Paul sings in a covers band,
enjoys watching sport and supports the mighty Tottenham
Hotspur.
Paul Hadfield
Research manager for OOS. Enterprise Development
Manager for the London Borough of Lewisham since
2001, over 25 years experience in urban regeneration in
local government, NGOs and the private sector contexts,
leading on the development of three new coworking
centres opening in Lewisham in 2016, interested in
language and multiculturalism. Interested in jazz, tennis,
cycling and rights of immigrants and refugees.

30. The Origin of Spaces Project is co-funded with support from the EU’s Erasmus+ LifeLong Learning Fund.
Project Number : 2014-1-FR01-KA204-008725