Interact & be inspired at Jozi's hippest new co-working space

Although co-working spaces are a global trend, it’s only just catching on in South Africa. So says Lizette Watts, co-owner of Nomads & Co, Joburg’s newest co-working space in Parktown North. “While the global workforce is changing and people are able to work remotely – whether for themselves or for a company – their homes and even coffee shops or restaurants aren’t typically conducive to productivity,” she says.

As a solution to this, Nomads & Co. is a space that’s dedicated to working, but also allows people to interact and collaborate with like-minded individuals.

Previously occupied by a firm of quantity surveyors, the premises were refreshed and reinvented by Lizette and her partner, Donna Peter, into a look they call “Copenhangen cool” , with its minimalist mix of white, light grey and jewel tones along with blond wood furniture, bright green plants and funky light fittings. Designed in collaboration with interior designer and stylist Mia Widlake, the result is a working environment that couldn’t be any less corporate. “We wanted to create something light and crisp that wouldn’t distract, but could inspire at the same time,” says Lizette.

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As important was the look and feel for the floor plan. “We needed a space where different personality types could work in different types of environments that suit them,” she says. To achieve this, Nomads & Co. has a “quiet area” with a traditional work set-up, as well as a more informal cafe-style area that’s a little more social and better for groups or individuals looking to collaborate.

There’s also a boardroom, a smaller meeting room and a lounge, kitchen and dining area in which to relax. With fast fibre wifi and a limitless free supply of pour-over coffee, there’s not much more you could ask for during your working day.

Visitors can pay either a day rate for sporadic use or a monthly memberhip fee if they’re looking for a more permanent weekday office. So far, Lizette says that Nomads & Co. has attracted a wide variety of freelancers, consultants, entrepreneurs and start-ups, in addition to corporate workers looking to escape the office. “Everyone, from bloggers and fashion designers to photographers and software developers, is using our space in a way that suits them,” she says.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8-5pm. The venue can also be booked on weeknights or weekends for workshops and networking events. Call 071-090-6244.