The Modern Coworking Cafe in Portugal

Avila Spaces executes a lifestyle office approach for their new coworking care in Lisbon, Portugal.

Located in Lisbon (Parque das Nações), the Cowork Café spans 1300 square meters over two floors. It is the first coworking space to integrate a barista service, created in partnership with Portuguese Coffee Brands, offering also 12 private offices (168 workstations), 128 coworking spaces, 15 phone booths, 9 meeting rooms, an Innovation Room designed for brainstorming and idea creation, and an auditorium with a capacity of 100 people. 

All spaces at Avila are unique but maintain a high standard of quality in design and technology: all meeting rooms are equipped with professional video conferencing systems from Logitech and Jabra (also members at Avila Spaces), available for free to all customers, whether in private offices or coworking spaces.

Come Inside a “Lifestyle Office”

This space adheres to the best international practices, introducing the concept of a “lifestyle office” in Portugal. Avila aims to go beyond the simple workplace: today, companies increasingly view the office as a place where they can provide their employees with an experience of work, leisure, and creativity. With the hybrid model, the office is increasingly a meeting point for co-workers to discuss ideas, brainstorm, or simply socialize and participate in community events, which encourage networking and personal relationships. 

This Cowork Café is accessible to all members of the other two locations at no additional cost, addressing the needs of companies adopting a hybrid model by providing employees with the opportunity to work from various locations in the city.

Avila Spaces operates three locations in Lisbon and was recognized as the “Best Coworking in the World” at the Global Startup Awards 2023. It is also the most awarded workspace in Portugal and a leader in innovation within the flexible workspace market in the country.

Project Planning

The Avila Spaces C-Level Team was involved in the project from the beginning, as well as the International Advisory Board. Several decisions were made based on satisfaction surveys presented to Avila Spaces employees and members. The interior architecture project took into account several visits to coworking spaces, including those in the UK and the Netherlands, as well as benchmarking good practices in hotels and cafes both in Portugal and abroad.

Project Details

Wellness Benefits

Avila Spaces organizes various activities to promote the health and well-being of its employees and members, such as weekly meditation sessions, running sessions, and golf and paddle tennis tournaments. There is a partnership with a gym in the neighborhood offering preferential conditions for employees and members.

The furniture is ergonomic: there are standing desks, bike desks, a kitchen to prepare healthy food, and complimentary fruit and tea available for customers and employees. There is also free parking for bicycles and showers.

Key Products 

• Furniture: Area
• Phone Booths and Acoustic Materials: Vicoustic
• Customized Furniture:  Afonso & Afonso
• LED Wall: LG
• Video Conference Systems: Logitech and Jabra

Overall Project Results

Avila Spaces, with two decades in the industry, is affiliated with the eOffice International Network and benefits from guidance from an International Advisory Board. This extensive experience and international network enable Avila Spaces to pursue projects with minimal risk.

Contributors:

Construction and fit-out: ICF Interiores

Meet the Design Team 

Team Leader: Teresa Câmara Jacinto

Photography

Joaquim Morgado

People’s Choice Finalist!

The 2024 Next Work Environment Competition Office Design category had a record breaking amount of submissions this year!

The Avila Coworking cafe was recognized as one of 12 People’s Choice Finalists in the Office Design Category.

WDM turned to the readers to pick out the space where they would most like to work. Follow along to see how each office did! To read about Avila Coworking, click here.