Who still remembers the childhood song “Sharing is Fun”, which goes, “…if you have a slice of buttered bread, cut it in the middle, then your friend will have some too, because sharing is fun…”? Concepts like sharing, exchanging, and giving are currently very popular. The so-called sharing economy is booming, and platforms like Airbnb, Drivenow, and Kleiderkreisel are becoming increasingly popular. In a time when the individual is at the center and self-interest often prevails, there is simultaneously a trend toward community and sharing.
Coworking spaces are also based on this principle. People from very different professions temporarily work on their projects while sharing a space and its facilities. Social effects such as collaborative work and creative exchange are also important.
The Sharing Station project offers a model to further activate the social aspect within a coworking space. It is a wall system designed for sharing materials, information, and skills with one another without commercial intentions. Various boxes can be attached at three different heights, serving as temporary containers for items to be given away. The boxes come in different sizes and their arrangement can be quickly changed using the simple hanging system. Additionally, pinboards can be attached to post requests, offers, interesting articles, and contact information.
The project is inspired by the so-called “Giveboxes,” small wooden cabinets that are occasionally found on the streets of Berlin. Anyone can leave still-usable items there, and someone else can take them. In this way, fast-moving consumer goods become circulation items, and neighbors are brought closer together. The Sharing Station can similarly foster the feeling of being part of a supportive community. This is particularly important in an inclusive coworking space. However, it can also be imagined in other contexts such as offices, clubhouses, or residential communities, where it serves a unifying function as well.
