The Commons offers coworking spaces run on renewable energy

The Commons, a coworking space that opened its doors in Melbourne's inner city of Collingwood in 2016, has a goal to combat pollution and global warming by offering 100 percent renewable energy in its facilities. 

According to The Commons Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Cliff Ho carbon offsetting is costing the company 35 percent more on its electricity bills, but he says it’s important for members to know that “their devices and buildings are powered by green energy.”

“Even our older members are attracted to it, and why not? Everyone knows it’s the right thing to do.”

There are also no plastic cups or straws in the offices and the company tries to educate members when they come through to explain how to manage waste.

“We recycle all paper and plastic, and compost.

“It’s about educating people so that when they go home they can keep it up.”

The expansion to the QV building is for 350 spaces. Designed by interior design firm Foolscap, it will offer a range of shared amenities, including a quiet zone library, amphitheater, indoor golf simulator, record lounge and sensory room. It will also be dog-friendly. It’s the fourth space for the company that was started in 2016 by Ho and school friend Tom Ye who were working other jobs at the time.

Others are in Collingwood, South Melbourne and Sydney’s inner city  Chippendale. There are plans to grow internationally as well. The coworking space was set up before all the big players were in the market, according to Ho. He says there were about 10 coworking spaces in Melbourne at the time, and now there’s a few hundred.

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