As one of the nominees in the category Best Independent Coworking Space at the very first Coworking Awards in Berlin, werkhain is already making its mark on the city’s flexible office scene. In a highly competitive market, the independent space has stood out through its strong identity, deep community roots, and bold approach to design and culture.
In Berlin, where creativity and entrepreneurship constantly reinvent the urban landscape, standing out as a coworking space is no small achievement. Over the past two years, werkhain has quietly built a reputation as a place that feels different—more personal, more intentional, and more closely connected to the city’s cultural DNA.
Being shortlisted in the inaugural edition of the Coworking Awards is a milestone for the team, but also a reflection of a much longer journey rooted in experience and ambition.
We’re still in that phase where everything is ‘firsts,’” says Selina Schroeter, Head of Business Development & Communication at werkhain. “Being a finalist in year two feels like real confirmation.
From Experience to Execution
Before founding werkhain, the team had spent years operating and managing coworking and office spaces for others. That background gave them a clear understanding of what worked, what didn’t, and what they felt was missing in the market.
Rather than replicating existing models, they chose to build something deeply personal—an environment shaped by their own values and by Berlin’s distinctive creative culture.
That vision was put to the test immediately. In just seven weeks, an empty former gym was transformed into a fully operational coworking space. The tight timeline required bold decisions, fast execution, and a strong belief in the concept.
Today, the building reflects that early intensity: carefully planned work zones coexist with striking visual elements, from large-scale graffiti to unconventional meeting rooms and artistic installations.
Function first, then flair,” Schroeter explains. “We didn’t want design that distracts from work. We wanted design that supports it.
Designing for How People Really Work
At the core of werkhain’s philosophy is a simple idea: great workplaces are built around real behavior, not trends. Every element—from desk layouts and lighting to soundproof booths and silent areas—has been developed with daily work patterns in mind.
The space offers multiple modes of working. Members can move between collaborative areas, focused zones, and social spaces depending on their needs. This flexibility has become increasingly important in a post-pandemic work culture where routines are constantly shifting.
For werkhain, aesthetics are never separated from usability.
Design without usability is just decoration,” says Schroeter. “That’s not what we’re about.
This approach has led to what the team calls “mood-based working”—spaces designed to support different mental states throughout the day, whether that means deep concentration, creative exchange, or informal connection.
Independence as a Strategic Advantage
Operating independently has given werkhain the freedom to evolve quickly and organically. Without corporate structures or standardized templates, the team can adapt the space based on direct feedback from members.
Layouts are adjusted, new formats are tested, and underused areas are repurposed when needed. This constant refinement ensures that the space grows alongside its community rather than becoming rigid over time.
We listen closely and react fast,” Schroeter says. “The space grows with the community, not the other way around.
This responsiveness has helped werkhain maintain relevance in a highly competitive market dominated by international chains and large operators.
Community Beyond Networking
For many coworking providers, “community” is a marketing term. At werkhain, it is embedded in daily operations.
The team works on-site and uses the space as its own headquarters, creating natural points of contact with members. Relationships develop through everyday interactions rather than through formal programs.
Regular activities such as community lunches, AfterWerk gatherings, pop-up events, and even LAN nights create opportunities for members to connect on their own terms.
Community isn’t a program. It’s daily practice, Schroeter emphasizes.
The building itself supports this philosophy. Lower floors encourage social interaction through shared kitchens, gaming areas, and rooftop spaces, while upper levels offer quieter environments for focused work. Members can choose how—and when—they want to engage.
Proving the Concept
The first year of operation brought both challenges and validation. Simply opening on time was a major achievement.
Turning an empty gym into a coworking space in seven weeks took a lot of nerve, says Schroeter.
Since then, the numbers have confirmed the concept: more than 100 members, over 25 cultural events, and growing visibility within Berlin’s coworking ecosystem.
External recognition followed. At the Coworking Awards organized by the German Coworking Federation, werkhain received first place as Best Newcomer Space, along with additional awards for community management and overall design.
For a small team with limited resources, the recognition reinforced their belief in independent, locally rooted coworking.
Strengthening Local Roots
Rather than focusing on rapid expansion, werkhain is prioritizing depth over scale. Strengthening its position within Berlin’s creative and business communities remains the main objective.
Upcoming initiatives include the return of “Foodhain,” a dinner series hosted by a chef from within the member base. These evenings combine food, conversation, and community in a format that reflects the space’s core values.
Those evenings capture exactly what we want werkhain to be: high-quality, personal, and genuinely connecting, says Schroeter.
At the same time, several new design projects are underway, aimed at further refining the building’s character and introducing new distinctive spaces.
The Role of Independent Spaces in Berlin’s Future
Looking ahead, Schroeter believes independent operators will play a decisive role in shaping Berlin’s office market.
As work becomes more flexible and individualized, standardized solutions are losing relevance. What matters instead is a deep understanding of how people actually function in different contexts.
The future won’t be won by the prettiest lobby,” she says. “It’ll be won by spaces that understand different modes, sensitivities, and rhythms of work.
Independent spaces, she argues, are better positioned to experiment, listen, and build cultures that feel genuine rather than manufactured.
In a city where authenticity is closely tied to identity, this becomes a powerful differentiator.
A Workspace Shaped by Its City
With its blend of functionality, artistic expression, and strong community ties, werkhain reflects Berlin itself: layered, evolving, and unapologetically individual.
What started as a personal ambition has grown into a recognized platform for work, culture, and connection. As the space continues to develop, one principle remains unchanged: building something real, responsive, and rooted in its surroundings.
And as its nomination in Berlin’s first Coworking Awards shows, that approach is not only resonating—it is helping redefine what independent coworking can be.