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As such, occupiers acquire additional
space to allow for expansion or swing
space, resulting in excessive initial day
one costs. By introducing meanwhile uses,
occupiers are provided with a refreshing and
innovative option to mitigate costs and provide
occupational agility.
A smaller group of occupiers which include
startups, charities, and low-income initiatives
often require affordable space while they
develop their businesses. Meanwhile uses
can provide them with flexibility, access to
markets they would otherwise be priced out
of, and the ability to experiment new business
ideas with lower commitment, risk, and costs.
While corporations mull over how best to
resolve this issue in the most cost effective
and efficient way, innovative companies have
sprung up across the globe. For instance, the
likes of Headbox and Peerspace operate as
an Airbnb-type provider of commercial event
spaces, Storefront facilitating retail pop-ups,
and the Creative Space Agency promoting
meanwhile use by creatives and artists. Not
to mention government initiatives facilitating
such uses, some of which offer grants to
occupiers.
MeetLab, Budapest
A community workshop
and experimental space.
Its mission is to innovate
the development of visual
and other forms of culture,
to make such knowledge
accessible through design
pedagogy and incubation
of student projects.
DISRUPTION
Central Parade, London
A former council direct centre
that has been transformed into a
mixed use creative hub of retail,
office workspace, studio space,
and a bakery, for two years while
the long-term future of the site is
decided upon.
The project was jointly funded
by London Borough of Waltham
Forest and the Greater London
Authority’s High Street Fund,
designed by Gort Scott Architects
and is being managed by
Meanwhile Space CIC.
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