On a cleantech speaking tour of Ukraine, I was introduced to a wicked awesome coworking space in Kiev, Chasopys. Pictures below.
Ukrainian green incubator Greencubator and solar company Activ Solar hosted me on a cleantech speaking tour around Ukraine last year. Lucky for me, this was before all of the political turmoil there and I got to spend time in Crimea as well as Kiev. I’ve already written ~10 articles about different aspects of my trip here on CleanTechnica, but there’s one story I’ve been meaning to share for a long time and am finally finding the time to write. As the subheading above notes, it’s about a coworking space in Kiev that I got to visit and speak at, Chasopys. (Here’s the Ukrainian site for Chasopys if you happen to read Ukrainian.)
Coworking is nothing new, but it’s still not that widespread. The idea is that you can go use a space in a shared room or facility and work alongside strangers. Of course, if you use the space enough, many of them might end up becoming friends or actual coworkers. Naturally, there are social benefits that come from such arrangements. There are often also big environmental benefits — shared spaces and facilities require less land development and more efficiently use the resources and energy present. (That’s why this is on CleanTechnica.)
Chasopys does things a bit differently than most, however. It has several rooms, each with very different and interesting themes. It’s hard to paint the picture simply by describing them, but hopefully my pictures are decent enough that you can get the idea. Check them out and if you are ever in Kiev, be sure to visit Chasopys!
(Note: Chasopys had just closed when we first came by and I took these pictures, but they let Roman show me around quickly before my speaking arrangement there the next day.)
“Library”
Chair & table on speaking stage.
Roman Zinchenko, co-founder & CEO at Greencubator
“Board Room”
One entire wall is a blackboard, making it easy to get up and draw or write something during a meeting.
Lounge
Beanbag Room
Movie Room
“The Park”
This may have been my favorite room. I love the idea and I love the mural on that wall. However, the bench seats aren’t the comfiest for hours of work.
This is actually a balcony next to “The Park” where people can come and smoke (Note: I don’t condone that).
“The Bathroom”
Clearly, one of the more interesting/creative room ideas.
And there’s an actual shower closet in there…
… “lady” and all.
Back to the Library, and Cafe
On one end of the library is the speaking/performance stage that I shared at the top. On the other ends is a little cafe which you can now see in this picture.
And right at the front, across from the cafe, is another blackboard which includes a note about the most important matter of all: WiFi.
Very cool place, imho. If I lived in Kiev, I have a feeling I’d be spending a lot of time at Chasopys.
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