ATTRIBUTES OF A SUSTAINABLE CO-WORKING SPACE - A PRISMA REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJEMP.933025Keywords:
Co-Working Space, Green Building, Sustainable SpaceAbstract
The transition towards sustainable workspaces has gained momentum in recent years, particularly with the rising popularity of co-working spaces as flexible and shared environments that support wellbeing, collaboration, and environmental sustainability. Despite this growth, no comprehensive framework currently consolidates the physical attributes of a sustainable co-working space. This review addresses this gap by systematically analysing existing literature to uncover the core elements that contribute to the sustainability of co-working spaces. This study aims to define the physical attributes of an environmentally sustainable co-working space by applying an advanced search strategy using the Scopus and IEEE Xplore databases, focusing on publications with keywords such as “sustainable space”, “co-working space”, “green environment”, and their synonyms. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework guided the screening and selection process, which resulted in a final dataset of 55 relevant articles. Through qualitative thematic analysis of the abstracts, four dominant themes emerged: (1) Green Environment, which includes thermal comfort, indoor air quality, acoustic control, and natural light; (2) Green Materials, highlighting the importance of recycled, low-carbon, and environmentally-friendly construction materials; (3) Open Layout, emphasizing flexible and collaborative spatial arrangements that enhance social interaction and space efficiency; and (4) Smart Technology, referring to the integration of IoT systems and data-driven solutions that optimize energy use and user experience. The findings suggest that a combination of these attributes is important in creating high-performance, user-centred, and environmentally responsible co-working spaces. This review provides a foundation for future research and practice in sustainable co-working space design to architects, developers, and policymakers who are seeking to promote healthier and more resilient shared work environments. This is the first study to define the physical attributes of a sustainable co-working space.
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