As coworking spaces focus more on automation and making the most of every square foot, it’s easy to lose sight of their original goal: creating a better way to live and work. Amy King, founder of Good Coworking, believes a shared workspace should offer more than just fast WiFi—it should make a real difference.
I love this question because it gets to the fundamental reason I started Good Coworking, which is to model and grow a responsible business culture that has a net positive impact.Amy KingCo-founder at Good Coworking
Here’s how today’s operators can create spaces that focus on inclusive sustainability and well-being, which are key advantages for coworking spaces in 2026 and beyond.
1. Why sustainability is a business imperative
Sustainability isn’t just a bonus anymore. With more companies following ESG rules and Gen Z caring about climate issues, your environmental impact is now a top reason people choose your space.
If your space isn’t eco-friendly, you’re losing members. People want to know their office isn’t adding to the climate crisis.
The "Good" strategy:
- You don’t need to rebuild everything to meet LEED standards. Start by using motion-sensor LED lights and low-VOC paints.
- Go paperless with Spacebring. Use digital signatures and automated invoicing to cut out paper waste from your operations.
- Take advantage of the sharing economy’s natural eco-friendliness by sharing resources.
Coworking is inherently more eco-friendly than companies officing on their own because coworking means shared resources... Bottom line, coworking businesses can have even more impact than other types of businesses, which is exciting!Amy KingCo-founder at Good Coworking
2. Coworking space as a health tool
The WELL building standard looks at how buildings affect our health. Amy King believes a coworking space should help you feel better at the end of the day than when you walked in.
- Biophilic design means more than just putting a plant on a desk. Good Coworking has 254 indoor plants to boost air quality and help people focus.
- In 2026, good air quality is a top perk. Use HEPA filters and let in as much natural light as possible.
- Add sit-stand desks and encourage people to use the stairs to help fight sedentary habits.
Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, so a healthy, sustainable workspace is key to their success in work and life... wellness and sustainability are two sides of the same coin; you can’t have one without the other.Amy KingCo-founder at Good Coworking
3. Inclusive sustainability: the "soul" of the space
Sustainability should be for everyone. Amy King supports inclusive sustainability, making sure healthy flex spaces are available to underrepresented entrepreneurs, not just those who are already successful.
- Factor in the social impact of your location and your membership tiers.
- Offer yearly scholarships or affordable memberships to groups that have been underserved in the past.
I want to be sure that a healthy environment is not just a high-ticket item for those who have already 'made it.'... Environmental justice has to be factored into the conversation when it comes to responsible coworking business practices.Amy KingCo-founder at Good Coworking
4. Community as the "immune system" of your business
Why do members stick around? It’s not just about comfy chairs—it’s about feeling safe and enjoying the positive atmosphere.
- Your community manager’s main goal should be making introductions and helping people connect.
- Use tools like the Spacebring community feed to connect online and in-person networking, so both introverts and extroverts can take part.
The primary reason why people choose us over other spaces is the good vibe and energy. We attract amazing, diverse people because we are genuinely inclusive and put the community’s well-being first. Any coworking operator can do this.Amy KingCo-founder at Good Coworking
5. Technology: automate the boring, humanize the rest
People come first, but technology is the backbone. You can’t build real connections if you’re busy with manual paperwork.
- Smartphone-based access makes things easier and lets members come and go any time.
- Let members book meeting rooms and manage their plans through an app. This gives them control and frees you up for more meaningful conversations.
Generate recurring revenue and offer exceptional customer experience at your shared or coworking space
Conclusion: start small, trust your gut
Creating a “Good” coworking space takes time. It’s all about making small changes and building new habits along the way.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to trust your gut when it comes to business decisions... And consider phasing in various features over time. Small steps in the right direction are better than no steps!Amy KingCo-founder at Good Coworking
Focus on building a space that matters. Spacebring can take care of the rest, from paperless operations to community engagement tools, giving you the tech you need for a great coworking space.
