Collisions, community, and choice: Inside the mind of a flex design leader
Sometimes the best conversations happen when two design-minded people realize they share the same passion for creating better places to work. In this episode, Mara Hauser, founder and CEO of 25N Coworking and Founding Principal of Workplace Studio, alongside host Wesley Edmonds, talk about coworking, corporate offices, and why designing for humans, not just density, makes all the difference.
Key Insights
- Successful coworking design must balance visual appeal with seamless operations, hospitality, and service.
- Purposeful “collision spaces” encourage mentorship, cross-department interaction, and a stronger sense of workplace community.
- Maximizing density should not come at the expense of breakaway areas where people can recharge, connect, or collaborate.
- Movable furniture, accessible power, acoustic solutions, and varied privacy levels allow spaces to adapt to different working styles.
- Planning the visitor’s tour path during the design phase can reveal opportunities to strengthen a space’s story and improve its layout.
- Multifunctional spaces and flexible furniture help workplaces respond to changing needs throughout the life of a lease.
Learn more about Mara Hauser
Mara Hauser, RID, NCIDQ, is the founder, CEO, and workplace strategist behind Workplace Studio, a multidisciplinary interior design firm and consultancy specializing in coworking and commercial environments. She is also the founder and CEO of 25N Coworking, which she created to give suburban professionals a flexible workplace that balances focused productivity with meaningful connection and community. Recognized as a thought leader in workplace strategy, Mara draws on extensive experience in interior design, project management, coworking operations, and business development to create spaces centered on how people truly want to work. Connect with Mara on LinkedIn.
Learn more about Maria VanDeman
Maria VanDeman is the Director of Design Strategy at OFS, where she brings together design, strategy, and storytelling to create spaces that support people and inspire connection. With more than 17 years of experience in the commercial design industry, Maria has built a career spanning interior design, strategic sales, thought leadership, and advocacy for equity in the workplace. As the host of the Imagine a Place Podcast and the author of Design Your World, she is passionate about elevating the design profession and inspiring the next generation of creatives. Recognized with the 2022 HiP Leadership Award from Interior Design magazine, Maria is known for her thoughtful leadership, commitment to mentorship, and belief in the power of design to positively shape the human experience. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.
Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.
Read More about Maria in the Imagine a Place Journal
Learn more about Imagine a Place
Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.
Download the Imagine a Place Conversations Cards and spark inspiration today.
