Publicly available workspaces

Publicly available workspaces for hobbyist or 1-(wo)man companies have recently increased in numbers in and around Helsinki. But in addition to workspaces or meeting rooms, citizens can now rent for example tools or machines for several hours.

For instance, you can do some DIY-related tasks at the new library and service place Oodi. In the middle of Helsinki! There you can rent and use 3D-printers, supersize printers or sewing machines on site.

Reasons for publicly available workspaces and support programs

If you wonder how this came to be, here are some reasons: For one, this has partially to do with the concept of “resource sharing” as well as the recycling and “upcycling”- trends. Also: The Finnish state (and the European Union) clearly sees potential in giving citizens the possibilities to build something on their own. It is empowering them. And it’s a strategy that will be more important as more and more jobs become redundant due to automation, new technologies and AI.

Of course, those programs and this way of thinking are an effect of the IT- sector development. As in the 90s and 2000s big companies went bell up or cut jobs, a lot of startup centres were launched. For example MicrosoftFlux, now Maria01 or StartUpSauna. As well as programs supporting the creation of companies the likes of Supercell or Rovio. This showed what individuals can do when you give them the chance AND the resources.

Business in sustainablity and resource sharing

Of course businesses and a lot of people profit from the culture of sustainability already. And no, I don’t mean AirBnB or Uber. I mean renting own tools, machines and assets. For example, the leading online rental portal in Finland is “Nettivuokraus.” (Which can be translated with “Net-Rental”). Here anyone can rent all kinds of stuff to other people. Also woodworking related tools and machines! Or “Kuin oma” (Roughly translated, it means “Like your own”).

But back to the topic…

More and more cities, counties, the state as well as private clubs and associations invest again in individuals through publicly available workspaces, programs and the idea of environmental sustainability. As mentioned above, they want citizens to develop themselves further. Maybe even create new ideas and businesses.
I have briefly noted in my previous post “My workshed and tools” using a publicly available workspace. It’s one option in the part “My first options and thoughts”.

My local example: Jalostus

I’ve visited today such workplace not too far from my home. Called “Jalostus” . It offers different kinds of courses, training and workspaces. There are short intro courses, but more importantly, they offer the tools, machinery and workspaces. Anything for sewing, gardening, creating artwork to woodworking. Last year they had a shop as well as various events where you can sell your products.

Strictly speaking they are group of people that needed such workspace, resources and tools and got our town as well as other parties funding this space and this project.

For me and beginning woodworkers, this is a very good choice to get started or to tackle larger projects. They have there so many tools I couldn’t afford or which I couldn’t even store, due to their size.

So while building my own shed, (or actually currently waiting for the snow to melt 😉 ), I am planning to use this publicly available workspace, learn from the people there, exchange ideas and techniques. Also, I plan to HELP AT THE SAME TIME wherever they will need help, to give back to that group of people and the city.

Publicly available workspaces: How they can help you as a woodworker or DIYer

The benefits are obvious:

• Savings: You don’t have to invest in tools, machines or space.
• Size: You can tackle larger projects
• Knowleadge: You might meet people with same interest and probably learn from them or can teach them a thing or two.
• Skills: You fast track your learning curve in a topic you like. Also, you can build yourself a skill faster and without large risks. A skill you might later maybe benefit from. For example as a new career or just releasing stress.

What if there are not such places around in my area

This what happened to the founders of these publicly available workspaces near me. There wasn’t such thing or such programs. So they searched for people with the same interest and founded an association/club. Then they got funding, a location, materials and machines from the city, the state, interest groups and companies. After that, they build it up from there.
So I would suggest doing the same. If you have found enough DIYers or woodworkers search for a space to build a publicly available workspace. And come up with a way to sponsor it.

One good start is also finding people online to build local groups and then create an association or a club.

The take-aways

I will still work on the woodshed project! But as you see from the picture above, there is just too much snow to get started on that. Also, there might be some construction work on the property, that prevents me from starting the project before the summer. Therefore I had to look for other options. And I think this publicly available workspaces could work pretty well.

Main point: There are a lot of resources out there. More than you might think!
Also: If you are stuck on a problem, go back to your options. Then see if others could also make sense. You might be surprised by what you find.