Refounding coworking: from shared desks to “pushing spaces” with Fernando Mendes (Cowork Lisboa)

Refounding coworking: from shared desks to “pushing spaces” with Fernando Mendes (Cowork Lisboa)

From The Flex Factor by Spacebring

January 1, 2026 · 31 min · Season 1 · Episode 8

About this episode

Fernando Mendes discusses the evolution of coworking in Portugal and the challenges it faces today.

The true magic of coworking is the power of working alone, together. In this episode, Marc Navarro sits down with Fernando Mendes, a pioneer of the coworking movement in Portugal and co-founder of Cowork Lisboa. Fernando shares the unfiltered story of pioneering Portugal's flexible workspace scene since 2010 and why he believes the current trend of "mainstreamization" is a threat to the movement’s original magic. Key topics & timestamps: 2:18 The origins of Cowork in Lisbon (2009–2010) 2:34 Lessons in speed: "If you want to do something, do it fast" 3:10 The role of partnership and honest design feedback 5:04 Identifying the coworking "vibe" when no one in Portugal was watching 7:17 Evolution from designer to "community gardener" 8:31 The importance of first members: The story of Antonio and Isabelle 11:47 The magic of "working alone, together" 12:15 The domestication and professionalization of coworking spaces 14:55 Why coworking thrives during times of uncertainty 16:03 The debate on niche coworking vs. diverse communities 19:12 Coworking as the "Third Place" (neither home nor office) 20:51 The end of Cowork: Rent…

People in this episode

Host: Marc Navarro

Guest: Fernando Mendes

Topics covered

  • coworking
  • flexible workspace
  • community
  • partnership
  • design feedback
  • uncertainty
  • Third Place

Keywords

  • mainstreamization
  • community gardener
  • coworking vibe
  • domestication
  • professionalization

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Portugal, Lisbon

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