Radius CoWork: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Renovation
/By: Michael Haas, Radius Community Organizer
The first time I walked into Radius, years prior to working here as a community organizer, I immediately felt a sense of energy and opportunity. At that point the space was only a fraction of what it is now, but it felt more than intentional, it felt curated by a team of professionals.
Several years later, when I visited again, the growth was tremendous. There were new conference rooms, a classroom, and art that adorned the walls as well as many more people.
Suite 901, previously Grant Larson Productions, has been remodeled into private offices and shared space during my tenure at Radius
Finally, in 2019, entering the space as an interviewee and eventual employee, I attempted to figure out how much time was spent by contractors to organize, design, and paint the space.
Later, I discovered that the number was “none.”
The mantra of “connect & create” at Radius applies to more than just the individual work that takes place by the freelancers, remote workers, and business owners here, it’s the guiding principle of the group itself.
Form Follows Function; Function Follows Members
Take a tour with Radius cofounder and managing director, Sean Fedorko, and you’ll quickly learn that all work done to the space is performed by members for the benefit of the members. As I asked about the history of the space, Sean was quick to bring out a USB drive of old photos cataloging the transformation of an unoccupied and derelict space on the 9th floor into what is now the Radius Classroom.
There was no construction crew, no professional contractor, simply a small group of clearly enthusiastic members smiling at the camera, building a space that was needed for them all.
Early members of Radius turning the Classroom into the space we know it as today
As a community organizer, I have seen the development of multiple areas by members who needed a specialize kind of space for their work. At Radius, form follows function as the members are the ones who discover and articulate the needs of the community.
Recently, Jenn McMillian and Vitus Kaiser took a break to move furniture around a nook that had previously been unoccupied for months. Now, the area is occupied by a dedicated desk member, Ed Wieczorek, and that area has new purpose. Little changes like that occur all the time as people micro-adjust the space to better fit their needs. From swapping desks because of the way the sun hits a monitor to changing the art in the call room walls to improve how they look on video chats, members drive the design of the space.
Leaving fingerprints on Radius
This same philosophy of building with the community extends beyond the physical space to the digital. The website is built entirely by members. Some worked on the design, others wrote the copy, a few edited the videos, and even more tackled the unique development challenges.
Our coffee brewing station, complete with french presses and chemex brewers, has a handy poster, designed by Megan Callaghan, explaining how each method of brewing works
One of the first documents I needed to familiarize myself with as a community organizer at Radius was the brand guide. It was created by Megan Callaghan to help maintain design consistency wherever the brand is represented in the community. Megan also created the colorful posters adorning the cafe, educating members about how to brew the perfect cup of coffee and reminding people to not leave the sink full of coffee grounds.
Look at the physical and digital presence of Radius and you will find countless fingerprints left by our members as they contribute back to the community that has impacted their lives.
Fedorko lights up at the memories and anecdotes about how past and present members have added their own personal flair. Be it the website, the space itself, or new projects like the recently-renovated West Wing (where Grant Larson Productions previously hung out), Radius is constantly redefining and reorienting itself through the thoughtful design of its members.
Designing the Future
When Radius members connect & create, it’s not only about advancing their professional projects, it’s about embracing and enhancing the environment they share. A whole new section, the West Wing, will be finished in 2020. Seth Trott and I have been working on these renovations for a few months. The space brings online new team rooms, secluded study space, and the oft-requested “nap room,” which will help our members stay mentally agile throughout the day.
As part of the West Wing, Radius is adding the Taylor Media Room, a podcasting studio available for all members. It’s named after the founders of MenajErie Studio, Nick and Jessica Taylor, long-time members who are designing the space and sponsoring the equipment. Lastly, Radius is expanding the tools available on-site as a satellite pickup/drop-off location for The Tool Lending Library, a community project run by one of our members, Jay Breneman.
Radius is great because people care enough to make it great. Whether rebuilding a room, contributing equipment, or hanging new art, Radius has been made great by people who come together to create it. If you’re thinking of making a career change or just want to be a part of this cool community you hear about, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us to learn more about the people and place so many are working to build.