Work and leisure come together at MELT on Strijp‑T in Eindhoven:
‘Shh, I'm trying to sleep’
Michel Theeuwen
MELT, new business space concept developed by Kragt. On the work and lounge bench Martijn van Wezel (right, creative director and owner) and Koen van Loon (workspace developer). © Jean Pierre Reijnen/DCI Media
Most striking shared facilities are the game room and the place for a mid-day nap at the office, with a massage chair and three sleeping pods that can be darkened. Is there any need for that? "During a tour I came into the relaxation room, talking. Immediately I hear, 'shh, we're trying to sleep.' Yes, the spots for a power nap are already being well used," says Martijn van Wezel, creative director of Kragt.
Kragt develops work environments and also furnishes them itself, from design to execution, such as in the Videolab on Strijp-S and the PSV stadium. Kragt has taken the beautiful top floor of building TQ with the new MELT concept. Six weeks ago the interior was finished; in the meantime only four of the fifteen office units are still available. It's no coincidence that Van Wezel is already thinking about rolling out the MELT concept elsewhere in the city, in Amsterdam, "and why not across the whole world", according to Kragt's creative director, who is himself also based just around the corner on Strijp-T.
The room with sleeping cabins for a power nap between (new) working in shared workspace MELT in building TQ on Strijp-T in Eindhoven. On the right Koen van Loon of Kragt. © Michel Theeuwen
MELT is primarily intended for service-oriented scale-up companies in the technical/creative industry that are ready for something bigger, but do not yet want to or cannot rent an entire building. "You notice that many shared workspace concepts are not very flexible when a company grows. We've solved that here," says Koen van Loon of Kragt. At MELT a company rents a fixed unit of four, six, ten or twenty workspaces. In addition, each tenant can purchase a number of 'memberships' for employees. These 'members' can then make use of the shared facilities and of the individual workspaces.
,,What you see is that a company, for example, opens a branch in Eindhoven with a few fixed workspaces. Some employees then only need to be here occasionally. For that the company takes a few member spots, so those people can come here to work", says Van Loon. ,,And that also fits well in this corona time: employees who work from home can then also come to the office. We also see that with our own people who can now also temporarily come here", according to Van Wezel.
Building TQ on Strijp-T in Eindhoven with the shared workspace MELT on the top floor. © Michel Theeuwen
The fixed units are glass offices spread across the floor, always adjoining the exterior, with a view and their own roof terrace. A kind of smoked glass has been chosen, for privacy and to prevent the shop-window effect. Tenants can somewhat make the interior their own. Further, on the floor there are a kind of phone booths (mainly for video calling at the moment), quiet rooms for working, meeting units for two people, large sofas for lounging or working, and a presentation room. Centrally located there is also a pantry - a kitchen to prepare lunch or dinner. With a couple of good espresso machines. ,,The good coffee does indicate our level of quality", said Van Loon. And of course the corner where you can game on a large screen. And the room with the sleeping places.
,,Power naps? No, that's not for me, I don't wake up nicely after an afternoon nap," says Ivo van Reij of Organic United, one of the tenants of MELT. ,,We are huge fans of the roof terrace and the balconies. That's where the buzz happens, even in Covid19 times. Like today at the first Friday afternoon drinks, although it mustn't get too cozy. We also sometimes play FIFA in between. And I like to join in on the weekend as well. Soon we're thinking about starting the day together at the Eindhoven Gym in TQ, although that's still only outdoors for now. So we can then start the day fresh and raring to go at the office."
Van Reij zette een volgende stap met zijn bedrijf dat biologische boeren en hun afnemers bij elkaar brengt, van Microlab op Strijp-S naar TQ. ,,We zijn naar vier medewerkers gegroeid en hier hebben we de mogelijkheid om door te groeien in een professionele, duurzame omgeving. Hier vinden we ook wat meer aansluiting bij de andere huurders die met duurzaamheid bezig zijn. Onze mensen in de sales, die vaak op het land te vinden zijn, kunnen hier dan als member enkele dagen per week werken."
MELT should facilitate users in the 'new way of working', say Van Wezel and Kragt. "For this generation, work and leisure merge into one whole, hence the name MELT. That brings the living and working environment together," says Van Wezel. "So then the children come along and they can play games here for a while. Or a company cooks a communal dinner in our kitchen," says Van Loon.
The target group does not come here only to work
But isn't it much better to separate work and private life? ,,We only facilitate where there is a need among the target group," says Van Loon. ,,Companies want to bind young talent and deploy an inspiring workplace for that. For many younger employees that also has a social aspect where they find connection. A beer on the roof terrace, working out together in the building's gym. That's what they're looking for, they come here precisely not to work alone." ,,We want to remove that traditional office feel," adds Van Wezel. ,,We create an environment where you don't watch the clock. Where you can also stay after five o'clock. And then you can enjoy a meal here on the roof terrace, instead of at home." Van Loon hopes to raise the service level even further by being able to offer a prepared lunch soon. ,,And if the corona measures allow it, we also want to have a hairdresser come by. If there is a need for that."