Rotterdam Collective

The Rotterdam Collective (RO-CO) is go! We have a building and are looking for the last few participants to rent workplaces in the great space in the centre of Rotterdam. This page gives you all the information about the collective, the space and the financial details.

Richard Boeser and Tom Bosschaert started the RO-CO initiative 5 years ago to develop a new concept for collaboration. Our concept realizes a place where small independent entrepreneurs, studios and freelancers can work in a single space on their own or shared projects. As a collective, we operate socially responsible and sustainable. We progressively engage the city of Rotterdam, the streets, its people and other initiatives. We're in search for a new way of working, embedding Open Source, freedom vs. responsibility, and the joining of positive forces.

The initiative:
Where interesting people work interesting things happen. Many inspired and entrepreneurial people work alone, in small groups or as a freelancer. With the collective we combine the freedom of that way of working with the possibilities of a large organization. In this way we can couple a large number of disciplines with an efficient organization in which each participant maintains their own autonomy and freedom.

We will shape a new way of working (together) based on a long-term vision of the future and understanding the changing role of individuals in organizations. The collective is a network organization as well as a real place with real people. People rent places and are therefore not as transient as in flexhubs and similar concepts, fuelling long term cooperation and collaboration.

All members retain their autonomy, and become a member of the collective. The collective is a central point of reference for potential clients, and can invest in attracting assignments that can be shared by members of the collective. Together the members can perform larger projects, increase their visibility and share resources to cut operating costs. In this way The collective can work truly interdisciplinary and integrated, a think-and-do tank in the heart of Rotterdam.

Organisation:
The direction is in the hands of Tom and Richard, themselves part of the collective with their respective companies (Tom with Except Systemic Sustainability & Architecture, and Richard with the game studio Sparpweed). We are founding the collective in our brand new location: the Stadhuisplein gebouw in the heart of Rotterdam. In time the collective will grow and take on new shapes and forms. We look forward to what the collective may become in the future.

The building:
The Stadhuisplein Gebouw is located just minutes away from the central station of Rotterdam, looking out onto city hall and flanking the historic modernist Lijnbaan shopping district. It's located on a square with many café's and restaurants forming one of the main focal points of rotterdam's nightlife. the RO-CO is located on the fourth floor of the building, the other floors occupied by single-unit artist and creative workplaces. The main space of the RO-CO is about 350 m2, with smaller areas for meeting, printing, kitchen, and so on on the side. The central hall is glazed entirely on one side, giving each of the 11 available areas the same space, with the same large panoramic window.

Each area in the collective has enough space for two to four workspaces, large worktables, storage and seating. While each area is limited, they all form part of one large space, giving a very spacious and open atmosphere. This does mean each participant will need to be mindful of others in their environment. There is no elevator in the building.

The building is available to us for a minumum of three years, after which we predict we have a two year window of extension. After this period, the collective will move to another central location.

Shared services:
Participants of RO-CO will need to work on their own projects to finance the rent. In this rent as many services as possible are shared to cut costs. Included in the price are:

• Professional Xerox print station
• Copier and paper-handling stuff
• Meeting room with projector
• Server with Data backup
• Internet
• Furnished Kitchen

In time we might add a cleaning service, secretary, and so on.

Costs:
De rental fee is € 320 ex. VAT for +- 30m2. This is all-in, so including gas, electricity and water and all services such as printers, internet, meeting room, etc. There's a one month deposit and a € 30 deposit for keys. All participants bring or make their own lights (LED) and furniture, and help to paint the space. We'll provide the paint and materials.

Every rentable area is a part of a single large space. Double spaces can also be rented.

When?
We officially occupy the building in January of 2010. Before this time the space is accessible for moving in, painting and so on.

For who?
It is important that the members of the collective play an active role in the organization. Initative and contributions are therefore very much appreciated. To meet our goals it would be beneficial of there is a spread in professions, but most importantly a collaborative mindset and can-do attitude. Besides a socially responsible vision and a connection with the city we do not have specific requirements for the participants.

Currently 10 of the 11 places are destined for participants, one being used as a shared seating and table area. There are already a number of participants so there's a limited number of spaces available. We suggest that if you're interested to let us know ASAP.

For questions or expressions of interest you can contact Tom or Richard.