How our coworking community sparked a thriving partnership for two designers

A chance meeting by the coffee machine at The Landing by Spacemade led to a successful partnership between two independent design professionals, and now it’s helping both of their businesses thrive. Maria, an interior designer who runs BB Interiors, and Cameron, an architect who co-directs Alex Tart Architects, worked under the same coworking roof for months before realising the potential of joining forces.

Today, they’re working on shared projects, recommending each other to clients and saving a huge amount of time by not having to go back and forth on email with suppliers who aren’t in the same building. 

These guys are proving how a supportive coworking community can accelerate business growth, and we love that The Landing by Spacemade is helping them do it.

 

TLDR:

Maria, an interior designer (BB Interiors), and Cameron, an architect (Alex Tart Architects), met by the coffee machine at The Landing by Spacemade. What began as a few friendly chats turned into a full creative partnership — and a major productivity boost.

By working side by side in the same coworking space, they’ve become around 50% more effective, saving up to 40 hours on coordination during a single six-month project. That’s nearly a full work week reclaimed — time they now spend making faster decisions, solving problems on the spot and keeping their projects flowing.

Today, they collaborate on residential refurbishments, refer clients to each other and credit their business growth to the kind of trust and teamwork that only comes from sharing a workspace every day.

How a coffee machine and a casual introduction led to something bigger

Maria and Cameron first started chatting by the coffee machine, the unofficial hub of any office, proving that caffeine and casual loitering are still the best networking tools around. A fellow member soon formally introduced the interior designer and the architect, sensing their work might complement each other. In fact, they’d already noticed each other’s projects in passing – Cameron’s team often admired the mood boards and material samples Maria had displayed in her studio office. At The Landing by Spacemade, everyday interactions like these often spark professional relationships, and in their case, it laid the groundwork for a strong connection.

 

Early conversations laid the foundation for trust

At first, their interactions were purely informal. Working in the same field but in different roles, they often helped each other with little challenges in their respective projects. Cameron would pick Maria’s brain on interiors, and she would ask his advice on architectural questions. These friendly back-and-forths built up trust over time.

First impressions played a big part in setting the tone. Maria admits she had expected an architect to be a bit serious, but Cameron defied that stereotype. She remembers thinking, “He’s a laid-back, fun guy.” That relaxed encounter immediately put her at ease. “Honestly, it was really lovely,” she says. “I felt like I could be myself, and it wasn’t the usual stiff networking vibe. We talked about plenty of things besides work, which really helped build trust early on.”

Cameron was equally impressed by Maria’s competence. Seeing her studio brimming with samples and hearing her discuss her work in detail, he quickly realised she understood how to turn designs into reality. “I had a very high opinion from the beginning,” he says.

 

How coworking makes creative collaboration smoother and smarter

After about a year of getting to know each other at the coworking space, Maria and Cameron decided to join forces on a large residential refurbishment in London (their first formal project together). It’s already clear that sharing a workspace has supercharged their efficiency.

Cameron notes that when refining plans for a project, say designing a tricky staircase or fitting bespoke cabinetry, sitting down together with drawings or samples means they can resolve issues in minutes, rather than days of emails. In fact, they once solved a complex staircase detail in ten minutes in person – a task that might have dragged on for days over email. This little-and-often approach keeps the project moving and ensures both spatial and aesthetic details stay aligned. Maria agrees that the design conversation now “flows naturally” from architecture to interiors. By addressing questions as they arise, they stay creatively in sync and maintain momentum on the project.

For example, with a job spanning roughly six months and involving around 80 hours of coordination, working physically together can make a serious dent in that time. Studies show that teams working side by side are up to 50% more effective than those working individually, and face‑to‑face requests have been found to be 34 times more effective than emails.

That equates to roughly:

• 40 hours saved on coordination, just through the ease of quick in‑person chats, sketches and spontaneous problem‑solving.
• Which means nearly a full working week reclaimed, allowing more headspace for design decisions, creative thinking or simply keeping the project momentum up.

So rather than waiting on emails or paper‑trail scheduling, Maria and Cameron benefit from catching issues early without the digital back‑and‑forth slowing them down.

Perhaps most importantly, they genuinely enjoy working together. What began as a professional connection has grown into a real friendship. Maria even jokes that she interrupts him “constantly” throughout the day. Cameron doesn’t mind. Being just a shout away helps them resolve questions on the fly, rather than over long emails. It’s collaboration on a new level, almost as if they’re one combined studio.

Asked to describe their partnership in three words, Maria says it’s been “productive, insightful and similar” – similar in the sense that they found more common ground in their approach than they expected. Cameron, for his part, calls it “dynamic, efficient and enjoyable.” They also share a sense of humour, which helps keep stress in check during the long, demanding process of designing a dream home.

 

Working together opened new doors for both businesses

For Maria, teaming up with an established architecture firm has boosted her young company’s credibility and workload. When she first joined The Landing by Spacemade, she was a one-woman solopreneur operation; now she’s taken on an intern to help handle the new projects. “We have grown, and that feels amazing,” says Maria.

Cameron’s firm has also gained a trusted partner. By involving Maria early in their jobs, they can deliver a more cohesive end product for clients. She’s now firmly part of their network, and he wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her for future projects. In their line of work, recommendations are serious business. “There are a lot of cowboys out there,” Maria notes, so having a reliable partner to vouch for is a huge advantage. In an industry built on referrals and reputation, that kind of trust is gold.

The coworking community helped everything click

They both agree that the coworking community was crucial in sparking their partnership. In a traditional office setting, or if they worked fully remote, their paths might never have crossed, but at The Landing by Spacemade, connections like these form naturally. Working in the same space day in and day out allowed them to truly see how each other operates – something that would never happen if they only met in formal meetings. That insight fast-tracked their trust. “Ultimately, when you recommend someone, you’re putting your own reputation on the line. Having the chance to witness first-hand how someone works day to day goes a long way,” Cameron says. It gave him the confidence to put Maria forward for collaboration, knowing from daily experience that she would deliver.

Beyond their own alliance, the wider network at The Landing by Spacemade has been a source of inspiration and support for both. Cameron notes that the diversity of members means even chats with people from completely different industries can spark useful ideas. He’s picked up tips from fellow members in fields like tech and manufacturing, insights he might never have encountered working in isolation. 

As an example, when Maria was torn between two cabinet-handle designs for a client, she did an impromptu poll around the hot-desk area. Cameron, his colleagues and other members all weighed in, helping her pick an option that the client ended up loving.

That kind of instant feedback wouldn’t have been possible if she were working alone. For Maria, the coworking space provides the camaraderie of a big office without the drawbacks. “It’s like being part of a big company, but without the office politics,” she laughs. Those spontaneous conversations and shared experiences keep her motivated. “It feels like you’re part of something bigger, even when you’re working for yourself,” she says.

 

Advice for other members on making connections that matter

Maria and Cameron’s story shows how powerful coworking collaboration can be. So what advice do they have for other members looking to spark meaningful connections?

• Break the ice and don’t be shy

“Just don’t be afraid. Honestly, everyone’s eager to partner up,” Maria says. It took her a little time to come out of her shell, but once she did, the rewards were immediate. Whether it’s striking up a chat over coffee or attending a member social event, take the opportunity to talk to people around you. Chances are they’ll be happy you did.

• Broaden your network beyond your field

Cameron suggests not limiting yourself to mingling only with those in your own industry. The person at the next desk might work in insurance, tech or something totally unrelated to your business, and that’s okay. “Often there are unforeseen benefits and connections you can make in the future just by reaching out and being part of the community,” he says. Some of the most valuable insights or opportunities may come from these unexpected connections.

 

Looking ahead, their partnership is only getting stronger

Currently, they are in the thick of their first joint project, and it’s going great. The two are already looking at future opportunities to work together. Cameron has a few new projects on the horizon where he plans to involve Maria from the outset, and Maria is eager to join forces again.

In the end, what started as a simple “hello” at the coffee machine has evolved into a coworking partnership greater than the sum of its parts. “At the end of the day, you design things because you love them,” says Cameron. “It’s a great process to be part of, and it’s a great process to do together.” For these two Spacemade members, together is exactly how they plan to keep growing. In fact, Cameron says that working with Maria has been the best connection he’s made through coworking.

Their story is a testament to how a great coworking community can spark partnerships that help small businesses thrive.

Ready to find your own community and a new partnership? Join Spacemade! Explore our flexible memberships and find the perfect location to call your own.