Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to type away on that report or a comfortable seating area for your clients to wait, a well-designed office space can boost productivity and legitimacy for any business or organization. 

But finding that space can be challenging, especially for small businesses and solo professionals. Owning your own office space is also tricky, especially if you don’t have the employees to fill the space–or the capital to cover the costs. Working from home or a coffee shop is an option, aside from the ever-present distractions. Enter coworking: a new form of office space that brings diverse professionals together into one workspace. 

One of Bismarck, ND’s latest coworking spaces, Uptown 43, opened recently in the H&D Schilling Building. Resembling an old brick school, the Schilling Building was built in the current century–in fact, the building hasn’t even celebrated its 10th birthday yet. But this was the goal when Cary Schilling first started building.

“The goal was to make this building look like it’s been here for many years,” Schilling said. “I wanted to create a coworking space that made us feel like we were in a newly renovated warehouse that included polished concrete floors, exposed metal ceilings and ductwork, and North Dakota’s own Hebron Brick.”

While Schilling had a specific vision for the building and its uses, he wasn’t sure how he wanted the office decorated. After all, a coworking office space needs to be both welcoming and quiet, with spots to collaborate and spots to get work done on your own.

When friend and colleague Emily Wilcox heard Schilling’s plan, she urged him to contact Kyle Hellman at InterOffice. As soon as Schilling got off the phone with Hellman, he knew his search for interior planners was over.

“They listened to what we wanted to accomplish; I could tell by their communications they were the ones who understood our vision and they were the ones that could deliver,” Schilling said.

InterOffice got to work, noting the beautiful Hebron brick composing the building, Hellman and InterOffice ran with the “old but new” theme, pulling color palettes from the 1930s–and Schilling trusted them every step of the way.

“If you bring several creative people together and just let them go, you’ll like the results,” Schilling said.

Coming Together

Uptown 43 was the work of many, rather than the work of one. InterOffice’s own Hannah Schumacher and Sheila Hanson were instrumental in getting Uptown 43’s style just right. 

Because the coworking space is mainly composed of windows, special consideration was paid to color schemes and artwork, noting how shadows and light would evolve throughout the day and into the night. 

Instead of the typical fluorescent whites and dull ecrus that compose many office spaces, Uptown 43’s space is adorned with muted tones: cool grays and dusty navies cover the walls, while exposed brickwork provides a pop of warmth. The art on the walls is from LeftBank Art, hand-picked by Hanson.

The brickwork also informs other choices of color throughout. Poppy-red Herman Miller Cosm Work Chairs–wheeled and adjustable for convenience and comfort– sit around the Herman Miller Headway High-Top Table. The high-top table is a magnet for meetings, both formal and informal.

“You can not only have a great meeting, but you could host a Super Bowl party,” Schilling said.

”They listened to what we wanted to accomplish; I could tell by their communications they were the ones who understood our vision and they were the ones that could deliver.

Cary Schilling

Spaces for Groups and Individuals

A coworking space isn’t complete without ample places for people to, well, cowork. In the center of the individual offices is a spacious seating area for breakout meetings (or for clients to sit comfortably while waiting to meet with their professional). Deep blue-gray chairs complement a warm gray couch–all of the JSI Indie Lounge Furniture line.

Each of the six individual offices is furnished by InterOffice as well. Workers can get their tasks done with height-adjustable JSI Vision FLUX Desks. Comfort is assured with Herman Miller Aeron Chairs behind each desk, allowing for optimal working conditions. 

Multiple TVs, a breakroom complete with a kitchenette, a copier and printer station, and step-out balconies round out the amenities at Uptown 43–there’s even a Starbucks and a highly-rated Thai restaurant in the building, meaning lunches and coffee breaks out-of-office don’t have to be out-of-building.

Uptown 43 offers opportunities for freelancers, business owners, and more to collaborate and learn from one another. 

“When you work around like-minded people, incredible ideas can be born,” Schilling said. “It could bring great opportunities to Bismarck and North Dakota.”