Case Study: How The STEM Lab Customised Kickstart’s Coworking Spaces for Educational Innovation

Coworking Solution for Every Enterprise

Over the last eight years, Kickstart’s coworking spaces have evolved significantly. Our diverse client base, ranging from freelancers and startups to service export firms, call centres, and established multinational corporations, has presented us with various workspace needs. We have actively tailored these spaces to meet each client's specific requirements, adjusting the number of desks, configuring executive rooms, adding special accessories, customising furniture layouts, integrating branding elements, and providing extra storage. In this case study, we aim to spotlight a particularly unique member of our coworking community whose specialised requirements showcase our coworking spaces' adaptability and broad applicability.

The STEM Lab: Conception and Journey?

The inception of The STEM Lab is rooted in a shared experience between the founders who, reflecting on their educational journey, recognised a major gap in foundational education in Pakistan. This realisation sparked an idea: why not introduce STEM subjects to children at a younger age in a more engaging and practical way?

Established in 2016, The STEM Lab was created with the mission to ignite a passion for STEM subjects among young learners. The founders started by organising after-school clubs across major schools in Lahore, focusing on hands-on, experiential learning. Making circuits, building robots, and conducting safe Laboratory experiments allowed children to connect theoretical knowledge with practical application, making learning fun and impactful.

This approach was met with enthusiasm from both students and parents, affirming the founders' belief in the effectiveness of early STEM education. Witnessing the positive response and growing demand, STEM Lab realised the need to expand their operations to reach more children. The year 2023 marked a significant milestone in their journey as they decided to establish their own space, moving beyond school clubs to a dedicated facility where they could scale their impact.

The STEM Lab’s Search for a Workspace

In their search for the ideal location, The STEM Lab had a set of unique requirements that differed from those of a typical business. Their primary concern was ensuring the safety and security of the children attending their classes, making it important to find a space where parents could feel at ease when leaving their children.?

Moreover, The STEM Lab was looking for a space beyond the conventional office layout. They wanted a place that could be transformed into a vibrant, engaging, and creative learning environment. This meant finding a location that was not only welcoming and warm but also flexible enough to allow for significant customisation. All these considerations had to be met within the constraints of a budget typical for a growing business

Kickstart's Custom Solutions for The STEM Lab's Educational Goals

Upon visiting Kickstart's M.M Alam, The STEM Lab recognised that the location matched their unique requirements. Recognising the value and societal benefit of Stem Lab's mission, we engaged in thoughtful discussions with the team. In light of Stem Lab's commendable objectives, we saw an opportunity to contribute to their journey. We decided to customise our space for The STEM Lab, understanding their specific needs diverged from conventional office requirements,?

The standard office setup was restructured to suit their unique operational needs; we halved the number of desks in the office and added ample storage space, accommodating the materials and equipment necessary for their hands-on teaching approach. Moreover, The STEM Lab had the freedom to personalise its office space. They introduced various child-friendly design elements, transforming the area into an inviting and stimulating environment for learning. This customisation not only served STEM Lab's specific functional needs but also added to the vibrant and diverse atmosphere of Kickstart.

The Ongoing Coworking Connection?

Our relationship with The STEM Lab has flourished into a strong, ongoing partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared value. Mehek Rashad, the Co-founder of STEM Lab, shares her experience at Kickstart, stating:

“The highlight for me is that everything is sorted - maintenance and utilities are taken care of, allowing us to come in and focus on our work. The environment here makes us want to come to work every day. The smiles and the warm welcome at the reception always set a positive tone for my day.”

A particularly cherished aspect of our relationship is the provision of daycare facilities, which has been appreciated by working parents like the team members at The STEM Lab. Knowing their children are close by, in a safe and nurturing environment, allows them to work with greater ease and focus. Ayesha Inam, the co-founder of STEM Lab, articulates this sentiment:?

“Having daycare on-site is a huge benefit. It means I can work in a supportive environment while knowing my baby is safe and well-cared for right here.”

Now STEM Lab plans to further expand its operations after receiving a lot of interest from parents in Islamabad and Karachi, Kickstart is located in both of these major cities, which can facilitate such expansion with ease. They're also planning to make their space in Lahore ten times bigger, creating a special area for their classes called a 'maker's space'. This space is not just for younger kids anymore; they're starting to include high school and college students as well.

Custom Solutions for Unique Businesses

Kickstart's journey with STEM Lab showcases how coworking can cater to the needs of diverse businesses through customisation. Kickstart’s coworking spaces are versatile environments that support innovative ventures beyond traditional office setups. This partnership highlights the essence of coworking at Kickstart: creating customised solutions that empower our members to succeed and grow.