Grace Rodriguez asked on Google+ a few weeks ago: “Houston (and anyone else who’d like to weigh in): If you could create a coworking space from scratch, what would you want it to have – both features/amenities and community-wise – and how would you like it to function to support you as an entrepreneur/creative professional?”

The response has been incredible! (See below for some of the feedback we’ve received via G+.) As we develop the space for launch, we would love your feedback! Please leave your wishlist in the comments below.

If you want to be on the list for a special invitation to our “Beta” launch, please sign up here:

And in the meantime, to get a taste of what we’re working on, watch below or visit C2 Creative Potential. Thanks!

Catherine Maguire - This is probably too much of an ask, but…. could it possibly have a group of floating people who can be called upon for support as and when needed (within limits), a shared group (shared by the community and part of the community) who are capable of many things from simple things like overprinting to more adventurous things like bouncing ideas off?

Coy Davidson - The right building in the right location will be critical. I have seen them come and go in Houston over the years.

Catherine Maguire - Right, well if I’m thinking physical space for the moment then the ‘floating people’ could be taken on in numbers and skill level that reflect the needs of the ‘community’.

If everyone in the community was in a position like me, as in not needing someone full time or even long term part time, then each of the community members could contribute to those peoples wages.

So (just sketching here) if there were 10 ‘community’ members and 1 floating person and each member paid a blanket rate of one hour per day (the floating folk may spend more than one hour per day over a period of time with each member) then over a 35 hours week that person could float for 3.5 hours to each member. (Alternatively they could given proper timetabling go for 7 hours one week and nothing the next).

So each member could have the floating person for 3.5 hours a week for a one hour a day fee. Which would break down the cost problem for small business taking someone on. Collective employment. Think I’ve just coined a new phrase there.

As a small business person I can’t take on someone at a living wage. But I could pay an hour a day and receive 3.5 hours a week in return. (sounds mad doesn’t it, I’ll pay for 7 hours a week and take 3.5 of them)

10 community members each paying £10 per day = £100 per day for the floater
£100 x 5 days = £500 per week = £2000 per month before tax = full time wage.

3.5 hours per week if I organise myself properly would probably be all I would need a person for at the moment, but £35 per week isn’t a wage for anybody.

Bill Shirley - (I’m a great brain-stormer, problem solver, shoot holes in your idea – guy, if you’re hiring

I would like bicycle parking + shower/locker facilities. Not directly connected would be best. I don’t want to see (or be seen) sweaty, stinky people, but i want to get that way on the way there. Of course, adjacent to a gym would solve the problem – and you could likely get a group discount, and only those wanting it would have to pay for that part.

Catherine Maguire - ok, if you’re going barking mad, then maybe a 3D printer, not sure why yet, but it might prove useful for some ‘creative’ types (not me)

Catherine Maguire - Recording and editing would be useful for us. If we were in the right country never mind the right state. Bulk printing facility of some sort would be useful, one that’s clever and can fold etc. While you’re on the wish list, chuck in a creche , one that’s open to more than just the community.

Tim Raymond - It would be nice if you had an area for “road warriors” who just need to park their butts and work awhile (and have food, coffee, tea for sale). Maybe you’d offer this for a small fee; maybe it would be x-amount of time with the purchase of food or coffee. Coffee shops are fine; but I don’t like making/returning phone calls from there (rude to others and somewhat noisy — some places are so bad, it would sound like I am calling from a party or a bar). And, print places frown on food/coffee, so that would help (while it would be an extra stream of revenue, I understand it would add an extra licensing challenge). Also, if (as an outsider), I could find people who wish to collaborate on ideas (perhaps offer creative service/print and other design for hire) that would be great. I went to Costco today to return some calls I missed while meeting with a client on Richmond (no office location was close enough to get to the calls in time and I don’t take notes well while driving).

Javid Jamae - Focus on tech-workers (developers, designers, IT geeks)
Caves and Commons layout
Mid-Town or Galleria
Comfortable furniture
Coffee shop and inexpensive food near (or within) facility
Not “primitive” looking, like Caroline Collective (no offense to anyone)
Kitchen facility with good ventilation
Projectors / Screens
Game room

Javid Jamae - +Grace Rodriguez Ya, like ping-pong, foosball, pool, and a projector screen with game systems connected.

Javid Jamae - Add Handicap Accessible to the list

Coy Davidson - +Grace Rodriguez Inner Loop …I would say Midtown or Montrose area. I leased a building at 3815 Montrose that was a huge hit with the tech and design crowd. Its a building you would expect to see in Austin or San Francisco. It has some character but is very nice. If you get a chance go by it and walk inside. I so want to work on a project like it again.

Devlin Browning - So you go from concept to design to 3D mockup assuming at least one rental station is usable for both graphics and CAD. Then what? Have you thought of a laser guided CNC machine? Problem is you need someone to run it. Do you have a fabrication shop to partner with?

Javid Jamae - +Grace Rodriguez One more… whiteboards on every wall..

Kurt Stoll - I think you need separate areas for different purposes:
- Open table area for casual working and collaboration
- Open cubicle area for more focus (could be time-share or permanent/reserved)
- Small (or even very small) closed-off rooms for even more focus and ability to make private phone calls or even conference calls with minimal noise (could be time-share or permanent/reserved)
- Standard-sized Offices
- Conference Room (s)
- Large open area for large groups 100+ persons for big projections and presentations to support large tech/social groups in town
- Coffee Shop / Food (preferably physically a part of Coworking building). You could find a local vendor to lease it.

Javier Fadul - Just had to up+vote all of this! Great feedback everyone.
If you don’t have specific ideas, upvote the ones you like.

I nominate a lazer cutter and/or veggie and fruit garden, not in that order or priority.

Also if anyone wants to throw down on an EEG (http://www.emotiv.com/) I am down!

ray montalvo - I’ve often had this same dream for Los Angeles. It seems an expensive proposition though. I agree with the notion that there needs to be a section that is useful for transient patrons which offers limited advantages (food, rest, wi-fi, services) and then a “club” area for those needing more space, time, expensive services (conf. rooms, recording facilities, etc). Each of these areas should have a quiet area and a noisy area. Personally, I like the idea of a library where I can eat/drink. But sometimes I want a loud room with energy to feed off of.

Christopher Smith - Add my vote for foosball. Not enough of that being played in this town!

I think a 50-75 person sized meeting space, with functional, well-implemented projection and power/ethernet wifi in the seated area would be killer. Of course, a couple of small 6-10 person rooms would also be nice.

I would dig back through 37signal’s blog posts about their new office. They had some killer ideas for ‘quiet rooms’ and the way they set up their desk/work area.

PS: Put me on the list for your preview meetup if you have the space. I’d love to be involved if I can help.

Jacob Shiach - In regards a coworking space, I would have as few walls as possible, no permanent private offices but rentable desks, lots of natural lighting, noise dampening to keep noise levels down, rfid card access, fiber, fully networked, and of course team up with your local hackerspace to provide prototyping equipment like 3D printers and CNC cutters

Probably the only coworking space I ever got excited about was one at http://33flatbush.com and it wasn’t just cause it was a beautiful 7story building in brooklyn but because the people in the building were awesome. You had biologists(http://genspace.org), next to urban planners(http://www.youarethecity.com/), next to Activists(http://endowmentethics.org/). So the Who is far more important than what is in a coworking space.

Jeff Stark - +Grace Rodriguez – nice post and all great comments. I just read this post and getting caught up so forgive me. I am on the board of the University of Houston Graphic Design Alumni and I am also invloved with AIGA Houston. We had an AIGA committee meeting last week actually where this type of intivitive came up and sparked a lot of interest where we were throwing out similar ideas. The main focus was building an environment for the creative community in Houston – something we discussed was a coworking space. Along with a venue for workshops, inspirational speaker events, educational opportunties, exbihits, collaboration opportunities, networking events, a meeting space for local organizations like UHGAP, AIGA Houston, and others. Talked about getting other organizations involved like AIA, Meetup Groups, GrownUp Houston, Houston Social Media Breakfast, etc… I am wondering if there is some cross-over with your discussion and ours. I just forwarded this on to the presidents of UHGAP and AIGA Houston to get their thoughts. I am sure we would be intersted in the walk-through Friday and discussing more. Let me know your thoughts.

April Guzik - +Jeff Stark you nailed every bit on of our discussion. +Grace Rodriguez I am the President of AIGA Houston and would definitely like to discuss further along with Robin Parrish who is our Design Week Director. Please let us know when we could setup a private meeting. Thanks and look forward to meeting you!

Click here to RSVP: HoustonTXSW “Get **it Together!” Pre-SXSW Prep Workshop for Filmmakers, Musicians, Startups and Entrepreneurs

WHEN: Sunday, March 6, 1:30PM – 3:30PM
WHERE: Caroline Collective (4820 Caroline, Houston 77004)

The annual South By SouthWest conference in Austin is an opportunity for people in Film, Music, and Interactive industries from all over the world to meet each other, get in the know, and get known. While it’s a great opportunity, the real rewards only come with a little planning and promotion – and that can be a daunting task for individuals or small businesses. But you don’t have to tackle it alone!

If you’re going to SXSW this year, whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned veteran, a little conference strategy session and fine-tuning of your online presence before going will help prepare you to represent yourself well to all the influencers you’ll bump into. This Sunday, March 6, C2 Creative will host a public workshop for Houston filmmakers, musicians, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants a little help getting organized and prepared for the big event. From 1:30 AM to 3:30 PM, you can drop by and:

• * Get feedback on how to schedule your time and network effectively
• * Get help fine-tuning your pitch and promotional materials
• * Get a chance to meet and commune with other Houston SXSW-ers!

Pastries, coffee and wi-fi will be provided, but please feel free to BYOB or whatever will help jumpstart your brain. This valuable workshop is offered for free, courtesy of C2 Creative — any donations you’d like to make will support the C2 Creative Incubator Program and help develop more workshops like this that help creative professionals succeed.

Come ready to listen and take notes, and bring all your plans and promo materials with you. With only a week or so before SXSW, we’ll help you to polish your pitch ‘til it shines, so you can get the attention you deserve!

* If you’re presenting, screening, or performing at an official SXSW session or event, please leave it in the comments below so we can add you to our resource directory. Thanks!

Does your gingerbread yearn for a destiny in the annals of architectural history? Do you dream of pushing the structural limit of frosting and peppermint? Maybe you just enjoy playing with food? Well bring it on, because we’re having a build-off! Join ArCH and our partners, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, C2 Creative, and Houston Downtown District in Market Square Park for the 2nd Annual Gingerbread Build-off on December 11. Register your team today!

25 teams of up to five people each will compete in this year’s build-off. In addition to the coveted Grand Prix de Show, prizes will be given in categories including Best Architectural Icon, Tallest Standing Structure, Best Traditionally Themed, Best Non-Traditionally Themed, and Most Creative Interpretation of Materials. Gingerbread buildings will be judged by an independent panel of food, design, art, and architecture experts. Winners and select competitors will be featured in a one week exhibition at the Architecture Center Houston.

Team registration is $50 per team. The entrance fee includes an apron for each team member (maximum 5), a regulation sized foil-covered base, and basic gingerbread structural materials including: Four 8”x11” gingerbread sheets, graham crackers, frosting, red-hots, peppermint candies and canes, gumdrops, and toothpicks. Teams may bring their own gingerbread and extra edible materials for their design – NOTE: ALL MATERIALS MUST BE EDIBLE! Design preparation prior to competition day is encouraged, but all construction must take place at the event. Each team will be provided with an official set of rules prior to the event.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

WHAT: Second Annual Gingerbread Build-Off
WHERE: Market Square Park, Houston TX 77002
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010 – 10am to 3pm.
HOW much: $50 per team (5 people maximum per team)
* Winners on Exhibition at the ArCH! (315 Capitol, Houston 77002) *

“The Brain As Art” Workshop with Jacob Shiach
September 25, 2010 : 12pm-4pm
Caroline Collective
4820 Caroline

Build an EEG machine with a team of friends, then use the readouts of brainwave activity as a source of inspiration for creating art!

A marriage of science and art with a DIY mentality, this workshop aims to create content and inspiration for artwork through home-brewed EEG readouts. With a little instruction, Jacob Shiach will show your team how to build your very own EEG machine. Bring a team of friends to pool creativity!

Register early to ensure you have a spot in the workshop. The EEG workshop will be held on Saturday, September 25th. The final images will be exhibited after the workshop at the Caroline Collective on October 29th.

Register for Brain Art here: http://brainart.eventbrite.com

“Beyond the Print” Opening Reception
July 16, 2010 : 7pm-10pm
Caroline Collective
4820 Caroline

A blend of the traditional and experimental, “Beyond the Print” presents the work of the University of Houston’s Block 2010 Program students. This medley of artists begins with a foundation in traditional photography – exploring large format prints, experimenting with 35mm and digital processes – and then departs from the norm, quickly moving into installation and electronic means of presentation.

The themes range from broad societal issues to more introspective thoughts. Taken together, “Beyond the Print” creates not a dialogue with the viewer, but a symposium. Each artist imparts a distinct tone to lens-based image making.

“Beyond the Print” introduces us to eight emerging artists: Michael Burgas, Brittney Connelly, Osman Galindo, Vanessa Godden, Daniela Hernandez, Fatmeh Hmaidan, Gisela Parker, and Thais Verissimo. The show is curated by Shannon Duncan with the assistance of Ned Dodington, and Geoff Smith. “Beyond the Print” is sponsored by C2 Creative and hosted by Caroline Collective.

Come join us at Caroline Collective on February 27 from 6pm to 9pm for the opening of our newest art installation, titled Critically Caroline / Massive Collective. The event will be open to anybody who would like to come and, as always, refreshments will be served.

This show Artists Chuy Benitez, Kira Black, Oliver Bludworth, Matt Bower, Lindsay Burleson, Brittney Connelly, Claudia Cruz, Shannon Duncan, Osman Galindo, Christa Havican, Sarah Hazel, Corbin Hughes, Marian Ochoa, Smitty Regula, Kyle Silverstein, Nick Teel, Matt Tremble, and Ervin Valdez explore mediums including found object, photography, painting, video, drawing, and installation.

The show will be curated by Shannon Duncan, organized by Ned Dodington, and sponsored by C2 Creative, LLC. RSVP on Facebook here. The exhibition itself will be open from February 27 to March 18 and may be viewed during Caroline Collective’s regular business hours (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). You can also call the team at Caroline Collective at 832.429.6867 to see about scheduling a private showing if you can’t come during regular business hours.

The result, is a location-specific installation depicting multiple visions of one group. Each of these 21 blocks is photographed with Polaroid grid film, then installed linearly to recreate the street. This line then creates the datum, the foundation, from which other participants install their work – each on the appropriate side of the street.

Rarely is such a complete document of the living city captured so completely on film. Join us this January 8th at 6pm in celebrating this amazing testament to a vibrant community.

Caroline: A Collective Experience is curated by Shannon Duncan and Ned Dodington. The show is hosted by C2 Creative at Caroline Collective.

Artists include University of Houston instructor Shannon Duncan and Intermediate Photography students Brittney Connelly, Correy Crawford, Osman Galindo, Leah Hebert, Angelique Huber, Yanine King, Tenshi Lau, Shannon MacGregor, Gabe Pastrano, CJ Soukup, and Alejandra Trevino.

Caroline: A Collective Experience
Opening Reception: January 8th, 6pm
Caroline Collective, 4820 Caroline St. Houston Tx, 77004
Show runs through Feb. 19th 2010.

Ever wanted to make the most out of your gingerbread? Do you dream of pushing the structural limit of frosting and peppermint? Maybe you just enjoy playing with food? This December 19th, Caroline Collective and C2 Creative, in conjunction with the ArCH, will host the First Annual Gingerbread Build-off. Bring your kids, bring your ideas, and your sweet-tooth – we’re having a build-off!

What: First Annual Gingerbread Build-off
Where: Caroline Collective – 4820 Caroline St. Houston, TX 77004
When: Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009 – 10am to 2pm
Winners on Exhibition: Dec 21- 23, 9am – 5pm at the ArCH, 315 Capitol, 77002
How Much: 25$ per team (3 people maximum per team)
Register Starting December 9th: gingerbreadbuildoff.eventbrite.com

The Rules: The build-off will feature competition in three categories (Children, Adults, and Architecture/Design Professionals). Teams of up to three people will compete in their respective categories. Gingerbread Buildings will be judged by an independent panel of food, design, and architecture experts. Buildings will be evaluated for structural soundness, decorative quality, innovative use of materials, and overall design. The top three structures in each category will be shown at the Architecture Center Houston downtown following the competition.

The entrance fee will provide each team with access to a 2′x2′ foil-covered base and basic gingerbread structural materials, including: six 8″x10″ gingerbread sheets, graham crackers, frosting, red-hots, peppermint candies and canes, gumdrops, toothpicks, etc. Teams may bring their own gingerbread and/or extra edible materials for their design – NOTE: ALL EXTRA MATERIALS MUST BE EDIBLE! Formwork, adhesives, etc. cannot be incorporated into the design. Spectators will be allowed to watch for free. Heckling will cost ya.

Design preparation prior to competition day is encouraged! Sponsorships are available. Tickets may be purchased in advance through gingerbreadbuildoff.eventrbrite.com. Payments may be made via paypal. Please contact Ned Dodington at ned@carolinecollective.cc for questions and sponsor information. All proceeds go to C2 Creative – Houston’s non-profit incubator for the creative community.

(All teams are responsible for cleanup and recycling of materials after judging. If you break it, you eat it!)

Hosted by Caroline Collective & C2 Creative in association with the Architecture Center Houston (ArCH)

Over the past ten years, rock poster art has come out of the underground and into the forefront of people’s art collecting habits, perfectly complementing memorable shows. Over the next two months, we’ll showcase Houston’s contribution to the world of poster art with a retrospective of some of Houston’s great rock posters artists. Join us for the opening on Friday, November 20, from 7-9pm with music provided by D.L. of KTRU’s Vinyl Frontier.

WHAT: Houston Poster Art: 2000-2009 Opening

WHEN: November 20, 7-9pm

WHERE: Caroline Collective (4820 Caroline Street)

Houston’s recent musical landscape has been dominated by artists that defy classification. Innovation – often ahead of national trends – has mingled with the city’s overall aesthetic, collectively resulting in a vibrant and supportive community known for presenting new forms of expression evolved from the union of previously disparate styles.

Evolving in step with Houston’s diverse soundscape and drawing from its innovation is Houston’s ground-breaking poster culture. Perhaps unsurprisingly, some of the world’s most sought-after rock poster designers call Houston home. These figures, as well as the rising generation of artists expressing their passion for both art and music, are pushing the evolution of the unified art form, setting the standard locally, nationally, and internationally.

Houston Poster Art: 2000-2009 selects from the whole of locally significant concert art from the first decade of this century, presenting a number of different styles and techniques, which ultimately map the growth and progression of the art form in Houston over recent history. Although impressive by itself, taken from within the context of the greater Houston music scene, the exhibit offers a window into the collective subconscious which motivates local artists to create.

Houston Poster Art artists: Dann Miller, Rene Cruz, Tom So, Steve Sims, Shelby Hohl, Jeremy Osborn, Wesley Mitchell, Jason McElweenie, David Wang, Dan Castillo, Ben Godfrey, Lance Scott Walker, Flynn Prejan, Jacob Calle, Noel Martinez, Michael Rodriguez.

Musical Artists included: ::KAI/ROS::,30footfall,AM Syndicate,Amina,Animal,Antenna Inn,At The Drive In,Auf Der Maur,Balaclavas,Beans,Ben Kweller,Benjamin Wesley,Bill Callahan,Black Moth Super Rainbow,BLACKIE,Blades,Blue October,Bright Men Of Learning,Bring Back The Guns,Busdriver,Buxton,By The End Of Tonight,Carter Brown,Code Seven,Cooper Temple Clause,Copilot,Dana Falconberry,Danny And The Nightmares,Dave Dove,Dead P.A.,Death Cab For Cutie,Death From Afar,Decibully,Dizzy Pilot,Don Caballero,Dr. Knuckstable,Earlimart,El Orbits,Ellypseas,Engine Down,Explosions In The Sky,F For Fake,Fatal Flyin,Fishbone,Flowers To Hide,Focusyn,Fugazi,God’s Temple Of Family Deliverance,Guerilla Foco Clan,Head Automatica,Heavy Mojo,Interpol,J.W. Americana,Jana Hunter,Jawwaad Taylor,Jay Satellite,Joanna Newsom,Keith Rowe,Lisa’s Sons,Listenlisten,Longwave,Loren Connors,Los Ramones,Los Skarnales,Margot,Matthew Shipp Trio,Misfits,Mogwai,Mooney Suzuki,Murder City Devils,Muse,Natalie Stewart,Natives Of The New Dawn,No Cover,No Talk,Nosaprise,Octopus Project,Office,Papermoons,Parts And Labor,Pernice Brothers,Phosphorescent,Rachel Buchman,Radiohead,Red Meadow,Robert Ellis,Rockbox Djs,Sachiko M,Satin Hooks,Scott H. Biram,Sean Meehan,Serena Maneesh,Sew What,Sex Vid,Sharon Montgomery,Shit City High,Shonen Knife,Sigur Ros,Sister Morales,Smash Alley,Social Insects,Something Fierce,Spain Colored Orange,Sparklehorse,State Bird,Stereo Total,Substance,Sugar Shack,Supergrass,Swarm Of Angels,The 45s,The Blood Brothers,The Clouds Are Ghosts,The Cure,The Dimes,The Evangelicals,The Ex-Optimists,The Groceries,The Guilloteens,The Hangouts,The Jonbenet,The Jonx,The Kimonos,The Little Ones,The New Year,The Rapture,”The Snake, The Cross, The Crown”,The Strokes,The Theater Fire,The Tontons,The Walkmen,The Watermarks,The Wiggins,The X-Pats,Tortoise,Tricky,Voxtrot,Wayne Hancock,Wayside Drive,Woozyhelmet,Worlds Most Dangerous Band,Wovenhand,Yellow Fever,Young Mammals,Zydeco Dots

Join us in celebrating the work of Houston artists and the music scene they illuminate.

The curators would like to thank Texas Art Supply.

Music will be provided by D.L. of KTRU’s Vinyl Frontier.

Exhibition Dates: November 20 – January 1

Houston Rock Poster Art show is presented by C2 Creative and is curated by Philip Beck, Ian Wells, and Matthew Wettergreen.

Please join the C2 Creative community in opening their new show Hous(e)ton at Caroline Collective Friday, October 2nd from 7pm to 9pm. The show features work from local Houston photographers Shannon Duncan and Ben Desoto.

The works collected here from the talented Houston Artists Ben Desoto and Shannon Duncan speak about home, house, and Houston – home to us all. Each artist has chosen to explore the shadowy axioms of house, home and Houston. That’s not to say in a derogatory manner, but to say from the inverse.  Each of their subjects is shown without house, or home. Their work shows us the oft-overlooked side of our fair city. Shannon’s works painstakingly reveals the beauty in the everyday mundane detritus of urban life while Ben’s work forces us to confront the very human realties of homelessness. Each set however has an optimism that far outstrips the meager realities of the objects or people shown. Together each artist elevates the inverse, the shadows of our homes, houses and Houstonians to a place of touching poignancy. And together each photographer reminds us that every great image, and maybe every great story, starts with a negative.

Light refreshments will be provided.

C2 Creative and Ned Dodington, curator, makes this show possible, with the assistance of Shannon Duncan. For more information about the artists contact Shannon at sladunca@gmail.com and Ben at zendfoto@hotmail.com

Download pdf invitation here.