As a team of seven-architect friends (Gayathri, Shruthi, Sravan, Rachana, Prerana, Teja and Akshay) joined hands for Jxtapose, their pursuit to find a place that could function both as an event space and a co-working zone wasn't easy. Their hunt went on for a year, they'd changed two locations to finally zero in an old house on Road no 32, Jubilee Hills.
A residential area away from the road made for an inspiring backdrop for a young team's idea of a creative space focused on art and design. The lawns next to a steep pathway leading to the building transformed into an alternative event space. A homely setting fit their bill for a co-working space, which they wanted it to be anything but industrial.
Jxtapose welcomes you with a pet-friendly vibe as you see members bring along their canines to work. Milk crates transform into seating arrangements at the entrance which doubles up as a meetup space during weekends. The hues here are subtle, the open red-bricks on the walls make for an earthy backdrop. There's a conference room and a creative-studio in the works where members can use art as a stress-buster. The design gives liberty to those opting for private cabins.
Members also use the space beside the pantry to beat monotony. The founders say that occupying an old house and calling it their own has had its own plusses and minuses. They consider the existing teak wood, the open spaces, the flexibility of a balcony that was converted as a co-working unit, an advantage. Being architects by qualification helped their design-visualisation too.
There are three-workspace options for a member, ranging from hot seats, and assigned seats to a premium option, with facilities varying according to their pricing. The meeting and the conference rooms are also open to third-party users, a rarity in the co-working space sector. The wide range of professions of Jxtapose's members, from the marketing and the hospitality arenas to art, shoe-making, fashion, movie production and script writing, lend the working space a lot of visual diversity too. The open-ceiling, abundant collaborative space, smart use of natural light contribute to holistic appeal of Jxtapose. “We make sure our members don't come here for work alone, we ensure they interact, collaborate and enhance the creative flow in the space,” says Gayathri. From helping with their business databases to mentoring them when needed, team Jxtapose promises to be at their service.
The founders only had brief working stints with companies after college, but they are fully aware that the definition of an ideal working space changes from person to person. “What we wanted and still desire is a variety of professions among our members. At the end of the day, you would want a space that makes people feel fresh, help them begin work on a clean slate. Over time, we need to improvise and understand what works for people and what doesn't. We're learning and are open change,” the team adds.
This is a creative space that they had desired as students and as a token of encouragement, they're offering event spaces for student meetups free of cost.
Jxtapose Hyderabad
Where Plot no 587, Road no 32, Banjara Hills
What Creative space
Area 8000 square feet
Cost ₹6000 per seat, per month
