The effects of remote working on domestic and urban spaces highligh how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated workloads for carers, particularly women and “new carers” like single parents and reconstituted families. While coworking spaces often aim to balance work and personal life, they charge for services such as parenting and care spaces. The talk critiques how care is sometimes reduced to an exclusive marketing tool, citing the example of a coworking company, “The Wing”. Founded in 2016, The Wing initially aimed to create a supportive environment for women. It grew rapidly, opening 12 locations across the U.S. and London. However, its exclusionary policies, restricting access to women and non-binary individuals, led to controversies and accusations of gender and racial discrimination. Despite adopting more inclusive policies and leadership changes, the company closed in 2022, partly due to pandemic challenges.

The speak examines two notable locations of the company. The SoHo, New York site, opened in 2017, was designed with flexible spaces for work and care. Its 2018 expansion included a baby area with educators, divided into structured and informal play spaces. Similarly, the 2019 West Hollywood location added a nursery and featured an outdoor terrace to reflect the local identity.                           Both projects illustrate the importance of integrating care spaces into work environments while addressing gender-specific needs. They underscore the necessity for workplaces to accommodate daily life management while fostering a broader sense of inclusivity and well-being.

The presentation will be held on 23^rd January, room 16.C.03, Building 16C, Campus Leonardo, Politecnico di Milano, section 1C “DE&I, care and workspace”.