Open Plan, Boutique Feel: Why Our Shared Office Works at The Production Hub Newcastle

Open Plan, Boutique Feel: Why Our Shared Office Works at The Production Hub Newcastle

Open Plan, Boutique Feel: Why Our Shared Office Works at The Production Hub Newcastle

Open-plan offices often get a bad rap… too loud, too distracting, too impersonal.

But at The Production Hub in Newcastle, we’ve designed something different: a boutique-style, open-plan co-working studio that gives you space to focus, room to breathe, and a community to belong to. It’s not just where you work — it’s how you feel when you’re here.

1. Open Plan, But Cleverly Designed

The space is fully open — with no permanent internal walls (except for our soundproof meeting room) — but we’ve divided it using uniquely designed partitions, bookshelves, plants, and furniture, creating work zones and subtle boundaries.
You’re never boxed in. But you’re also never on display.
This is what we call “comfortable separation” — you get your zone without the claustrophobia of cubicles.

2. Boutique Size = Boutique Culture

We’ve capped our coworking studio at around 14 desks. That means no hot-desking chaos. No overcrowding. No noisy strangers.
You’ll get to know the people working near you — and you’ll feel the difference. There’s a rhythm, a respect, and a gentle hum of productivity that our members really value.
The Production Hub | Space to Work | Co-Working | Newcastle

3. Beautiful, Thoughtful Design

Think natural light, high ceilings, north-facing warmth, wooden features, green plants, and sophisticated pops of colour. We’ve designed the space to be both creative and calming, so you can stay energised without burning out.
This isn’t just somewhere to plug in your laptop. It’s an environment designed for people who love what they do.

4. It’s About Energy, Not Just Layout

Open-plan layouts can work beautifully — when the energy in the room is right. And that’s where our community comes in.
The Production Hub is home to creatives, freelancers, service providers, and remote workers — people who are independent but warm, experienced but humble, focused but collaborative.
It’s not about noise levels. It’s about shared values.

Founders Gavin Banks and Olivia Olley have built a shared office that works because it reflects the people in it. If you’ve struggled to find a coworking space that’s functional and feels good to be in, The Production Hub might just be what you’re looking for.

Come take a look

Book a tour and see how we’ve made open plan… actually work.

    The Production Hub | Space to Work | Gavin Banks | Olivia Olley
    Noise in a Coworking Office

    “Can I Talk at My Desk?” & Other Questions About Noise in Shared Offices

    Noise in a Coworking Office

    One of the most common questions we get from potential members at The Production Hub Newcastle is: “Can I take phone calls or Zoom meetings at my desk?”

    The short answer? Yes. Absolutely!

    This isn’t a silent library — it’s a shared professional space, and communication is part of the job. Still, we know noise can be a deal-breaker for some, so we’ve designed our coworking environment to strike a balance between collaboration and concentration.

    1. Conversations Are Welcome Here

    You’re a project manager. A client liaison. A creative collaborator. Of course you need to talk during your workday.
    At The Production Hub, we welcome phone calls and video meetings at your desk — it’s a natural part of working life.
    With that said, everyone here is considerate. We each keep our voices at a professional volume, and we know when to duck into the soundproof meeting room if a conversation needs privacy.

    2. The Space Absorbs Sound Naturally

    The office is broken into zones using bookshelves and recycled materials to partition workspaces. While it’s open-plan, these smart dividers create a sense of separation.
    On top of that, we play light music during the day — just enough to reduce any potential distractions while keeping the space feeling alive (and not awkwardly quiet).
    The vibe? Calm, friendly, and focused.

    3. If You Need Quiet, You’ve Got Options

    The office is broken into zones using bookshelves and recycled materials to partition workspaces. While it’s open-plan, these smart dividers create a sense of separation.
    But because we cap our space at 14 desks, it never feels overcrowded or chaotic.
    The key here is mutual respect — and that’s something everyone in the space naturally brings to the table.

    4. It’s Not a Share House — It’s a Professional Collective

    We’re not just a bunch of random people crammed into a room. We’re a curated community of professionals, freelancers, and creatives who understand how to share a space with purpose.

    And we’ve been doing it successfully for over 10 years. Everyone who works from The Production Hub knows:
    ✅ Be considerate.
    ✅ Be kind.
    ✅ Do great work — and let others do the same.

    You don’t have to tiptoe around your workday. The Production Hub is built for real working professionals, and that includes making calls, running meetings, and talking things out.
    It’s an office — but it’s also a community. And that balance makes all the difference.

    Come see it for yourself

    Book a tour today.

      Virtual Office | The Production Hub | Newcastle
      Learn about the unique culture and environment at The Production Hub Newcastle.

      The Production Hub Difference: How Our Newcastle Coworking Space Fuels Your Success

      Learn about the unique culture and environment at The Production Hub Newcastle.

      Discover how community, curated design, and thoughtful leadership create a thriving space for your business to flourish.

      In the bustling world of business, your environment can make all the difference. While the appeal of working from home is undeniable, there often comes a point where the benefits of convenience are outweighed by a subtle sense of isolation. That’s where a well-chosen coworking space in Newcastle steps in, offering not just a desk, but a fertile ground for growth and community connection.
      At The Production Hub Newcastle, we believe your workspace should be more than just functional; it should be an extension of your brand and a catalyst for your success. With over a decade of experience running this shared office, we’ve crafted an environment where businesses don’t just exist here – they thrive – because you thrive.
      At The Production Hub Newcastle, we believe your workspace should be more than just functional; it should be an extension of your brand and a catalyst for your success. With over a decade of experience running this shared office, we’ve crafted an environment where businesses don’t just exist here – they thrive – because you thrive.

      It’s All About the Community

      What truly sets our office apart is the people who work here. We are home to a diverse array of businesses and individuals, all drawn together by a common desire: to connect and work outside the confines of a home office. Whether you’re a freelancer, a small business owner, or part of a remote team, you’ll find yourself among highly skilled professionals who are passionate about what they do and enjoy personal connection while they do it.

      These aren’t just colleagues; they’re warm, caring, and interested individuals who understand the value of human connection. Those simple “hello” moments foster a sense of belonging and even spark new collaborations.

      A Space Designed for Your Success

      The physical environment at The Production Hub is thoughtfully designed to foster calm, productivity, and a sense of welcome. We understand that work demands a lot of energy, and your surroundings should support, not drain, that energy.
      • Aesthetic Harmony: Step inside and you’ll notice the deliberate blend of wooden features and colourful furniture. This unique aesthetic combines creativity and ancestry, pop culture and longevity – a visual reminder that your career journey is a blend of innovation and enduring wisdom. The presence of plants throughout the space adds a touch of natural tranquility, helping you feel connected to something larger than just your daily tasks.
      • Productivity Powerhouse: We hear it all the time: “I get more work done here in a day than I do at home.” The atmosphere is curated to minimise distractions and maximise focus, providing the ideal setting for deep work and client meetings.
      • Professional Client Meetings: Our meeting room is a significant advantage. Designed with business deals in mind, it also exudes a welcoming warmth, giving your client interactions an interesting edge. Best of all, it’s available at no extra charge for our permanent members, making it easy to host clients with confidence.
      At The Production Hub, we see our office as the perfect frame for your business. If your business were a picture, what kind of frame would you put it in? We’ve built a space designed to help your brand succeed, providing a supportive, inspiring, and connected environment.

      Contact us today to learn more.

      Discover how The Production Hub Newcastle can elevate your workday and frame your success.

        The Production Hub | Space to Work | Desk Hire | Hot Desk | Co-Working | Newcastle
        Newcastle co-working meeting room for hire

        The Meeting Room is an Extension of Your Business

        Newcastle co-working meeting room for hire

        When your client walks through the door, first impressions matter. Learn how The Production Hub’s private meeting room acts as a stylish and professional extension of your business and your brand

        When you walk into a room to meet a client, present a concept, or lead a team discussion — the space you occupy becomes part of your brand. At The Production Hub, Newcastle, our private meeting room has been intentionally designed to act as an extension of your business.
        This is not just four walls and a table. It’s a stylish, quiet, climate-controlled environment where colour, light, and acoustic design elevate your presence. Whether you’re pitching, negotiating, or planning, our office adds credibility and confidence to your client’s experience.

        Designed to Let You Shine

        • Minimal yet warm design: Clean lines and natural materials create a calm, focused atmosphere.

        • Acoustic panels for privacy: Ensures confidential conversations and clear audio for calls.

        • Designer chairs for style and energy: Comfortable and colourful seating keeps everyone engaged.

        • Presentation monitor, whiteboard, and fast Wi-Fi: Seamlessly present what you need to relay your ideas.

        • Just $60/hour, with no cancellation fees: Flexible terms that work for you.

        Let the Room Speak for You

        From career-changing pitch meetings to AGMs and team-building exercises, this room has consistently supported success. Designed by filmmakers, Gavin Banks, and Olivia Olley, every inch of this space helps you show up at your best.

        Booking Is Simple — Impact Is Real

        Reach out via our ENQUIRY form below. Gavin or Olivia will help you lock in your time and send all the info you need. Walk in with your vision — walk out with results.

          The Production Hub | Space to Work | Meeting Room Hire | Newcastle

          From 1 employee to 8 in under 6 months – A business success story.

          When Josh Doolan (creator of Mudbath online marketing) was looking for a desk to rent, he came across The Production Hub. Straight away he understood the vision of the space, and how it could help his business grow. The soundproof Meeting Room, Seminar Space and Workshop were all facilities he used to his businesses advantage.

          From day one Josh utilised every space on offer. He started off by holding a free online marketing seminar in the Seminar Space (which seats 30 and is available free for permanent desk renters). This was such a success, it led to many back-to-back meetings with prospective clients held in The Meeting Room. Once he’d won them over with his great ideas he brought them into the Workshop. There Josh got his clients engaged and up on their feet as he projected their websites on the Whiteboard Wall, drew his suggested changes, and brought his ideas to life. Josh wooed them all with the help of the beautiful space and its facilities.

          Three months later Mudbath employed another three staff members to deal with the growing workload. After recently landing a huge Government contract, the company once again had to take on MORE staff. This growth took Mudbath from one to eight employees in under six months!

          With Josh’s amazing drive and foresight to see the opportunity available at The Production Hub, he soon outgrew the space available to him. The Production Hub loved watching Josh use its facilities to his advantage and wishes him all the best at his next space!

          With Mudbath’s departure, the Pro Hub can now offer desks for rent. If you want The Production Hub to help your business grow, please contact us for more information.

           “Moving into The Production Hub enabled my business to grow at a rapid speed. I could not have impressed or motivated prospective clients as I did without use of The Pro Hub’s amazing facilities. Thank you for helping me grow my business guys!” – Josh Doolan. Mudbath.

          Get up! Sitting can kill you.

          Did you know most Australian adults sit for an average of nine hours a day? This is longer than the time most people spend sleeping. Even though evidence to support the fact that diabetes, certain cancers, heart disease and early death are the effects of sitting too long…we continue to do it.

          This supporting evidence isn’t a new revelation either. Bernardino Ramazzini first described the ill effects of too much sitting at work in the 1700s and advised people to break up sitting and stimulate blood flow.

          With technological advances and ergonomic experts, we are making sitting more comfortable and therefore more enticing. So what’s the solution?

          Luckily some savvy office workers are finally coming to terms with the fact that humans have evolved to stand. Many residents of the Pro Hub have taken a step towards better health with the purchasing of standing desks. Heard about them? They look like normal desks, but with the touch of a button they can raise and lower to whatever height you like.

          So, is it time for you to buy a standing desk? Let’s examine the evidence.

          There are the effects of sitting too long we can actually feel like: sore backs and necks. But it’s what you can’t feel or see that you may need to be concerned about. Canadian researcher Dr Peter Katzmarzyk, for instance, found that those who sat almost all of the time had nearly a one-third higher risk of early death than those who stood almost all of the time. Eek!

          University College London researcher Dr Emmanuel Stamatakis found similar results among women in the United Kingdom: those whose work involved mostly standing/walking about had a 32% lower risk of early death than those who worked in sitting jobs.

          And on the weight loss side, for the average adult, standing burns more calories and involves more muscular contraction than sitting.

          But it’s important to also note that prolonged standing can also have adverse health effects. Compared to sitting, when we stand, our hearts and circulatory systems work harder to maintain blood flow to the brain, because they are countering the effects of gravity. Standing still for long periods of time can lead to swelling, heaviness or cramping of the legs.

          Enforced standing has actually been used as an interrogation technique (though former US secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld couldn’t understand why it was only for four hours — he stood for eight to ten hours a day).

          So the perfect way to obtain the health benefits of standing and reduce the potential adverse effects is to alternate between sitting and standing. Stand up, sit less and move more. Spend half the day with your standing desk raised, the other half lower it so you can sit.

          Alternating between sitting and standing will increase muscular contractions, stimulating blood flow and result in more calories burnt and healthier blood sugar levels. Recent findings show that alternating between 30 minutes of sitting and standing can improve blood sugar levels after a meal.

          Now, if you’re leaning towards getting a standing desk but are concerned about your concentration and productivity, there’s some good news. Research shows task performance such as typing, reading and performing cognitive tests is largely unaffected by standing desks.

          Thomas Jefferson, Winston Churchill, Virginia Woolf, and Ernest Hemingway fought off the urge to sit with the aid of standing desks. It might be time for you to do the same, and alternate between sitting and standing.

          If you’re still not ready for a stand-up desk, these tips might help get you moving:

          • take regular breaks during long drives in the car
          • stand up on public transport
          • choose more active ways to hang out with friends (swap the cafe for a walk)
          • stand at the bar instead of sitting on the comfy couches
          • have standing meetings (they usually end faster)
          • stand up while on the phone

          Thinking Outside the Box: A Misguided Idea

          ‘Thinking outside the box”  or  “the square” are commonly used phrases in the creative world.  They are used to encourage individuals to think differently than they would normally and access a level of creativity that is normally not given a voice. Perhaps this catchphrase is not the right one to use? We came across this interesting article about the truth behind this universal, but flawed, catchphrase for creativity.

          __________________________________________________________________________________________

          Published by Drew Boyd in Inside the Box.   

          Although studying creativity is considered a legitimate scientific discipline nowadays, it is still a very young one. In the early 1970s, a psychologist named J. P. Guilford was one of the first academic researchers who dared to conduct a study of creativity. One of Guilford’s most famous studies was the nine-dot puzzle. He challenged research subjects to connect all nine dots using just four straight lines without lifting their pencils from the page. Today many people are familiar with this puzzle and its solution. In the 1970s, however, very few were even aware of its existence, even though it had been around for almost a century.

          If you have tried solving this puzzle, you can confirm that your first attempts usually involve sketching lines inside the imaginary square. The correct solution, however, requires you to draw lines that extend beyond the area defined by the dots.

          At the first stages, all the participants in Guilford’s original study censored their own thinking by limiting the possible solutions to those within the imaginary square (even those who eventually solved the puzzle). Even though they weren’t instructed to restrain themselves from considering such a solution, they were unable to “see” the white space beyond the square’s boundaries. Only 20 percent managed to break out of the illusory confinement and continue their lines in the white space surrounding the dots.

          The symmetry, the beautiful simplicity of the solution, and the fact that 80 percent of the participants were effectively blinded by the boundaries of the square led Guilford and the readers of his books to leap to the sweeping conclusion that creativity requires you to go outside the box. The idea went viral (via 1970s-era media and word of mouth, of course). Overnight, it seemed that creativity gurus everywhere were teaching managers how to think outside the box.

          Management consultants in the 1970s and 1980s even used this puzzle when making sales pitches to prospective clients. Because the solution is, in hindsight, deceptively simple, clients tended to admit they should have thought of it themselves. Because they hadn’t, they were obviously not as creative or smart as they had previously thought, and needed to call in creative experts. Or so their consultants would have them believe.

          The nine-dot puzzle and the phrase “thinking outside the box” became metaphors for creativity and spread like wildfire in marketing, management, psychology, the creative arts, engineering, and personal improvement circles. There seemed to be no end to the insights that could be offered under the banner of thinking outside the box. Speakers, trainers, training program developers, organizational consultants, and university professors all had much to say about the vast benefits of outside-the-box thinking. It was an appealing and apparently convincing message.

          Indeed, the concept enjoyed such strong popularity and intuitive appeal that no one bothered to check the facts. No one, that is, before two different research teams—Clarke Burnham with Kenneth Davis, and Joseph Alba with Robert Weisberg—ran another experiment using the same puzzle but a different research procedure.

          Both teams followed the same protocol of dividing participants into two groups. The first group was given the same instructions as the participants in Guilford’s experiment. The second group was told that the solution required the lines to be drawn outside the imaginary box bordering the dot array. In other words, the “trick” was revealed in advance. Would you like to guess the percentage of the participants in the second group who solved the puzzle correctly? Most people assume that 60 percent to 90 percent of the group given the clue would solve the puzzle easily. In fact, only a meager 25 percent did.

          What’s more, in statistical terms, this 5 percent improvement over the subjects of Guilford’s original study is insignificant. In other words, the difference could easily be due to what statisticians call sampling error.

          Let’s look a little more closely at these surprising results. Solving this problem requires people to literally think outside the box. Yet participants’ performance was not improved even when they were given specific instructions to do so. That is, direct and explicit instructions to think outside the box did not help.

          That this advice is useless when actually trying to solve a problem involving a real box should effectively have killed off the much widely disseminated—and therefore, much more dangerous—metaphor that out-of-the-box thinking spurs creativity. After all, with one simple yet brilliant experiment, researchers had proven that the conceptual link between thinking outside the box and creativity was a myth.

          Of course, in real life you won’t find boxes. But you will find numerous situations where a creative breakthrough is staring you in the face. They are much more common than you probably think.

          WodBoss changing the way gyms work

           

          Q: What do you get if you team up a User Interface Designer with a Developer?

          A: The perfect team to create a gym App called ‘WodBoss’ of course!

           

          Ryan Stuart and Karl Bowden are the creators of an App specifically developed for CrossFit gym owners and their members. WodBoss began about nine months ago. It is the first project the guys have worked on together, only knowing each other for three months prior to starting.

          As freelancers Ryan and Karl first met at The Roost Creative and have recently moved into The Production Hub to knuckle down and work on their app development company, Featherweight Labs.

          The WodBoss app is specifically designed for CrossFit gyms. CrossFit is primarily a fitness regimen developed by Coach Greg Glassman over several decades. It is also the community that spontaneously arises when people do these workouts together. In fact, the communal aspect of CrossFit is a key component of why it’s so effective. It is practiced by members of over 10,000 affiliated gyms around the world, and by individuals who complete daily workouts (otherwise known as a “WOD” or “workout of the day).

          WodBoss will be a useful tool for gym owners to manage their gyms. It will allow them to manage memberships, rosters, workouts, classes, payments and competitions – something that does not exist in the industry at this stage.

          Although the App is aimed mainly at CrossFit gym owners, it will also be very useful to its members. The App will allow members to track their progress and measure it against others on the leader boards in every class they attend.

          Although both Ryan and Karl love working with their clients, the freedom of developing their own project with their own rules is rewarding on a whole other level. The guys have had fun working on this new tool and their goal is to one-day adapt the software and make it available to different industries like yoga or even day care centres.

           

          To contact the guys please email:  [email protected]

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

          7 reasons why you should work in a co-working space

          Since opening up The Production Hub we have seen many benefits to being a part of a co-working, multi-purpose facility. If you are working from a standard office (or local coffee shop) check out seven reasons you should change to a co-working space.

          1. No Guilt

          Hourly coffee purchases might be the best way to avoid glares from café employees during your eight-hour work-day at one of their tables; but at The Pro Hub you don’t have to feel guilty about, well, working. Here you can plug in your laptop and take that phone call without the glare of any annoyed waitresses. And by having coffee only one time a day rather than eight – you sleep better at night – it’s win-win all round!

          2. Meet Potential Clients – Network Without Trying

          What does property development, creative industry legal advice, online education and a CrossFit app have in common? The Production Hub of course!

          We have experts from a range of businesses all working together under one roof – our various clients and connections are opening doors to clients we would never come across. Plus as small business owners we have support from each other to de-brief, refine and excel.

          3. The Ideal Office Set Up

          The perfect desk set up is essential for a productive day’s work. At The Pro Hub you can work all day and leave your stuff on your desk without the risk of your two year-old creating a masterpiece on your documents. No packing up needed at the end of the day, or when the staff turns the sign on the door to CLOSED. Leave everything as you like and pick up where you left off in the morning.

          Get out of the house and out of your pjs! By getting dressed and out of the house you will feel more motivated and therefore more productive with your time.

          There are no distractions of household chores at The Pro Hub either, your only distractions will be more important things like youtube and facebook posts.

          4. The Water Cooler Community

          While we may not have a water cooler, we do have sanity-preserving chit-chats around the kitchen and couches of The Pro Hub. Plus, we’re in the centre of town so all the best places to go for lunch and coffee are just around the corner. So why not take the water cooler convo across the road to The Lucky Hotel, or around the corner for a game of virtual golf at the end of a hard day’s work?

          5. Legitimate Meeting Space

          Although you might be comfortable working from your tiny apartment kitchen/lounge room, it’s hardly a place that you’d like to invite clients. Belonging to a co-working space like The Pro Hub includes access to the meeting room and Workshop, which can lend some credibility to your business meetings.

          The Pro Hub has a funky soundproof meeting room for six. The workshop boasts a projector and 9m long whiteboard wall. The window-partition on wheels remodels the space into a small function & presentation center catering for up to 30 people. Try pulling that off in your kitchen!

          6. Pick Your Niche

          You may be the sole employee of your company, but with co-working, you can still enjoy the benefits of being surrounded by people who are doing similar work. Who better to brainstorm an idea with than somebody who knows what you are on about!?!

          7. Learn Something

          Most co-working spaces host events and seminars that appeal to their members. At The Pro Hub, for instance, we offer regular Pro Hub Talks with inspiring individuals and play host to seminars and staff training days for other companies. Our workshop and meeting rooms are available for rental. It is great to have new energy renting the space on a regular basis, we love new ideas in The Pro Hub.

          Not convinced yet? Contact us for a tour at [email protected]

          Hub Talks – First Event

          The time has come for The Production Hub to host it’s first Hub Talks event.

          Hub Talks is a series of inspirational discussions with one thing in common – Newcastle. Our city is home to a great range of experts. Some are locally renowned, others, internationally.
          At The Production Hub we believe that diversity begets knowledge and knowledge begets greatness. So let’s share our knowledge! Let’s bring experts and practitioners from all industries together and see what opportunities and inspirations can come from being connected.

          Our fist event is Thursday May 22 6:30pm – 7:30pm 4 Crown St, Newcastle.

          More details, including guest speaker will be announced soon.