L.L. Bean’s research indicates that Americans spend 95 percent of their time indoors, half of which are spent working. To alter that trend, L.L. Bean is creating the first-ever outdoor co-working space, with their new campaign, Be an Outsider at Work. Partnering with national co-working chain Industrious, they have developed pop-up outdoor workspaces across the country.
Photo: Industrious
L.L. Bean Is Opening the First-Ever Outdoor Co-Working Space
L.L. Bean launched a successful pilot of the program in Freeport, Maine earlier this month, which featured individual workstations, glass-walled, collaborative conference areas, outdoor meeting spaces, and group-cycling desks. The newest installation can be found in downtown Manhattan, with future spaces planned for Boston, Philadelphia, and Madison, WI.
In their motivational handbook, they suggest steps to increase your outdoor exposure during the workday, including taking meetings outdoors or going on brief walks. These small measures could help office workers become 300 percent more creative, 50 percent more productive, and 92 percent happier.
Leigh Stringer, author of The Healthy Workplace: How to Improve the Well-Being of Your Employees and Boost Your Company’s Bottom Line, wrote, “as humans, we have a preference to be in and among nature over man-made environments, so why not adopt the notion of working outside?”
L.L. Bean’s outdoor coworking spaces will be available from June 21st on a first-come, first-served basis, though you can book daily slots through Industrious. While New York City’s space is already open, Boston will open on July 10th, Philadelphia July 17th, and Madison on July 24th. 
H/T: Apartment Therapy