New Work Units -- Xindanwei

Translated as "New Work Unit", Xindanwei is not only about providing a working space, but is also working to create a dynamic creative community through a range of open events and inter-disciplinary collaborations. As they like to share, Xindanwei offers not only a workspace, but also a built-in network of creative professionals and entrepreneurs working in design, writing, architecture, visual arts, and more.



Just south of Yan'an Lu in Changning district at the IIInShanghai Hub, Xindanwei occupies the fourth floor in what was once a plastics factory. Encompassing over 280 square meters, there are various workstations, two fully stocked conference rooms, the usual tech supports and the staple coffee station. But where membership here stands apart is in the opportunities, exhibitions and salons that you get access to, the support you receive in your creative endeavors, an open house program to support those endeavors, and an environment that it's founders like to describe as "an incubator of knowledge sharing and innovation".



With four membership options -- Full-time, Part-time, Random and Contact -- their space aims for accessibility. Rates start from 10rmb per hour, to the full 2000rmb monthly membership, which includes 24-hour access using a scan of your fingerprint.





Social education financiers Qi Fang and green-action-takers GIGA have spoken at Xindanwei, and a quick scan of their online social network reveals social action entrepreneurs, animation artists, and linguists, on a burgeoning list of occupations. According to the founders, this mix is exactly where they see the innovative opportunities living.

Having already hosted events like Shanghai Bar Camp, Dorkbot, TED screenings and MIT Media Lab Scratch workshops. Xindanwei looks to offer all members the support of their network through hosting independent creative events at their space for utterly free. Co-founder Liu Yan spills, "we are not in shortage of people with good ideas, but we are in great shortage of: leads, channels, scale, impact and resources". It's this undercurrent of belief in collaboration, community and connection that's driving this space, with its already impressive working philosophy that has evolved since opening their doors just late last year.







Xindanwei's three founders are researchers, consultants, bloggers, programmers, artists and self-termed cultural entrepreneurs. Liu Yan has acted as a China-Europe cultural consultant linking SMEs and creative individuals, and has consulted on cross-cultural exhibitions like the Dutch Electronic Arts Festival (DEAF) and PICNIC, a networking/festival/conference event for creative types in various sectors. Chen Xu has developed projects fueling creative communities, through independent research and strategy at BOP Consulting London. Xu Wenkai, aka "aaajiao", is a prominent programmer, blogger, new media artist, and a proponent of free culture. He has created notable sites including eventstructure.com, and the Chinese version of art/design site we-make-money-not-art.







2010 is shaping up to be a big year for Xindanwei, with plans for an on-site open-source store, lists and lists of events, and a big linkup as the China outpost of The Hub International workspace network.

Here's to the new year ahead at Xindanwei's new work unit.

Xindanwei, 4/F, Bldg 4, IIInShanghai Hub, 727 Dinxi Road near Fahuazhen Road. Xindanwei.com.

Photos: 1, 4, and 5 by Liu Chen. 2, 3 and 6 by Luo Hao. 7 and 8 by Michele Travierso. 9, 10, and 11 by Anita Hawkins.