An Interview with David Turnbull, the Mind Behind Denizen

As part of our Reviving 3rd Spaces series, we sat down with David Turnbull, the person behind the idea of Denizen, to discuss how the concept came to life and how coworking spaces like Denizen are shaping the future of work and community.

New to the series? Start here!

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From Startup Life to Rethinking Workspaces

David, what first inspired you to create Denizen?

It started almost by accident. Back in 2014, I co-founded a startup, and as we grew rapidly—from 8 to 100 people in two years—I started thinking a lot about how to keep teams happy and productive.

We were competing with companies like Google, Amazon, and HelloFresh to attract top talent, and it became clear that salary alone wasn’t enough. Our executive team started introducing small perks—breakfast once a week (which quickly became daily), package drop-offs for employees, Friday cinema nights, even weekly massages. It turned our office into something more than just a workplace; it became a service hub for the team.

One day, while sitting in a café near our office, I realized something: why should this experience be limited to a single company? If every company is trying to improve employee well-being in its own little way, why isn’t there a space that offers this to everyone?

Creating a Space That Works for Life, Not Just Work

So how did this idea evolve into what Denizen is today?

That was the moment when I started thinking about Denizen as a 3rd space—neither home nor traditional office, but a place where people can be productive and feel connected.

I started analyzing what people really need throughout their day. A lot of employees were improvising ways to balance work and personal life—getting changed in the bathroom after a spin class, queuing for overpriced coffee, struggling to find a comfortable workspace. I asked myself: Why can’t we create an environment that naturally supports all these needs?

That’s how Denizen was shaped—not just as a coworking space, but as a modern community hub. Instead of a traditional office, I imagined it a hotel lobby—a place designed for people to work, meet, socialize, and take care of themselves.

The Future of Work and Community Spaces

You’ve talked a lot about coworking as a 3rd space. How do you see this concept evolving?

I believe the office as we knew it is dead—but that doesn’t mean people don’t need places to work. Instead of being tied to one static location, people are looking for a network of flexible spaces that support different aspects of their work and life.

That’s why we’re expanding Denizen beyond Berlin, with new locations in Düsseldorf, Mannheim, and Mainz, and even experimenting with popup versions that can bring the same hospitality and community feel to new cities within weeks.

Denizen as a Platform for Community

One of the key aspects of Denizen is community. How can people get involved beyond just coworking?

That’s the most exciting part! Denizen isn’t just a space—it’s a platform for people to shape their own community. We already host events like art workshops, language clubs, and yoga classes, but we also want people to bring their own ideas.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, Denizen is about rethinking how we live and work. It’s about creating an environment where people can thrive—professionally and personally. We’d love to hear your ideas on how we can make the Denizen community even more accessible or support the events that matter to you. Want to host your own community gathering or workshop? Get in touch—we’re always looking for new ways to bring people together.

This interview marks the final chapter of our Reviving 3rd Spaces series, but the conversation doesn’t end here. The future of work and community is being built every day—and you’re invited to be part of it.

Have an event in mind? Contact your neighborhood manager to bring it to life at Denizen!

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