Designing Spaces with Purpose: The Design Philosophy Behind Neighbourgood’s Spaces
Meet Kim Clark: Co-Founder and Head of Brand
The seeds of Neighbourgood were planted in July 2020, just a few months after the COVID-19 crisis turned our world upside down. Like many others, Kim—one of Neighbourgood's co-founders and the Head of Brand—found herself reflecting deeply on life, work, and purpose. After years of independent freelance design work, she craved deeper connection and realised that countless others were seeking the same in this post-pandemic landscape.
Kim was ready for a new challenge—one that would not only stretch her creative skills, but also feel profoundly meaningful. And so, along with her co-founders Murray Clark and St John Gardner, Neighbourgood was born, with the mission of building a new way of living and working—one centred around community, flexibility, and inspiration.
In her role as Head of Brand, Kim is the creative behind the brand—ensuring both the online and physical brand meets the Neighbourgood brand standards. Being a next-generation property development and management company means that the physical spaces need to be innovative, inspiring and push the boundaries, and this is something Kim strives to do with each property that is added to the portfolio.
Functional Design: Where Form Meets Purpose
What inspired the unique design of Neighbourgood’s spaces, from work to living?
Our inspiration comes from a deep belief in the power of diversity, community and connection. We wanted to create spaces that foster collaboration, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging. We worked with global trends in co-living and co-working, but always through the lens of Cape Town's vibrant culture and lifestyle. We're inspired by the natural beauty of the city, the energy of its people, and the need for flexible, modern living and working solutions. We want each of our spaces to be a reflection of the dynamic individuals who call Neighbourgood home, whether it’s for one night or a year. Each Neighbourgood property is inspired by the neighbourhood it’s situated in, which makes them all unique but tied together with a common thread.
How do you balance aesthetics and functionality to create environments that feel both inspiring and practical?
For us, it's about understanding that form follows function, but beautifully. We work with really incredible interior design and architecture teams to bring our vision for each project to life. We start with the practical needs of a member or guest: comfortable workspaces, reliable Wi-Fi, functional kitchens, and then we layer in the aesthetics. We use natural materials, warm colours, and thoughtful lighting to create an inviting atmosphere. It’s about finding that sweet spot where a space is both visually stimulating and highly usable.
What elements make Neighbourgood’s spaces ideal for entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and long-term members?
Flexibility is key. We offer a variety of spaces to suit different needs, from quiet focus zones for deep work to collaborative meeting rooms for meetings and brainstorming. For professionals and remote workers, reliable high-speed internet is non-negotiable, and we've invested heavily in that. For long-term members, we focus on creating a sense of home, with comfortable furnishings, communal spaces for socialising and co-working and a strong sense of community. We also think about the little things - convenient power outlets, ample storage, and spaces for personal expression.
Thoughtful Design Choices
Can you share the thought process behind the choice of materials, colours, and overall atmosphere?
We gravitate towards natural hues to bring warmth and texture to our spaces. Our colour palettes are generally neutral with pops of colour inspired by the Cape Town landscape and the unique neighourhood the property is situated in. We aim for a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, so we avoid anything too stark or clinical. Lighting is also crucial - we maximise natural light wherever possible and use warm, ambient lighting to create a cosy feel. The interiors in our common spaces gravitate towards warmer, brighter colour palettes which are inviting and inspiring, and then moving towards softer, more muted hues in our rooms and apartments for a cosy, relaxing atmosphere.
How do you ensure each workspace feels inviting, warm, and community-driven while still being productivity-focused?
It's a delicate balance. We achieve this by creating distinct zones within our spaces. There are quiet areas for focused work, collaborative zones for team work, and social spaces for relaxation and connection. We also incorporate elements like comfortable seating, plants, and art to create a welcoming atmosphere. We believe that a happy, comfortable environment is a productive environment.
What role does natural light and biophilic design play in Neighbourgood’s philosophy?
Natural light is essential - it boosts mood, productivity, and overall well-being. We maximise natural light in all our spaces as much as we possibly can, and incorporate biophilic design principles by bringing the outdoors in. We use plants, natural materials, and nature-inspired artwork to create a connection to the natural world. It’s not always possible to maintain plants in our spaces, and in this case, we will use faux plants in order to create beautiful, natural effects without the maintenance.
Designing for Remote Work
How do the needs of a remote worker influence the layout of Neighbourgood workspaces?
Remote workers need flexibility, reliable technology, and a sense of community. We offer a variety of workspace options, from private offices to hot desks, to accommodate different work styles. We also ensure that all our workspaces have comfortable seating, ample power outlets, and fast, reliable Wi-Fi. Beyond the practicalities, we understand the importance of connection for remote workers, so we design our spaces to encourage interaction and collaboration with a variety of common spaces available.
What’s your favourite feature in any of the Neighbourgood spaces, and why?
That’s a tough one! There are so many features in our spaces that I’m proud of and just like it’s hard to choose a favourite child, it’s hard to choose a favourite of all of our spaces as they each have something really unique about them. Here are a few that really stand out to me;
Entrance to Neighbourgood De Wet, Franschhoek - Franschhoek was originally founded by French Huguenots back in 1688 and our inspiration for this entrance was from French style and design. Below the transparent roof above hangs a ceiling of plants that lead you through the passage.
Reception area at Neighbourgood Cape Quarter Workspace, De Waterkant - The stone and wood reception desk has a beautifully rounded edge, which compliments the rounded shapes painted onto the walls, with a soft, sheer curtain to add softness.
Reception at Neighbourgood Newlands, Newlands - This building has deep roots with the Deaf Federation of SA, and we wanted to pay homage to this by creating a bright mural behind the reception that includes a subtle nod to sign language.
Creating Community Through Design
How do you create a sense of community through design?
It's about creating spaces that encourage interaction. Communal areas, shared kitchens, and comfortable lounges are key. We also think about the flow of the space, ensuring that it's easy for people to bump into each other and strike up conversations. Beyond the physical design, we also host community events and activities in our spaces, encouraging connection and collaboration.
What’s one design challenge you faced in a particular space, and how did you overcome it?
One challenge we faced was in a space with limited natural light. We overcame this by using strategically placed mirrors to amplify the existing light and incorporating warm, artificial lighting to create a bright and inviting atmosphere. We also added lots of plants to bring a touch of nature indoors.
When a space is added to the Neighbourgood portfolio, where do you start? Each one feels distinct, but is there a connecting thread that ties them all together?
We start by understanding the unique character of the building and the surrounding neighbourhood. We then consider the needs of our target audience for that particular property and how we can create a space that reflects their needs and lifestyle. Combining those together creates a great foundation for us to work from. While each space is distinct, the connecting thread is our commitment to community, flexibility, and creating spaces that inspire. We always ask ourselves, "Does this space feel like Neighbourgood?".
How do you approach a refurbishment of properties like Neighbourgood Newlands or Neighbourgood East City that were once established hotels? What's the process of blending Neighbourgood's vision with an existing property's character?
Refurbishing a hotel requires a balance of respecting the existing character of the building while also infusing it with the Neighbourgood DNA. We start by identifying the key architectural features, and the needs of our Neighbourgood guest and incorporating them into our design. Our hybrid model is very different to traditional hotels, and because of this, we often have to do quite significant renovations to the reception and common spaces. We then layer in our signature style - natural materials, warm colours, beautiful artwork and comfortable furnishings - to create a space that feels both familiar and fresh. It's about honouring the building while creating a space that's relevant for today's traveller.
The Future of Neighbourgood Design
Neighbourgood's vision continues to evolve, guided by our core principles of fostering connection, embracing flexibility, and thoughtful design. With each new space we create, we strive to push the boundaries of what co-living and co-working can be, ensuring our members always feel a sense of home, no matter where their journey takes them.
