Is VR Worth Adding to Your Coworking Space? A Practical Look

VR can help a coworking space in a few narrow cases: remote meetings that need a shared 3D object, short training sessions, and design reviews. It is rarely worth buying for general use, so start with one clear use and one or two headsets before spending more.

What can VR actually do for a coworking space?

The useful uses are specific. Think of VR as a specialist room, like a podcast booth, and not as a replacement for the main floor.

• Meetings with remote members: A shared virtual room can work when people need to look at the same 3D model, floor plan or product. For ordinary status meetings, a video call is simpler and cheaper.
• Design and layout reviews: Architects, product designers and event planners can walk through a model at full scale.
• Practice and training: Members can rehearse a presentation or a difficult conversation in a simulated room.
• Onboarding: A remote member can look around the space before the first visit.

Should my space buy VR at all?

Ask three questions first:

1. Which members have asked for it, and for what task?
2. Could a screen-share, a shared whiteboard or a video call do the same job?
3. Who will set it up, clean it and fix it when it fails?

If you cannot name the members and the task, wait. Equipment that sits unused costs money and floor space.

What equipment and room do I need?

A headset, its controllers, and a computer or standalone unit that can run your chosen software. Check the maker's specifications for the exact requirements, since they differ between models.

The room matters as much as the headset. Users move around while they cannot see the room, so you need clear floor, no sharp furniture nearby and a way to keep other people from walking into them. A bookable room with a door suits this well. If you already rent out rooms, our post on hosting workshops in a coworking space has ideas for how to set up and book them.

Headsets that are shared between people also need a cleaning routine. Follow the maker's cleaning instructions, and offer disposable face covers if the manufacturer supports them.

Which software should I choose?

Choose the task first, then the software. Look for tools that:

• Run on the headsets you have, without a long setup.
• Let guests join without making an account for each one, if you plan to use it with clients.
• Work with the files members already use, such as 3D models or slide decks.
• Have clear privacy terms, because meetings may contain client information.

Test any software for a week with a few members before you commit to a subscription.

Will VR make some members sick?

Some people will feel unwell. Cybersickness is a recognised issue with symptoms such as nausea, dizziness and eye strain. A systematic review hosted on PubMed Central describes it as a common condition that limits VR use.

What you can do about it:

• Keep first sessions short and let members stop at any time.
• Pick applications where the user stays still or moves at their own pace.
• Provide a seat and water nearby.
• Tell members with health concerns to check with their doctor first, and check the age and health guidance published by the headset maker.

What does it cost, and how do I know it pays off?

Prices vary by model and change often, so get current quotes instead of relying on a number from an article. Count the headsets, accessories, software subscriptions, support time and the room it occupies.

Then decide how you will judge it. You could track how often the room is booked, whether you can charge an hourly rate, and whether members say it saved them a trip. If bookings stay low after a few months, stop adding equipment.

How do I support members who are new to it?

Put a one-page guide next to the headset: how to put it on, how to stop, and who to ask. Run a short orientation for new users. A shared headset is only useful if people are not afraid to try it.

VR also depends on a stable connection, especially for multi-user rooms. Check yours with our guide to fixing Wi-Fi problems for remote workers before you buy anything.

Are there other ways to use a specialist room?

If VR does not fit, a bookable room can still earn its place. For example, a creative room set up for filming or product photos serves a different group of members. See how coworking spaces can stand in for a photography studio for that approach.

What is the bottom line?

VR is a tool for particular jobs, not a goal in itself. Begin with a real request from members, run a small trial, watch for discomfort, and keep it only if people book it.