Blum Center for Developing Economies
News

How One Big Idea Led to an Innovative Co-working Solution

Christelle Rohaut, a master’s student at UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design, was inspired to address the lack of affordable and flexible workspaces in 2016. Observing crowded coffee shops and empty living rooms during her daily commute, she identified an opportunity to bridge the gap between isolation at home and expensive co-working spaces.
Blum Center
August 23, 2019
1 min

As a freelancer and a master’s degree student at UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design (M.C.P.), Christelle Rohaut found coffee shops too crowded, co-working spaces too expensive, and her own home too isolating. In 2016, on her daily commute home, she saw rows of overpacked coffee shops. 

“I also found it incredibly ironic that my living room was empty all day long,” said Rohaut.

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Host and Fellow Responsibilities

Host Organizations

  • Identify staff supervisor to manage I&E Climate Action Fellow
  • Submit fellowship description and tasks
  • Engage in the matching process
  • Mentor and advise students
  • Communicate with Berkeley program director and give feedback on the program.

Berkeley Program Director​

  • Communicate with host organizations, students, and other university departments to ensure smooth program operations

Student Fellows

  • Complete application and cohort activities
  • Communicate with staff and host organizations
  • Successfully complete assignments from host organization during summer practicum
  • Summarize and report summer experience activities post-fellowship