Craving a space where creativity thrives? Then step inside The Astbury. It is not just a building. It is a hub for the independent mind. The Astbury stands unassumingly on the side, a five-story building. It blends in with the street’s grey facade in Poblacion, Makati.
The Astbury is a private members club. It is a collective workspace, an event space, and a creative stage. It is also an idea hub, offering good food and coffee. Founder Matthew Morrison says it helps you breathe oxygen into your ideas.
Born from the pandemic’s challenges, The Astbury is a transformed concept. It comes from the founders of A Space, the pioneer co-working space in the Philippines. A Space started the movement back in 2011. Restrictions eased up and remote work became normal. This inspired Matt and his team. They opened The Astbury as a more open twist on the third space concept.
Unlike traditional co-working spaces, The Astbury surrounds itself with the nuances of the creative mind. It provides the different spaces, tools, and conversations needed to inspire and ignite ideas. Matthew explains it as a safe space. Here, you can find peace of mind and collaborators. You can take a moment to do things that are hard to do elsewhere.
Architect Jillian Aleisson Dela Cruz says The Astbury is both a physical and metaphysical space. It provides room for creative work and creative thinking. The environment and conditions impact the product created. The space psychology encourages exploration. It allows you to discover nooks and studios suited to your mood or focus. The design embraces creative inefficiencies. It avoids the cubicle mindset.
The Astbury also focuses on the entirety of the human being. It aids in sustaining the mind to get it free-flowing. The design supports a non-binary way of living, working, gathering, and growth.
The creative mind is restless and curious. It needs oxygen, acceptance, inspiration, and stimulation. The Astbury designs openness into its space. This encourages interaction. It adds activity to encourage different conversations. This breaks down barriers. The Astbury aims to create space for the creative mind to flourish.
The physical space of The Astbury is a feast for the eyes. Its functionality and collaborative energy differentiate it from other third spaces. The ground floor is where the community magic takes place. It has an open plan space that partners can transform for events. It includes a bar and kitchen. Members can order everything from coffee to alcoholic beverages. When it is not an event space, long tables offer a place to work. There is also a private conference room. Below the ground floor is The Astbury’s gallery. It has an open floor plan for workshops or art exhibits.
The upper levels have private offices, pantries, and open areas. Several tenants occupy the private rooms. The rooftop has greenery, a barbecue grill, and cozy seating. It can also transform into an event space.
COO Karen Gil-Velasco says The Astbury is a transformative experience. People walk in and change in some way. Working there allows for constant change and challenges.
The Astbury experience is more than just a space. It’s the people and the shared community. This makes it a creative club like no other. It’s a safe place to kickstart collaborations, explore curiosities, and chase wild ideas. As a member-only club, it offers discrete and mindful environment. There is no pitching or photo-bombing. The Astbury also has a library lounge. It offers coworking floors and private workspaces. A streaming or podcast studio is available. There is also an academy track for learning and growth. Social events and road trips are common. The Astbury provides affordable, hyper-local seasonal menus. A private chef offers custom cuisine. The Astbury embraces the independent culture. It shifts the status quo with fresh air and fresh thinking.
Ready to shift the status quo? The Astbury awaits, a vibrant ecosystem for the creative soul.