Zoku launches ‘writer-in-residence’ project to look at hybrid community

by: Felicity Cousins | November 6, 2024

FRANCE:  Zoku Paris is set to welcome its first “Writer-in-Residence” this week as part of a new project that will look at the meaning of “community” within a hotel setting.

From November 8th-10th, Paris-based journalist Matthew Parsons, who has written extensively about the intersection of business travel and hospitality, will investigate how Zoku’s hybrid hospitality supports both a sense of belonging and productivity for today’s professionals.

Parsons will interview residents, coworkers, staff, and visitors and look at how shared spaces foster a balanced environment for living, working and socialising.

He will also document how community events contribute to wellbeing and shape the overall experience.

Insights gained from the three-day project will be leveraged by Zoku to spot emerging trends and “elevate the guest experience”, offering a fresh perspective on how hybrid spaces impact on today’s mobile professionals.

Parsons said: “I’m excited to embark on this project with Zoku. The brand has positioned itself at the centre of this hybrid hospitality movement, where guests live, work and socialise under one roof. But what does ‘hybrid hospitality’ actually look and feel like? 

“I’m looking forward to hearing guests’ stories, to find out what today inspires and motivates remote workers, digital nomads, and travelling business professionals.” 

Zoku Paris opened in 2023 and is the group’s fourth location, following Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Vienna. The Paris hotel, located at 48 Avenue de la Porte de Clichy in the bustling 17th arrondissement, provides a community-centred environment supportive for work, relaxation, and social connection. 

Hans Meyer, co-founder & managing director at Zoku said: “At Zoku, we’re always seeking new ways to understand how people connect, collaborate, and thrive in shared spaces. The Writer-in-Residence project allows us to gain authentic insights into the lived experience of hybrid hospitality.”

The upcoming project is the latest in a series of research projects including the recent publication of a whitepaper, The Future of Work Needs Human Connection.

Image supplied