Former ROOM executive Brian Chen has announced the launch of Pebble Spaces, targeting high-traffic public spaces like convention centers, airports, and transit hubs with private workspace amenities. The company uses a sponsor-funded model providing free private spaces to both users and venues, partnering with proven manufacturers rather than manufacturing directly, while integrating proprietary technology for user experience and sponsorship platforms.

ROOM, which pioneered soundproof office phone booths before being acquired in 2023, established modular private spaces as standard workplace amenities. Pebble Spaces plans to go live in several locations this fall after months of customer discovery and model development.

On the TWIC Podcast, Hector Kolonas sat down with Wesley Edmonds, the director of Workplace at OFS, to unravel the intricacies and innovations of the contract furniture industry, and discuss their recent ROOM acquisition.

OFS shared that they’ve acquired cubicle and phone booth company ROOM. The former has been on a bit of an M&A adventure of late, bringing ROOM into a group including Carolina, Bryan Ashley and Styline Logistics.

Why does this matter in coworking? Well phone booths and other modular meeting rooms are increasingly popular/useful in flex spaces. Maybe this will bring ROOM even further into the flex workspace world.