The Lab Berlin: How Smart Access Turns a Creative Hub into a “Smart Lab”

In the heart of Berlin-Kreuzberg, where filmmakers meet coders and podcasters exchange ideas with software developers, flexibility isn’t a luxury; it’s a real necessity.

At The Lab Berlin, a premium innovation coworking space for media and tech professionals, creativity doesn’t follow office hours, and thanks to Tapkey, neither does access.

More Than a Coworking Space

The Lab is not your typical coworking environment. It’s a dynamic ecosystem where media professionals, startups, and tech pioneers collaborate under one roof.

“We are a premium innovation coworking lab and a real ecosystem for people from media and tech — from podcasters to software developers,” explains Marcus Locher, Community & Location Manager at The Lab Berlin.

With around 50 regular users,  including members, startups, cleaning staff, and service providers, seamless access management is critical to daily operations.

The Challenge: Manual Key Management Was Holding Them Back

Before introducing Tapkey, access management at The Lab was fully analog.

Physical keys had to be duplicated regularly. Access was tracked manually. Administrative processes were time-consuming and prone to errors. Lost keys meant additional costs and potential security risks. For a modern coworking space in Berlin’s creative hub, this approach was no longer sustainable.

“The analog process was time-intensive, error-prone, and simply not up to date for a modern coworking space,” explains Marcus Locher.

The team knew it was time for a fully digital solution.

The Solution: Seamless Digital Access with Tapkey

Today, Tapkey electronic cylinders secure the entrance doors of The Lab. Members unlock via smartphone app or NFC tag, anytime around the clock.

But the real game changer is the integration with Spacebring, their coworking management platform.

Booking, contract signing, and access rights now work as one seamless workflow. A member signs up online, then access is granted automatically; no physical presence from the team is required.

“The possibility to conclude memberships online and grant access remotely makes our daily operations simpler, more digital, and simply contemporary,” so Marcus Locher.

This fully digital workflow allows The Lab to operate independently from office hours, a crucial advantage in the media industry.

The Impact: Efficiency First

For The Lab Berlin, the most immediate and tangible improvement has been efficiency. Manual key management is no longer part of daily operations: no duplicating keys, no tracking spreadsheets, no administrative back-and-forth.

Flexibility comes naturally with it. Members access the space independently and on their own schedule, without being tied to office hours. The result is a smooth, modern user experience that increases overall member satisfaction.

At the same time, security has improved significantly. Access rights can be assigned or revoked instantly, ensuring full control at all times. And since implementing Tapkey, the loss rate of physical keys has effectively dropped to zero: eliminating both replacement costs and security concerns.

“What used to be a constant cost and security factor is simply no longer an issue. The biggest metric for us is the gained peace of mind,” Locher explains.

A Small Detail That Changed Everything

One moment perfectly illustrates the transformation. Weekend visits to unlock the space for cleaning staff used to be part of the routine. Today, cleaners use Mobile Access and enter independently — even when no one from the team is on-site.  

“That’s our definition of modern, smart access management: it just runs in the background,” says Marcus. “No stress, no searching for keys, no emergency visits.  Just smart access.”

Tapkey hasn’t just optimized access; it has influenced how The Lab operates by decoupling access from physical presence and office hours, the coworking space has evolved into what Marcus calls a true “Smart Lab.”

The next step is already planned: expanding Tapkey throughout the entire office and studio areas to make keyless work the standard across the whole building.

Why The Lab Recommends Tapkey

For The Lab, reliability and integration capabilities were decisive. After testing another system in their studio area, the choice became clear.

“Tapkey convinced us with its reliability and seamless integration,” says Marcus Locher

Another important factor, too. European quality and data security. 

“We at The Lab Berlin rely on innovation, even at the door. The fact that Tapkey is a European solution developed and produced in Austria was a decisive criterion for us. In a digital world, this focus on European quality and data protection is a major trust factor.”

Smart Access for Modern Coworking Spaces

For coworking operators looking to reduce administrative workload, offer 24/7 flexibility, and deliver a modern member experience, The Lab’s story shows what’s possible.

Smart access doesn’t just open doors — it enables new business models.

And in a city like Berlin, where innovation never sleeps, that makes all the difference. 

Interview with Marcus Locher | Community & Location Manager at The Lab Berlin in Kreuzberg.

The Lab Berlin is a premium innovation coworking lab and a true ecosystem for media and tech professionals, from podcasters to software developers. “My goal is to ensure the tech in the background just works, so our members can keep their heads clear for their projects.”