Co-living
Studies have concluded coliving enables a more sustainable lifestyle due to shared resources, allowing each individual to consume less energy, water, and space.
History
Sometime between 1933 and 1934, shared living space was designed in north London called '
Isokon', which was established by Wells Coats. It offered similar amenities, such as a shared communal space, workspace, and things such as a laundry area.
It was seen as a part of a greater effort during the intra-war period between World War I and World War II by the Modern Architectural Research Group (MARS) to advance modernist discourse in Britain.
Another effort to do this idea was in 1937 by Maxwell Fry (a founding member of MARS) and Elizabeth Denby and was called Kensal House.
Co-living spaces began to emerge in part due to rising property prices.
Usage
Co-living appeals particularly to millennials due to rising property prices.
Residents of co-living spaces in Singapore typically range between the ages of 19 and 40 years. They are typically employees of startups, entrepreneurs, or students.
High student loan costs are also a factor.
From 2005 to 2015, there was a 39% increase for millennials living with housemates.
The rise in co-living and similar housing was also impacted by the 2008 financial crisis.
Impact
Co-living has grown in popularity in cities such as New York City and
London.
A
Bloomberg News article cited "adult dorms" such as co-living facilities as one of the "eight social trends told us about America's economy in 2018."
Hotelier
Ian Schrager claimed that co-living spaces were "blurring the distinction between residential and hotels" due in part to differing sensibilities between millennials and previous generations.
