From Communes to Co-living

Building Community in Shared Living Spaces

A Brief History of Shared Living

When we think of communal living, we often look back to the era of the commune in the 1960s and 70s, when hippies were having their heyday and communal living was another step towards taking down ‘The Establishment.’

However, architect competition provider Buildner reminds us that, ‘Communal living can be traced back to the earliest days of human cohabitation.’  Our hunter-gatherer ancestors lived in groups, working together and sharing both the load and the fruits of their labour. 

As Buildner highlights, ‘While there was little architecture to speak of, communal living – the act of the tribe sharing resources equally – is something that predates even the written word.’  In fact, this has been the predominant means of accommodation for most of our living history.

For most of the Middle Ages, European households were more like communal hubs than private homes, with extended family, friends, and even townspeople living together – far from the single-family model we know today.  ‘It wasn’t until the 1800s that divisions were drawn between who would live with whom,’ explains Buildner, which means the modern household only really took shape in the 19th century, as industrialisation phased out the need for tight-knit, multi-generational living.

Now, despite the prevalence of single-family homes, we are seeing a shift towards communal living once more.  This time, the rising popularity for communal living situations arguably stems less from political activism, but more likely from a desire to belong to a wider sense of community.

In this blog, we will explore the various forms of shared living accommodation being enjoyed by residents today; gain some insight into why this option is appealing to so many of today’s home seekers; and delve into what housing providers should be focusing on to succeed in this growing market.

Co-living and the Modern Workforce

The term ‘co-living’ has become popular in housing-related discourse in recent years and describes purpose-built accommodation that houses multiple households with varying proportions of shared facilities included, such as communal lounges and kitchens, workspaces, gyms and outdoor spaces.  ‘Typically seen as student accommodation for young professionals, the model is evolving and, potentially, could meet the housing needs of a wider demographic,’ argues Ben Walker for the Hospitality Investor.  But why is it popular?  Walker posits that, ‘The appeal of co-living to tenants centres around flexible housing (leases typically run from three to 12 months) and social interaction.’  This desire for social interaction is understandable in our digital world, where remote working and online communication can often form the sum of our interactions on a daily basis, creating an existence lacking in physical human contact. 

Co-housing and Co-operatives

Co-housing and housing cooperatives are intentional communities where residents share common spaces and responsibilities but maintain their private living areas.  These setups are popular because they provide affordable housing, reduce isolation, and encourage collaboration.  

According to UK Cohousing, ‘Cohousing started to develop in the UK at the end of the 1990s.  The movement has gradually built-up momentum and there are now 11 new build and around 20 retrofit cohousing communities.’  These range from all-inclusive developments to those targeting specific age groups, like over 50s, particular interest groups, such as LGBTQ residents, or single demographics, like women-only developments.

Co-operatives, however, were designed to meet a different need.  ‘Alongside the 1970s dash to communes in the country there was also a huge urban squatting movement,’ explains Diggers and Dreamers.  ‘Over time this evolved into a substantial network of housing co-ops that involve greater or lesser degrees of sharing.  The movement continues to grow with the modern development of student housing co-ops.’

Both types of developments can range in size, normally housing anywhere between 10 and 40 households but regardless of their numbers, they both foster close-knit relationships between residents, with shared decision-making and a strong sense of community where people support one another in daily life.

Mansions and Social Media Stars

TikTok houses, or content creator houses, are shared living spaces where influencers collaborate to boost their reach and create viral content.  ‘The purpose of a content house is so members can tag each other in their content, expanding their audience and playing off one another's popularity to gain more popularity on their chosen platforms,’ explains The Influencer Marketing Hub. 

These houses, often backed by brands or self-funded, provide high-end amenities and production setups to enhance content creation.  They range from long-term residences, like the Wave House, which according to the Daily Mail was a £5 million UK-based mansion sponsored by Yoke Network, to short-term collab spaces where creators temporarily stay to produce content.  Notable UK creator houses include ByteHouse, which on its announced opening, the BBC hailed as: ‘The first ever UK TikTok house (to have been) created;’ Icon House, which according to The Telegraph was ‘Opened [in 2020] by Elad Panker, a 26-year-old Israeli businessman.  His company receives all the money earned by residents from their days spent posting selfies and viral video clips.  In return, he gives them a cut of the proceeds from sponsorship deals, arranges advertising tie-ups – and pays their rent;’ and The Honey House UK, which is a less mainstream, more lifestyle-focused creator house used by UK influencers, gaining traction on TikTok.  Many of these creator houses disband due to financial struggles or shifting social media trends.  Despite challenges, however, these spaces remain a powerful tool for influencer marketing and audience growth, often including a range of luxury features that add the wow factor to the content they’re used in.

Eco-villages and Sustainable Communities

Eco-villages and sustainable communities are designed to promote environmentally friendly living, often emphasising renewable energy, organic farming, and minimal waste.  As The Global Ecovillage Network explains, ‘Because each ecovillage is designed by the people who live there, according to their vision, context, culture and interests, no two are alike.’  These living situations are popular among those seeking a lifestyle that aligns with their ecological values, and can be tailored accordingly, while fostering deeper social connections.  By working together to maintain sustainable practices of their choice, residents create a strong community built on shared responsibility and a joint commitment to a healthier planet.

Shared Spaces and Community Building

Shared spaces, such as communal gardens, co-working hubs, gyms, screening rooms and outdoor spaces help encourage interaction and collaboration among diverse groups of people living in the same neighbourhood.  These spaces are especially popular in Build-to-Rent development because they combat social isolation and create opportunities for people to connect through shared interests and activities.  By bringing people together, they help foster friendships, strengthen local networks, and build a greater sense of belonging for their residents, which is proving to be a stronger and stronger selling point when trying to secure tenancies for these homes.  As Trowers and Hamlins explains, ‘A key selling point of BTR (Build-to-Rent) is the communal spaces it offers occupants; spaces such as roof-terraces, gardens, gyms and offices.  This makes BTR a top candidate for "co-locating" or "integrated living" whereby two or more sectors are combined into one development to share facilities.’

Why is Demand for Co-living and Shared Living Spaces Increasing?

Co-living is gaining popularity as it offers flexible, affordable, and community-oriented housing solutions, especially in urban areas where traditional housing can often be expensive.  Residents typically enjoy private living spaces alongside shared common areas and amenities, which gives them both independence as well as a chance for social interaction and a sense of belonging.  Additionally, shared areas are typically maintained by the manager of the development, meaning residents can enjoy these facilities without incurring the cost or effort of maintaining them, arguably saving both time and money.

This model appeals to a diverse range of individuals, including young professionals, digital nomads, and retirees, who value both their privacy and the opportunity for community engagement, as Green Ocean Property Management Company explains, ‘Co-living spaces are purpose-built and designed to foster connection between residents through shared social events and activities.’

The growth of co-living is driven by several factors, including affordability, flexibility (through flexible lease terms), and a strong focus on community.  As urbanisation continues and housing demands evolve, co-living presents a viable alternative to traditional accommodation that aligns with modern preferences for convenience, community, and cost-effectiveness.

What Do Homebuilders Need To Consider When Creating Co-living Developments?

The pervading theme running throughout the various cohabiting living options seems to be residents seeking a sense of community and belonging.  Whether that community stems from serving a shared purpose, such as bringing down ‘The Man’ by the hippie commune, the quest for a sustainable lifestyle by the eco-village, the social interactions brought about by co-living and shared spaces, or the increased engagement sought out by social media personalities and influencers who share impressive homes for the purpose of collaborative content creation.

When designing a co-living project and marketing its benefits, housing providers would be wise to lean heavily on the community aspect of these living spaces and ensure shared spaces and facilities are designed to optimise their potential for social interaction.

To find out how to encourage a sense of community on your developments, both co-living and traditional, please get in touch to arrange a demo of our residential engagement and property management app, Spaciable Living.