ABSTRACT
The terms co-living and co-working are open to many interpretations. In truth, they are shorthand for the infinite ways people can live and work together, and are best considered as a framework for new ideas of how to live their lives collectively. The shared space provides an opportunity to reinvent how people of different ages, genders, ethnicity and backgrounds can live and work together, striking a balance between individuality and collectivism. An easier way to maintain a creative dialogue with a building’s future occupants is to host collaborative workshops and design surgeries over the course of the design process. In co-living and co-working spaces, economy of scale is a gift, creating opportunities for features that are only affordable as a result of them being shared. Some co-living schemes feature dedicated guest rooms for friends and family to stay in, while various co-working spaces offer the potential to take on more or less space at short notice.
