Homes across the world have been changing due to a new trend that’s been gaining prominence for some time already. This new trend is called co-living and it’s impacting the future of interior design.
Humans are social creatures and we don’t thrive when isolated. Co-living, however, takes socialisation to the next level. The concept has also has a serious impact on the way in which living spaces are created and designed.
Co-living provides shared housing for a community (for example – of like-minded individuals) while enabling everyone to maintain some degree of privacy.
In the past, this was known as a commune. Today, the term co-living applies because the structures that house a wide range of individuals are equipped with various features to ensure everyone’s comfort and wellbeing.
Euclid Manor or the “hacker house” is one of the earliest examples of a co-living space. This 6,000-square-foot (557 square metre) single family house in California that welcomes students, freelancers and startup founders.
The idea of Euclid Manor was to offer struggling entrepreneurs and startup owners an opportunity to share a living space with like-minded individuals while also paying affordable rent (due to the fact that so many people are sharing the expenses). Today, this concept is going really mainstream.
Co-living has been taken to the next level with all-inclusive experiences and much more luxurious arrangements than what the hacker house offers its residents. Some experts even predict that co-living will become a massive trend in the real estate world, expanding rapidly and gaining more popularity in the years to come.
The co-living trend hasn’t passed Singapore by.
If you do a bit of online research, you’ll come across multiple ads for houses and large flats that offer the co-living experience.
In fact, Singapore currently houses the largest co-living space in Southeast Asia. The property was opened up on September 5, 2019. There are 412 rooms and 279 flats distributed over nine floors. The space is advertised as one managed by millennials and for millennials.
Co-living is a growing part of the shared economy. It appeals to travellers, digital nomads, entrepreneurs and even millennials who are looking for an in-between option before they move into their own residential space.
Co-living properties in Singapore cater to the needs of those looking for short-term and long-term stay. Catering to the preferences of people who are digital natives, these residential spaces are equipped with the latest technologies and connectivity opportunities that most young and active people cannot go without in this day and age.
Singapore interior design companies have had to adapt to the new trend because its impact on home interior design has been massive.
For a start, co-living spaces have to be created for much larger groups of individuals. They surpass jumbo flats in Singapore that have to cater to the needs of several generations living together. The scale is bigger, the number of rooms is bigger and there also need to be common amenities/rooms that should be sufficient to accommodate everyone.
Co-living spaces are often described as micro societies with their dynamics, routines and rules. Serviced bedrooms and bathrooms for all of the flat’s residents are an absolute essential. Interior design concepts that also make highly effective use of the available space are also very important.
The availability of storage space could be a big problem in a co-living apartment. Keep in mind that most of these properties aren’t constructed for the specific purpose. Hence, a Singapore interior designer will have to modify the space through the use of hidden storage compartments, multi-purpose furniture and other intelligent choices bound to optimize what’s already available.
The living room and the kitchen are usually the two spaces that are focal. These are open to everyone and traffic control in the areas is incredibly important.
Larger tables, numerous chairs and a sufficient number of appliances will be required in the co-living environment. The good news is that the cost per piece is brought down to minimum due to the number of inhabitants. As a result, interior designers enjoy a lot of freedom when it comes to picking furnishings and accessories.
Co-living is green in its very essence and to appeal to a millennial audience, the interior design could also provide additional opportunities for bringing down the environmental footprint of the property.
Finally, technology is very important.
Good wi-fi, recharge stations, remote connectivity and home automation all appeal to a millennial crowd. The same applies to the availability of large screens in the apartment or an entire multimedia room that can be used for entertainment or educational purposes.
Many interior designers today are excited by the co-living concept. While it creates various challenges that have to be overcome, co-living also provides opportunities for the development of new and spectacular interior designs the world hasn’t seen before.
It’s also an exciting thing to bring together the elements that make the community great with the comforts that individuals need in their privacy.
Co-living is all about the elimination of redundant items, conservation of resources, collaboration and communication. It takes a skilled interior designer to bring all of these concepts together in a masterful way.
Home Guide’s team understands the needs of the individual and those of the community. We’ve worked on numerous residential, retail and office projects and we’re no strangers to hybrid or innovative solutions. Contact us today if you’re looking for modern project execution that meets your specific requirements.
