Page 13 - C.A.L.L. #41 - Summer 2016

Could Co-Living Be the

Next Big Trend?

Recent years have seen a growing trend in the startup world: social enterprises focused on collectivism and “co-
living.” What, if at all, do these enterprises share with communes and intentional communities?

Deanna Ting, June 6th, New York. Common elements include shared kitchens,
(This article appeared in full at: www.skift.com) living areas, and social programming. Essentially,
it’s group living, and it’s being expressed in a
THE CONCEPT of “co-living” has been described multitude of variations, from purely residential
in many ways: Dorms for adults. The modern constructs to much more nomadic ones. Ranging
equivalent of the commune/kibbutz/boarding from ultra-luxury to basic budget, today’s co-
house. A solution for the urban housing crisis. A living spaces are, in many ways, blurring the lines
remedy for lonely Millennials seeking out true between residential and transient, social and
connections in this all-too digitally connected private, hotel and home share.
universe. A new live/work alternative for remote
workers and global nomads. But however you choose to describe co-living,
one thing is certain: It’s becoming a bigger trend,
At its most basic description, co-living is about or a movement. And it’s likely only a matter of
community and developing connections among time before it starts to emerge in the hospitality
those who occupy that particular co-living space.

The shared living and kitchen area at Zoku Amsterdam. Photo: Zoku Amsterdam

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