Co-living right now but co-housing for the long term
Whatever side of the argument you fall on, there’s no doubt that the realities of co-living is causing controversy in Ireland. In one corner it’s been labelled “Dickensian”; a vision of cramped Victorian living conditions and of profit hungry developers. In the other it’s an essential, demand driven housing typology, for transient workers at a more affordable price. It’s sold with a vision of community living and of social interaction but for the vast majority it could never be a home. It is in reality a temporary answer and probably a necessary one for some.
But there is an alternative long-term solution, in the form of a growing co-housing movement based on a European model that has proved hugely successful beyond these shores. Despite the similar sounding names and understandable confusion as to the distinction, co-housing is really quite different. So what is the difference? In essence it comes down to who’s driving the bus and that it’s about homes rather than short term accommodation. Critically, co-housing is a model driven and funded by a community, not by developers. Sure there are similarities with co-living, like efficiencies of using shared space and resources, ideas of social interaction and community but importantly in co-housing the extent of this is defined by the people that will use it.
For many co-housing is about creating a community of like-minded individuals, but it’s also a chance to make more from less. By eliminating the developer and their profit margin from the equation there’s no doubt that it can be a more affordable solution for people. That can’t be a bad thing in the current market.
Want to know a bit more? Why not start with the excellent resources available here https://soa.ie/
Want to see an example? Take a look at this project designed by London based architects Henley Halebrown.
Image: Jørn Utzon, Fredenborg housing
Image credit: SEIER+SEIER