Explore thought leadership articles that showcase best practices across a diverse range of topics in the shared living industry.
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The Coliving Conference 2025 featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on how coliving brands deliver affordable luxury amidst rising costs, moderated by Moyra Marval. Panelists included David Uriarte and Artūras Pitkauskas. The session focused on how the lines between residential and professional environments are becoming increasingly blurred as the workforce of today becomes more diverse. As the demand increases for spaces that are adaptable, connected, and conducive to both personal well-being and professional growth, developers and operators are now designing ecosystems that combine residential comfort with the flexibility of dynamic workspaces.

The Coliving Conference 2025 featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on how coliving brands deliver affordable luxury amidst rising costs, moderated by Gosia Czwarno. Panelists included Ferran Tramuns Llopart, Sunny Lou, and Jo Winchester. The session focused on how operators are redefining value for money, offering residents substantially more than just a private room - from intelligent spatial solutions and premium shared amenities to flexible contract models that resonate with contemporary, evolving lifestyles.
As coliving continues to grow as a scalable housing model, industry leaders are refining the blueprint for success. The second Coliving Insights Talks webinar, ‘Building the Coliving Blueprint’, brought together key figures to discuss the essential steps in creating a thriving coliving venture. From securing investment and structuring financial models to building engaged communities and streamlining operations, the discussion explored the key elements that contribute to long-term success.
What does the future hold for coliving? That was the question at the heart of Coliving Insights Talks' first webinar - ‘Coliving 2025 Trends in Review’. In this recap, we highlight the key insights shared by industry pioneers as they delved into the evolving market, shifting investment landscapes, and design innovations shaping shared living. Moderated by Bart Sasim, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Coliving Ventures, the discussion brought together Simon Chinn from the Urban Land Institute, Jo Winchester from Newmark, and John Badman of Gensler to share their expert perspectives.

The Coliving Conference 2024 featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on the analysis of the rise of Destination Coliving and its appeal to digital nomads seeking unique, immersive living experiences, moderated by Haz Memon. Panelists included Katia Dimova, Christine Bay, and Ana Sousa. The session focused on the appeal of beyond city settings for those seeking unique living and working environments, and discovering the transformative potential of Destination Coliving projects. Key discussions entailed how to bridge hospitality and community in urban hubs, and operational realities and lessons from these industry experts.
The Coliving Conference 2024 featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on the future of coliving and communal living in urban areas, moderated by Wouter Onclin. Panelists included Matt Driscoll, Michiel Voskamp, Russell Garnett, and Joost Kool. The session focused on the importance of designing spaces that foster community and emphasised the roles of operators and community managers in cultivating vibrant, people-driven cultures. Key discussions centered on regulatory challenges, including the need to balance housing needs with rental subsidy management and the future of coliving. The panelists envisioned the evolution of coliving over the next five years, advocating for innovative development and collaborative planning in countries like the Netherlands and the UK. A strong call was made for advancing cooperative building laws and implementing experimental coliving projects.
This article from the inaugural Coliving Conference 2023 spotlights the growing potential of coliving for active ageing communities. Brought to you in collaboration with Coliving Conference, it reimagines senior housing with adaptability, community, and engagement at its core. Preview how coliving is transforming senior living — read the complete piece on Coliving Insights.
This article, features a recap from a Showcase stage panel session at the Coliving Conference 2023 that brought resident experiences to the forefront. Developed in partnership with Coliving Conference, it provides a preview of how resident feedback is shaping service innovation and satisfaction in coliving spaces. Uncover the keys to optimizing user experiences — find the full article on Coliving Insights.
As part of the Coliving Conference 2023 series of articles, this recap offers a glimpse into innovative financing strategies driving portfolio growth. Created in collaboration with Coliving Conference, it showcases how alternative investments are transforming the coliving landscape. Discover the financial trends shaping the future of shared living — read more on Coliving Insights.
This article, from the first Coliving Conference 2023, redefines the boundaries of home and work through the lens of remote and nomad coliving. In partnership with Coliving Conference, it highlights the trends and opportunities that cater to digital nomads and remote workers. Explore how these communities are reshaping modern living — read the complete feature on Coliving Insights.
Discover the unique dynamics of the DACH coliving market in this article from the inaugural Coliving Conference 2023. Developed in collaboration with Coliving Conference, it unveils expansion strategies, investment prospects, and opportunities tailored to this thriving market. This recap sets the stage for a deeper dive into the factors driving coliving success in the DACH region — read the full article on Coliving Insights.
Dive into the dynamic Iberian coliving market with this article from the inaugural Coliving Conference 2023. Created in partnership with Coliving Conference, it unpacks strategies to overcome affordability challenges and adapt to rising demand. Preview how coliving is evolving in Portugal and Spain — access the complete recap on Coliving Insights.
From the Market Insights discussions at the Coliving Conference 2023, this article delves into the complexities of coliving regulations across Europe. In collaboration with Coliving Conference, it highlights strategies for achieving harmony and fostering collaboration in this diverse landscape. Unlock insights on creating consistent policies for coliving success — read more on Coliving Insights.
This article, originating from the first edition of the Coliving Conference 2023, explores the vibrant coliving landscape in Benelux. Created in partnership with Coliving Conference, it examines strategies like sustainability, accessibility, and stakeholder collaboration that are fueling regional growth. Get an inside look at the transformative potential of coliving in Benelux — find the full article on Coliving Insights.
Discover the unique dynamics of the UK coliving market in this article from the inaugural Coliving Conference 2023. Developed in collaboration with Coliving Conference, it unveils growth strategies, investor trends, and opportunities tailored to this thriving market. This recap sets the stage for a deeper dive into the factors driving coliving success in the UK — read the full article on Coliving Insights.
At the intersection of technology and shared living, this article from the inaugural Coliving Conference 2023 unveils a tech-powered future for coliving. Created in collaboration with Coliving Conference, it explores groundbreaking innovations shaping operations and fostering connections. Discover how technology is redefining the community experience — find the complete article on Coliving Insights.
Coliving is sparking social and environmental transformation, as detailed in this article from the 2023 Coliving Conference. Developed with Coliving Conference, the article delves into ESG-driven initiatives and their profound impacts on shared living. Get a glimpse of how the sector is redefining sustainability and community engagement — explore more on Coliving Insights.
Direct from the Thought Leadership Stage at the first Coliving Conference 2023, this article reveals the strategies behind scaling coliving brands sustainably. In partnership with Coliving Conference, it highlights how innovation, accessibility, and collaboration meet dynamic market demands. Dive into the key tactics shaping the industry's future — access the complete article on Coliving Insights.
This article is a recap of a panel session from the 2023 Coliving Conference, where experts explored the future of communal living through PBSA, coliving, and hybrid models. Curated in collaboration with Coliving Conference, it highlights the evolving opportunities, challenges, and transformative potential of shared living solutions. Discover how these housing models are shaping the future — read the full article on Coliving Insights.
From the first edition of the Coliving Conference 2023, this article unravels the fusion of coliving and hospitality, redefining the boundaries of how we live, work, and socialise. Brought to you in collaboration with Coliving Conference, it highlights innovative design and adaptable spaces that reflect the future of shared living. Get a glimpse into the hybrid paradigm and unlock the full insights available on Coliving Insights.
This article, part of an exclusive series from the inaugural Coliving Conference 2023, takes you deep into the transformative potential of coliving as a lifestyle. Crafted in collaboration with Coliving Conference, it explores how thoughtful community-building, sustainable design, and operational innovation shape thriving shared living spaces. Discover the core of what makes coliving a resilient and evolving lifestyle solution. Read the full article on Coliving Insights.
The coliving sector is at a crucial stage in its growth, but without clear benchmarks for the asset class, it could be stifled. In this article, Richard Lustigman, Head of Coliving at JLL Capital Markets, discusses the need for coliving professionals to evolve their products to deliver the impact they have the potential for, and the importance of setting minimum standards without suppressing innovation.
Senior living investor Jorge Fonseca discusses intergenerational coliving and the need for more hybrid typologies. Exploring the role of senior housing, he highlights pandemic-driven societal changes and envisions the evolution of coliving, urging the real estate industry to create innovative models for independent living.
There is no denying that community is at the core of the coliving concept. COVID-19 obliged us to keep a distance and to limit our interactions with each other, putting our capacity to keep the community alive to the test. In this context, does coliving still make sense? Christina Wooning-Apicella of THE BABEL COMMUNITY shares her thoughts.
Discover from Jacob Shapiro how Outpost Club adapted their business model to support New York-bound nurses during the pandemic, showcasing their agile culture and community-driven approach to overcome logistical, financial, and pandemic-related obstacles.
According to COCO Community (COCO), coliving means cool places to live, work and socialise, with ambitious talks and events dedicated to international and local colivers. The branding behind the COCO vision was created by design agency The Letter O., who helped them develop their brand since they founded in 2019. COCO aims to have a major role in developing the high-scale segment of coliving and especially coliving for international professionals, with locations in the very centre of international cities, starting with Le Marais in Paris. As finalists for the Coliving Awards 2021 in the Branding & Marketing category, Coliving Insights reached out to them to hear how their brand has evolved in the last few months and spoke with Founder Frédéric Geoffrois about how they position and market themselves in the coliving world and how their positioning is helping evolve the sector.
The winners of the Coliving Awards 2021 ‘Branding & Marketing’ category, OurDomain has developed a strong presence in the coliving and specialist real estate sectors. OurDomain is managed by Greystar, and offers 21st- century urban living for students, young professionals and all who are attracted to vibrant city life. In this article, Coliving Insights speaks with Anke Storms, Marketing Executive at Greystar Europe, about how OurDomain has developed their award-winning brand and how Greystar’s track record has helped them along the way.
Presenting your brand as people-centric is easy; following through and providing a coliving solution that addresses pressing human needs in a time of widespread isolation is a much taller task. LOFT lives up to its People First identity by offering responsive, agile and community-oriented interior solutions that are solidifying coliving’s place as the asset class not just of the future, but that which solves the issues of the present. In this article, Benjamin Hall shows us exactly how LOFT delivers on its promise and how you can, too.
Vitanovae is an impact-driven investor-operator based in France. Their aim is to make their spaces accessible to as many people as possible while guaranteeing a high level of comfort and reducing their environmental impact. They operate shared spaces – including coliving spaces, community gardens and other third spaces (e.g. open kitchens) – within the same neighbourhood to offer a network of services to their residents and to encourage exchanges and mutual support systems. In this interview with Co-Founder Fabrice Simondi, Coliving Insights explores what it means to embed impact and sustainability at the core of a shared living brand, and how that influences all design decisions, from design to operations to marketing and even investment.
Marketing your coliving brand is not just a top-of-the-funnel process; with the wide array and accessibility of high quality digital marketing solutions, your efforts can become interwoven from the start of the customer journey to even beyond its end point. By applying proper marketing techniques in combination with the right tools, you can engage your prospective (and current) residents at every touchpoint. In this article, our partners at Digital Estate take you through every step of that journey and provide a glimpse into the wide range of solutions, procedures and benefits that digital marketing can offer to help you build a high-growth shared living brand.
In order to sculpt the ideal brand identity you want your customers to associate with, you need the right tools. In today’s real estate economy, technology has an unprecedented impact on your ability to shape your brand in response to your consumers’ needs – and if implemented correctly, turn them into ambassadors. SALTO Systems’ Christian Schmitz shares exactly how a personalised customer journey, with the help of such tools, can help you leave a lasting and memorable brand impression that your customers will want to share with the world.
Technology has the amazing double characteristic of not just simply being physically instrumental, but also serving to add value to crucial intangible assets like your brand. By making your spaces safer, more integrated, sustainable and smart, you can position your offering in a variety of creative ways that only something like the Internet of Things can provide. In this article, Vince Jouan, VP EMEA at Wifirst, explains exactly how your brand can reap the benefits of current and emerging technologies in coliving.
Your brand is the spearhead of your product. By implementing strong design principles – particularly in an era of ever-changing consumer tastes and behaviours – you will be able to scale your impact, spread your message and position yourself ever closer as an industry leader in a competitive arena. However, we first must step back and evaluate all those critical elements that go into constructing an award-winning coliving model, piece by piece. Our Founding Partners at Spatial Experience explain the fundamental ins and outs of the brand development process, how an effective marketing campaign can serve to drive maximum exposure and the benefits of utilising visual imagery to communicate with your target audience. Supported by in-depth research, conversations with sector stakeholders and a wealth of experience, this trilogy of articles will guide you through your successful branding journey, step by step - with this article featuring the power of Image.
Your brand is the spearhead of your product. By implementing strong design principles – particularly in an era of ever-changing consumer tastes and behaviours – you will be able to scale your impact, spread your message and position yourself ever closer as an industry leader in a competitive arena. However, we first must step back and evaluate all those critical elements that go into constructing an award-winning coliving model, piece by piece. Our Founding Partners at Spatial Experience explain the fundamental ins and outs of the brand development process, how an effective marketing campaign can serve to drive maximum exposure and the benefits of utilising visual imagery to communicate with your target audience. Supported by in-depth research, conversations with sector stakeholders and a wealth of experience, this trilogy of articles will guide you through your successful branding journey, step by step - with this article featuring the power of Marketing.
Brussels-based coliving investor and operator Cohabs has recently been expanding to new markets including New York, Paris and soon Madrid. With 20+ locations in the heart of Brussels and more to come in Belgium and beyond, Cohabs has established itself as one of Europe’s leading coliving brands. With a strong focus on member satisfaction and happiness, Cohabs uses technology, design, sustainability and a range of services to create an improved living experience for their cohabitants. In this interview with Youri Dauber (CEO & Head of Experience), Laure Bommart (VP Customer Experience) and Lionel Jadot (Partner & Chief Design Officer), they take us through their design identity and guidelines and how their spatial design helps them stand out from the rest.
Putting the customer first’ is an oft-said motto-turned-practice for businesses of all forms in our modern, data-driven economy. However, hardly anywhere is it as applicable or relevant as in residential living; it is up to designers, in alignment with developers, property managers and other stakeholders, to execute this philosophy and deliver a truly accommodating space for coliving. As authors Martina Pardo and Riccardo Del Bello show us through their own practical experience at A Designer at Heart, knowing your customer, getting their feedback and designing with personalised intentions is the key to creating sustainable, communal and functional spaces for your clients.
An enriching and inspiring spatial design strategy should always start and ‘end’ with one main objective in mind: the experience that will be ultimately curated and felt within that space. In this article by Aitana de Jong of Spatial Experience, we are taken through the different kinds of experiences that she aims to curate when helping shared living brands design their spaces and communities. We are explained a core principle of what any coliving brand needs to understand: that experience design needs to inform spatial design, and vice versa. Once this process is understood and embedded, coliving designers, developers and operators can get a few steps closer to curating a thriving community and (spatial) experience.
Architectural and interior design can not only shape how we interact with our built environment but can also enhance how connected we feel with our surroundings and how well we feel in ourselves. The team at Conscious Coliving has always been fascinated in how designing for wellness, social connection and environmental sustainability can often intersect. They believe that coliving, with its emphasis on social connection and shared resources, has the potential to meet the needs of people and the planet. One of Conscious Coliving’s core partner architects, Wellstudio, specialises in designing for coliving and places wellbeing at the centre of its approach. In this article, they interview Tom Manwell, the Founder and Director of Wellstudio, to learn about their projects, guiding principles, and practical advice for designing for well-being in coliving.
There is a lot of theorising about what it takes to generate a blended coliving community; in this piece, OZ makes it all very concrete. By sharing their first-hand experiences with designing OurDomain in Amsterdam, they show us how they transformed a convoluted, unappealing office area into an integrated, complementary and community- oriented residential coliving space. By tapping into the core of communal living, OZ illustrates how placemaking and quality living go hand-in-hand.
While the link between access control and property design may not always be directly intuitive, it certainly should not be overlooked. As our contributors from SALTO Systems show us, there are a variety of unique benefits that having the right solution can bring from an architectural perspective to the usage, safety and sustainability of a coliving space. In speaking with Björg Halldórsdóttir, architect at PK Arkitektar in Iceland, SALTO Systems gives us insights into the interplay between design and access control solutions and what this means for enhancing the coliving experience.
The concept of Wifirst’s Room Area Network (RAN) is to offer a secure WPA2 or WPA3 encrypted connection ‘bubble’ for each room in your building. This means that guests can securely connect and enable their devices to communicate with one another within their room, safe in the knowledge that everything is totally secure anywhere. RAN is Wifirst’s response to the strong expectation of coliving residents, especially in regards to making the streaming experience easier (i.e. listening to music with connected speakers, playing on a gaming network with their console or simply using a wireless printer) and opening the possibility for IoT in the shared living model. In this interview with Wifirst’s Product Manager, Alexis Girerd, we dive into the specifics of RAN and how it can be integrated into the core of your coliving design approach.
With an aspiration to build a new coliving product or open a new location, architects, designers and other stakeholders face a challenging task – to create a functional space that will be relevant in two, three and hopefully ten years from now on; ideally, a space that can surpass an anticipated lifetime. Building something sustainable requires diligence and the right approach to set up the spaces in order to turn them into purpose-driven and meaningful places that will thrive and serve ever-growing users’ needs. This approach should not be bound to physical parameters only: in this article Digital Estate and Sowebuild explore the possibilities of turning a space into a social and spatial fabric that can adapt and scale while capitalising on the most flexible coliving technology solutions, starting at the very beginning of its development stage.
Do not underestimate the power of giving space an identity - particularly when it mirrors that of both the individual student and community residing in it. Within all the challenges that operators face in providing an optimal student coliving experience lies a human- centric solution. In this piece, Kelly-anne Watson, Head of Programmes at The Class Foundation, shows us that thinking outside the box, and not just simply ticking boxes, is the formula for designing sensational coliving experiences for students.
Understanding community means understanding its intricacies; and it is these nuances of community where the difference between operational excellence and averageness in coliving lies. In relating to the experiences of a new member, operators can better comprehend the winding process of individual growth that takes place, and accordingly facilitate this growth into a thriving community. Jay Standish – Co-Founder at OpenDoor – takes us through this very journey with a sense of clarity that can only come from years of experience, while offering his approach to manifesting the most essential elements of human interaction.
It’s one thing to speak of community experience; actualising it is a whole different ball game. It is not enough to simply lump residents together in a space and expect genuine human interactions to emerge. In this piece, Alex Chakrabarti of Together Co-Living shares the ways in which coliving operators can create an atmosphere capable of manifesting new relationships, unforgettable memories and experiences suitable for the demands of modern coliving residents.
Launched in 2019, Episode is a Korea-based residential brand that positions itself as a ‘Life Experience Producer’ providing solutions for better city life. Episode creates a variety of experienceable spaces where individuals can improve their quality of life and grow their values beyond their basic needs. As the winner of ‘Best Coliving Operator of the Year’ for The Coliving Awards 2021, we wanted to sit down with them to learn more about their ‘Living Cultural Platform’, and how they facilitate the constructive co-existence of individuals and communities. In this interview piece with Si-hyun Lim and Joo-hyun Lee of the Content Team at Episode, we explore their integrated model for the development, planning and operations of successful long-term coliving communities.
There has never been a time when technology has had so much to offer with regards to operational excellence. In coliving, it is critical to take advantage of the myriad of tools available to create the most human- centered experiences possible within and around the community. From humanising your brand to connecting individuals with their local neighbourhood, Digital Estate’s team provides unique insights and offers concrete, real-world examples of the best technology has to offer. By reminding us that technology is not the end goal, but the ultimate means to creating a thriving community, industry stakeholders can open up a world of possibilities – and a world of meaningful human experiences.
Coliving is all about community; but first, we ought to take a step back. Community cannot be experienced without first being accessible to those who wish to participate in it. From curation to onboarding all the way through to the full in-house experience itself, access control plays a vital role in providing a sense of ease to residents, while granting operators the right tools to facilitate such a journey. In this piece, Anya Doshi, Christian Schmitz and Caterina Maoilini of SALTO Systems walk us through how the right access control system can be a gamechanger for your coliving space.
Great WiFi service in coliving spaces is not simply just about a fast connection; it’s about giving operators the free reign to maximise connectivity, in the other sense of the word -- that is, authentic connections between individuals within a community. This is what makes Wifirst a leader in providing sustainable, durable and effective WiFi networks and infrastructure to residential, commercial and office space operators. By providing a couple of real world cases of these impacts, author Vincent Jouan demonstrates how communities and operators can thrive when their connectivity and other digital touchpoints are taken care of.
Environmental issues and social connectivity are two of some of the biggest topics in our world today, in light of both climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, Naima von Ritter Figueres and Penny Clark of Conscious Coliving address a vital point; how can a coliving community be fostered through sustainable practices? The authors show us that this focus can bring about a great win-win for people and the planet. Whether it’s through community gardening, developing an impact strategy or ‘community asset mapping’, this article demonstrates the importance of linking community to its surrounding environment.
Achieving scale is certainly an exciting prospect; however, reaching that scale does not come without its unintended compromises. It is crucial to stay locked in on those elements that not only keep a community intact, but perpetually improve upon the community-building process as you include more and more members to it. In this piece, Gui Perdrix, Founder of Art of Co & Director at Co-Liv, offers 10 best practices for integrating new residents into the coliving communal experience.
Building a community requires a holistic design thinking approach. This includes getting all the stakeholders around the table and developing both B2B and B2C strategies for your coliving concept. In this article, Aitana de Jong, Managing Partner at Spatial Experience, breaks down their hassle-free 360 degree approach to supporting the emergence and flourishing of shared living communities. They take us through their 5-step method of building specialist real estate concepts and brands, and the importance of a thorough stakeholder -driven approach along the way.
Building a genuine coliving community is by no means a straightforward process; it requires attention to detail and a constantly evolving process that puts the needs of the consumer at the center. In this piece, Stuart Scott of Co-Living Spaces & The Co-Living Revolution tells us about an effective, human-centered approach to community building called service design thinking. With deep research to gain insights into your consumer, continual ideation, prototyping and a perpetual fine-tuning of the customer journey, he explains how service design truly serves as a blueprint for optimising your community coliving experience.
Frame is dedicated to exploring what’s next in spatial design and is always on the lookout for what’s happening on the cusp of innovation and creativity in the design sector. They believe that better spaces lead to better lives, and if interiors help us to work, shop, relax and live better, they will make us happier and healthier. We could not agree more and this is why we have established a Think Tank Partnership with Frame, in order to merge the best of the design world with the best of the coliving world. Our aim is to showcase Frame and their curated community of design experts to our coliving audience and get some insights into the latest and greatest of design innovation along the way. In this interview we speak with Frame’s Head of Brand, Leah Heaton-Jones, to learn more about their design community and hear their thoughts on the latest design innovations when it comes to shared living and housing.
Loneliness comes in different forms and has persisted throughout history; however, it hasn’t been quite as strong as the last few decades and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This global challenge has presented real estate with a distinguished issue – how do you help tenants overcome feelings of alienation and loneliness as a collective effort to combat the crisis? The answer, according to MyTown, is community. In this piece, Jelmer Ikink, Group Director of MyTown, educates us on the importance of shared living in addressing loneliness and showcases how they have been doing so since before the pandemic and onwards.
SPACE10 is a research and design lab on a mission to create a better everyday life for people and the planet. They are supported by and entirely dedicated to IKEA – working as an independent research and design lab to bring new perspectives and design new solutions that enable IKEA to develop innovative products and strategies. Ultimately, SPACE10 researches and designs innovative solutions to solve some of the major societal changes expected to affect people and our planet in the years to come. In this interview with the SPACE10 team, they share how they are working with a community of B2B industry leaders to bring innovative solutions to urbanism, shared living and the way we generally experience our lives on planet earth.
Gui Perdrix, Founder of Art of Co and Director of Co-Liv, emphasises that technology should serve as a means to foster human connection. In this article, he shares compelling stories and insights into how innovative tech solutions can transform coliving spaces. From enhancing resident experiences to reimagining how we interact with shared environments, Gui demonstrates how coliving is poised for a radical evolution in the way we use and experience our spaces.
Coliving is not just a real estate revolution but a societal (r)evolution in its own right. Technology is a key cog in this process, allowing coliving to bring people together in ways other sectors simply cannot. In this article, Aitana de Jong of Spatial Experience explains how, by applying methodologies like Design Thinking and Growth-Driven Design, technology can take on a human-centric nature - a perfect compliment to the human-centric essence of coliving - and forever change real estate itself.
It is often said that the pandemic has turned the way we live our lives on its head; however, other societal trends have already been accelerating these changes, and coliving has proven to offer the kind of living solution most suitable for the current moment in time. As such, greater connectivity and sustainability must be continually pursued with the help of smart technologies, such as IoT, robotics, AI, contech, digitisation and more. In this article, Fanyu Lin and Alec Wang of Fluxus showcase how they are meeting the challenges of today by constructing prefabricated, energy efficient, connected and beautiful homes that enhance personal and community wellbeing.
Discover how managed WiFi solutions like Wifirst are transforming coliving and alternative real estate sectors. WaaS ensures reliable, secure connectivity, supports IoT integration, and optimizes energy use while reducing operational costs. With turnkey solutions tailored to high-density environments, WaaS enhances resident satisfaction and streamlines IT management, enabling operators to focus on their core services.
Digitalisation is transforming everything, and with real estate being the largest asset class in the world, it is inevitably at the heart of the revolution. But technology implemented without due diligence will not get your business where it wants to go. In this piece, Bart Sasim describe a variety of elements that a successful coliving business must take into account when selecting and implementing a truly experience-changing technology for all stakeholders involved.
Creating authentic community experiences is vital yet challenging for coliving operators. Naima Ritter, Head of Community & Wellbeing at Conscious Coliving, explores the business case for strong communities, common challenges, and how app solutions can address these. Drawing on research, software demos, and surveys of 30+ operators worldwide, the article highlights how technology can foster connection, streamline operations, and support vibrant coliving spaces.
Coliving consists of a wide and complex array of key actors and processes. As a result, a truly great coliving experience - at all stages of the member journey - must be facilitated by great services that can account for all these aspects - and in the 21st century, many of these services can be facilitated by technology. In this article, Christian Schmitz, Michael Steinmann and Connor Moore of Co-Liv explain how Co-Liv is working to further facilitate a stronger synergy within the Co-Liv Tech Community in order to propel the industry to greater heights than ever before, all while strengthening the interdependent community of service providers within it and helping them gain visibility throughout the sector.
Coliving continues to undergo a constant evolution as COVID-19 has shifted the sector to adapt buildings in newly functional ways - and software is here to help. Spaceflow’s Head of Marketing, Petr Boruta, explains how such technology is capable of integrating and digitising all aspects of the tenant experience; thus, transforming space itself into a connected and living sphere that can serve all of the tenant’s needs, all in one place.
Coliving and tech are a ‘match made in heaven’, according to Giles Horwitch-Smith, the founder and CEO of leading short-stay and long-stay residential software platform, res:harmonics. With 25 years’ experience in the property and tech worlds, Giles tells Coliving Insights how innovative technology can streamline coliving’s operations, enhance resident experience, boost operators’ profits and help them scale.
Technology has allowed humans to accomplish extraordinary feats; however, technology on its own is not enough. By understanding all the steps along a coliving member’s journey, you can apply technology in ways that effectively facilitate an optimal community atmosphere for that member. Rick Schols, co-founder at Sowebuild, shows us how by stimulating practical engagement, providing seamless accessibility and driving connectivity, technology can help shape a flourishing community for all its members, from start to end of their journey.
If there is one thing managers and operators of coliving spaces absolutely cannot ignore, it is the customer experience. According to Vann Vogstad, Founder of COHO, this needs to be at the heart of proptech; however, it doesn’t stop there. The right solution for providing residents with a seamless and integrated experience requires having all of your functionalities together, in one place, and thus providing tenants the ultimate hassle-free experience. In this piece, Vann shows us that property management systems have a long way to go to meet the demands of the modern coliver, and COHO is dedicated to breaking the chain to do just that.
Property management and community building, particularly in coliving, can be a complex process. However, as Group Director of MyTown Jelmer Ikink demonstrates in this piece, having the right turn-key property management system can provide an all-inclusive operations platform to give your tenants’ the ultimate coliving experience. From rental payments to property maintenance to management of key business metrics, MyTown shows how they have developed in-house technology that can simplify, integrate and organise all of your management functions, all in one place.
In this interview, our Editor-in-Chief, Matt Lesniak, speaks with The Collective’s Group Technology Director Andy Caddy and Customer Experience Director Ed Thomas to share their unique insights on how technology can be used to go above and beyond in meeting the essential needs of coliving members and fostering a strong community atmosphere. Through the power of data and continual engagement, Ed and Andy elaborate on the challenges, opportunities and benefits of exploring and implementing proptech solutions in a coliving space. From transparent reporting on operational sustainability to forming social groups with shared interests, The Collective demonstrates why they are an illustrative example of the role technology can play in optimising the coliving experience.
Technology in today’s real estate market is the difference between a standard coliving experience, and an exceptional one. But what exactly is that difference? For Hélène Maria, Product Manager at Urban Campus, it’s about a more engaged community, environmental sustainability and managerial ease. In this piece, she explains how tech serves to enable coliving operators to provide a wide variety of benefits for all stakeholders involved.
We live in a truly exceptional time period, in which technology is allowing us to turn what we imagine real estate should be into what it can and will be. Particularly for coliving operators, a whole new set of possibilities unravels by implementing technology, particularly when it comes to revolutionising what is the core of coliving - the community experience. In this piece, Carlos de la Lama-Noriega - founder of Startup Embassy - educates and inspires us to use our imagination in order to realise the many ways in which tech can push the limits of what it means to operate a coliving space in the era of digitalisation.
In this article, founders of Miele Operations & Payment Solutions provide insights into their idea of a state-of-the-art solution for laundry technology and why they believe their appWash service is a fitting contribution to the range of amenities offered by coliving operators. They take us through their European study trip and how they gathered user data to create the customer-centric laundry technology they provide to shared living spaces across Europe.
While subscription based services have been around for quite some time now, the high demand for flexible living by younger generations means it’s time for coliving and real estate to join the movement. Whether its providing consumers with a greater variety of choice or offering easy access to service and amenities, subscription-based coliving has much to offer. In this article, Spatial Experience shares insights into the opportunities, challenges and benefits of implementing subscription economy solutions to the shared living sector.
Despite the increasingly widespread need for coliving, meeting this demand is not a straightforward process by any means. Restrictions such as limited convertible spaces, existing building codes and the tension between growth and efficiency are all factors that can inhibit growth. In this article, our Think Tank Partner MyTown describes how their own experiences in the Philippines serve as a model for how operators can navigate such challenges, and thus achieve a sustainable and profitable coliving growth model.
In this interview, we speak to Fredéric Verdavaine, CEO of Private Rental Sector (PRS), and Marie-Suzanne Locqueneux, New Business Development Director at Nexity. They are responsible for developing and improving their PRS concepts, including their coliving, PBSA and senior living verticals from development to operations. In this article, they share their perspectives on recent alternative real estate trends and what the coliving sector needs to do to consolidate itself.
Starcity is a California-based owner-operator that has recently expanded to Europe and acquired another large scale coliving operator. In this article they share how they have gotten to this point and give some insights into the specific development processes involved in a few of their recent purpose-built coliving schemes. They also share how their R&D and development teams partner up with industry leaders to help pave the way for shared living policies and institutionalisation.
The past decade has seen extraordinary growth and change in shared living. The Class of 2020 was founded as a think tank to solve the student housing crisis, and has seen the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) industry take off, mature as an asset class and bring prosperity and vibrancy to European cities. To celebrate The Class of 2020’s Graduation Conference, Programme Coordinator Lily Moodey and The Class of 2020 team curated an agenda of visionary thinkers and practitioners to comment on the trends shaping the next decade of living in university cities. In this article, Lily shares the most relevant findings for coliving players as they scale from providing spaces to solutions to global challenges.
One of our main objectives at Coliving Insights is to help ensure the coliving sector becomes a fully-fledged alternative residential asset class. Fortunately for us, we are not the only ones on this mission. Susan Tjarksen, Managing Director of Multifamily Capital Markets at Cushman & Wakefield, is another shared living ambassador who has supported the institutionalisation of the asset class through her work delivering multifamily apartments, publishing trend reports and speaking at conferences, summits and panels. As the ‘SCALE’ chapter sponsor, Susan speaks to us on behalf of Cushman & Wakefield and shares her thoughts about what it will take to bring the shared living sector to the next level. In this interview piece, Susan shares the important part that coliving plays in keeping young urban professionals housed and connected at an obtainable rental level.
Learn from Naima Ritter at Conscious Coliving on facilitating authentic community in coliving. Explore key points from The Community Facilitation Handbook, understanding the role of Community Facilitator and creating an organic, authentic coliving environment.
Discover SALTO Systems' expert advice to enhance coliving with technology integration, streamline operations, and scale your business. Learn best practices for software integration, automate billing cycles, manage applications, and strengthen your community. Choose tailored third-party integrations for your specific needs.
What does it take to achieve communal excellence in coliving? According to Art of Co founder Gui Perdrix, the answer lies in experience creation. In this piece, Gui details what he calls the Art of Coliving methodology. By working with dozens of coliving operators and community builders, Gui has developed a variety of strategies that can be implemented to build a truly state-of-the-art coliving experience.
This article highlights Samesame, Lisbon's first Portuguese coliving space, and its ethos. It emphasises personalised service, community, and sustainability. The founders embrace creativity, and community, operating at a micro-scale to ensure a positive global impact. Samesame strives to be a cultural home and is committed to fostering a shift from an ego- to eco-based culture through shared living.
As a relatively nascent industry, coliving is full of promise - but as with any up-and-coming product, also a large degree of uncertainty. With his varied experiences in coliving and finance, Connor Moore helps to quell some of this uncertainty with what he believes to be highly promising prospects for real estate investors - even in spite of all of the challenges the world faces today. With a close eye on market trends and global currents, Connor reassures us that coliving is the right move - and with a bit of patience, will result in high returns in the future.
Chris Saunders is the Investment Director at DTZ Investors, a full service, vertically integrated, real estate investment and asset manager. In 2019, they partnered with The Collective to launch DTZ Investors Co-Living Fund I, known as COLIV, an unlisted collective investment vehicle for professional investors investing in large scale, purpose-built coliving buildings in London. We interviewed Chris for his thoughts on the current investment landscape in the shared living sector and to ask him for some insights into investment criteria and best practices in regards to the coliving sector.
From 400 pitch meetings to North America's largest purpose-built coliving project: Ollie's journey with Alta LIC, its groundbreaking success in institutional-grade coliving, and the lessons learned in scaling a revolutionary housing model.
Keys Asset Management: Pioneering Impact and Innovation in Coliving. Discover how societal trends, ESG strategies, and impact investing are shaping the future of coliving and alternative real estate assets with Claire Flurin.
Coliving developer Matt Baker advocates for small-scale "co-homes" as a viable alternative to larger, institutional coliving developments. He argues that co-homes offer quicker acquisition and development, a simpler funding model, and stronger community bonds due to their smaller size (around seven occupants is ideal). Baker highlights the challenges of scaling co-homes, including project management and maintaining consistent service quality. While easier to finance and develop, Baker cautions against diluting the "coliving" concept as a mere marketing tactic. He emphasises the importance of providing high-quality space, design, and professional management to ensure resident satisfaction, brand loyalty, and long-term success.
Noiascape, a coliving company, presented their model as inspired by London's green spaces, the Sony Walkman's design, and the UK's public libraries, which all focus on the intersection of public and private space. Challenging traditional rental models that over-allocate private space, especially with rising remote work, they propose re-directing capital to create more shared and public areas. By focusing on the daily rituals of members and their spatial needs, Noiascape's goal is to use coliving to increase urban density, facilitate social interaction, and integrate living, working, and social spaces, offering an evolved urban living experience. They argue for a re-shaping the concept of home, re-distribution of the land, macro thinking, and densification.
Wifirst, founded in 2002, is a European leader in managed WiFi solutions, offering "WiFi as a Service" to support digital transformation. The company has expanded significantly, operating in over 325,000 student accommodations and 730,000 rooms across EMEA. Wifirst's mission is to provide robust, secure connectivity essential for modern living and working environments, particularly in coliving spaces where community, lifestyle, mobility, and work demands high-speed internet access. Their innovative Room Area Network technology ensures a home-like WiFi experience in shared residences.
Explore how NREP's strategic site selection and community-centric design helped their coliving projects like Noli Studios and UN17 Village flourish during uncertain times. By combining vibrant urban locations with functional spaces, NREP enhanced user experience and positioned itself at the forefront of the Nordic coliving market. Dive in to learn more about their innovative approach and its impact on the sector's growth.
Explore how coliving offers an affordable solution for single-adult households despite challenges like outdated regulations (e.g., density controls, minimum room sizes) rooted in early 20th-century SRO concerns. Learn how adjusting policies, improving public transit, and embracing innovative construction could unlock sustainable, community-driven housing models. Dive deeper to understand the path forward for coliving’s integration into modern urban landscapes.
Explore how a "lead by design" approach rooted in industrial/organisational psychology enables self-sufficient communities, reduces operational costs, and enhances resident autonomy. By prioritising strategic onboarding, transparency, and shared ownership, operators can balance scalability with meaningful engagement—unlocking thriving, socially impactful living models. Dive in to uncover the transformative potential of these innovative community-driven spaces.
Noiascape elevates coliving through spatial innovation, sustainable value, and social bonds. Like Apple, they integrate hardware (buildings) and software (operations), communicating their unique culture through design. They prioritize experiences that foster community and connect members to local culture, utilizing renewable energy. Their goal is long-term member retention, offering spaces that support life transitions and foster mixed demographics, envisioning coliving as a modern civic typology.
Explore Venn Coliving's impact-driven approach, fostering belonging, local economic growth, and community engagement. Through measurable tools and inclusive programming, Venn tackles loneliness, supports local businesses, and empowers stakeholders to co-create impact.
Discover how Mason & Fifth prioritises wellbeing in coliving with Abbi Wolffe. From healthy spaces to holistic health, they reshape real estate with people, place, and purpose at the core, fostering connected, sustainable communities.
Explore B-Hive Living's sustainable coliving strategy: integrating impact, wellbeing, spatial design, and community. Learn how healthy homes and communities positively impact occupants. Discover sustainability's broader scope and its effects on rent value, occupancy rate, lease length, and covenant strength.
Do our built environments have an impact on our physical and mental wellbeing? Many designers and researchers have explored this, and spend their careers developing innovations to enhance our built environments. Paulina Grabowska, an innovation designer in the field of sustainability who worked on IKEA’s Home of Tomorrow project, shares her approaches using innovative lighting and food concepts to help enhance our wellbeing in the spaces we live in.
Discover how Conscious Coliving's framework, The Conscious Coliving Manifesto, and the WELL Building Standard can be used to design coliving spaces that support physical and mental wellbeing. Explore the three levels of connection and examples of coliving spaces that support individual, community, and planetary wellbeing.
Learn how coliving operators enhance sustainable practices through technology and communication. Explore the role of behavioral science in influencing decision-making. Learn from practical examples of effective sustainable behaviour interventions in shared living and hospitality environments.
Explore Penny Clark's research on environmental sustainability in UK cohousing and coliving communities. Discover the findings on infrastructure and pro-environmental practices. See how these insights relate to coliving spaces with examples of sustainable practices encouraged by communities.
Stay ahead in the Coliving landscape: major announcements, press releases, partnerships and upcoming initiatives.
explore NewsDiscover the newest job openings within the coliving & shared living industry and list your vacancies.
explore JOBSStay connected with the latest industry events, from conferences to networking opportunities, all in one place.
explore EVENTSStep into the spotlight with the Showroom module, a platform designed to boost your market visibility and benchmark your projects for success in the shared living industry, helping you make informed decisions.


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