This session ensured a deep exploration of coliving community aspects & how streamlined operations, sustainable design & community-building fosters thriving communities.

Leaders, stakeholders, and enthusiasts converged to delve into the intricate facets of community within coliving. The panel explored the intersection of streamlined operations, sustainable design, and community-building, revealing the synergies that contribute to the development of thriving and vibrant communities.

‍

What was covered in this session?

• The speakers intricately explored the art of cultivating communities within coliving spaces, shedding light on how streamlined operations, sustainable design, and thoughtful curation synergise to craft vibrant and interconnected living environments.
• Attendees delved into the nuanced versatility of coliving as a lifestyle choice adaptable to diverse life stages, addressing today’s social connection needs
• Essential elements fostering the success and resilience of coliving communities were revealed. panellists not only uncovered these key factors but also emphasised best practices and innovative approaches crucial to shaping flourishing shared living environments.

‍

‍

Perceptions of Coliving as a Lifestyle Choice

Coliving, as viewed by Samuel Toribio from Homelike, has the potential to redefine the traditional housing model. Samuel highlighted how coliving offers unique opportunities for flexible living arrangements, making it a choice for individuals who seek a more communal and less conventional lifestyle. This perspective underscores the notion that coliving is evolving beyond a transient phase and can be embraced as a long-term solution for housing.

In agreement with this, Ruben Petri from Commune Coliving offered his insights into designing coliving spaces intentionally to cater to the growing demand for a more permanent way of living. He echoed the need for human-centric design thinking to create spaces that nurture a sense of belonging and community. Ruben's emphasis on thoughtful design underlines the shift in perception regarding coliving from a temporary trend to a more permanent and intentional choice.

‍

The Role of Aggregators in Coliving Growth

The role of aggregators, as presented by Samuel, is pivotal in shaping the future of coliving. Aggregators offer not only global visibility but also a means to connect operators with a diverse array of customers, from corporations to individuals. This contributes to the expansion of the coliving sector and the diversification of its customer base. Samuel's insights emphasise how aggregators are instrumental in facilitating the connection between demand and supply in the industry, fostering its growth.

Tim Chapman-Cavanagh from Assael Architecture shared a view on how coliving operators should design and adapt their spaces for long-term stay. This perspective underlines that coliving, if designed with the intention of accommodating long-term residents, can fulfil the role of a more permanent housing solution. Tim's architectural insights align with the idea that aggregators play a critical role in connecting these long-term coliving spaces with potential residents.

‍

Addressing the Challenges and Imbalances in Coliving

Samuel highlighted the challenges in the coliving industry, such as tenant verification, compatibility among residents, and pricing optimization. This insight emphasises the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure the long-term sustainability and success of coliving. Aggregators like Homelike can contribute to resolving these issues, thus playing a pivotal role in the industry's growth.

Ruben recognized the demand-supply imbalance, especially regarding more affordable coliving options. His viewpoint calls attention to the need for a diverse range of coliving spaces to meet the varied demands of potential residents. This perspective reiterates the importance of creating accessible and inclusive coliving options to accommodate a broader spectrum of individuals and cater to their specific needs.

‍

‍

The Global Expansion and Reach of Coliving

Samuel highlighted Homelike's global expansion and its merger with Q Apartments, broadening the platform's portfolio to cover 180,000 units worldwide. This expansion, as noted by all panellists, is a testament to coliving's global growth. It reflects the industry's potential to offer both international and local audiences a broad range of coliving options.

Jose Llanos from Civit offered a unique view on the global reach of coliving by discussing his personal experience of living in community. He questioned the societal expectation of settling down in traditional housing and highlighted that coliving, if intentionally designed and embraced, can serve as a more permanent lifestyle choice. This viewpoint emphasises the global potential of coliving and its capacity to redefine the housing landscape.

‍

A Win-Win Approach

Samuel mentioned that coliving is evolving into a win-win scenario, catering to both residents and corporate clients. This approach reflects the growing trend of corporates embracing coliving as a way to provide cost-effective, high-quality accommodation for their employees while also enhancing their overall experience.

Jose's view aligns with this win-win concept by emphasising that coliving can be both a lifestyle choice and a long-term housing solution. It can provide individuals with a sense of belonging and community while also accommodating the needs of corporate clients seeking practical housing solutions for their employees. This dual potential for coliving exemplifies the mutually beneficial approach that is driving the industry's growth.

In summary, Samuel, Tim, Ruben, and Jose offer valuable insights into the perception, growth, challenges, and global potential of coliving, collectively contributing to a comprehensive view of this evolving industry.

‍

Reflecting on the success of the first 2 editions, Coliving Conference 2025 is now in full swing. The 2-day conference is set to bring another year of industry-leading discussions, featuring expert insights, emerging trends, and innovative ideas shaping the future of shared living. Secure your spot today and be part of the conversation.