# Subway Cars as Art Studios The Village Underground By Elsa Blaine | Published 2008-11-29 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/low-rent-subway-car-studios-the-village-underground References: [ecofriend](http://www.ecofriend.com/entry/eco-architecture-artistic-mind-from-london-creates-office-spaces-from-old-subway-cars/) & [villageunderground](http://www.villageunderground.co.uk/vu.htm) The Village Underground is a community for struggling artists in London, England. Furniture designer Auro Foxcroft came up with the concept of rescuing [abandoned subway cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xstudio) and turning them into [low-rent studio space](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/downstairs-at-dmfk). For just £15 a week, creative types can lease out the ditched public transport vehicles to use as a workspace. The subway cars are located above a restored brick walled warehouse which can be used as a [gallery to show their art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apoc-london). There are plans for similar settlements in Berlin, Lisbon and Toronto. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 41% | Activity: 17% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Abandoned Subway Cars:** Exploring the potential of repurposing abandoned subway cars for creative spaces and workspaces. - **Low-rent Studio Space:** Meeting the demand for affordable and accessible studio spaces for struggling artists. - **Artistic Community Hubs:** Creating communities and platforms that support and showcase the work of emerging artists. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Creative Spaces:** Opportunity for businesses to repurpose underutilized spaces like abandoned subway cars for creative purposes. - **Real Estate:** Providing affordable workspace solutions to artists by utilizing abandoned spaces brings an innovative approach to the real estate industry. - **Art Galleries:** Exploring the concept of integrating art galleries within restored spaces, such as warehouse facilities, to create unique artistic communities. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Repurposed Waste Transit Tiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jeffrey-miller.md) - [Knitted New York Subways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/straphangers-lounge.md) - [Caravan-Shaped Artist Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artist-residency-in-milan.md) - [Art-Informed Renovated Pubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-audley.md) - [Converted-Garage Expansive Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/angel-yard.md) - [Broken Bike Lock Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/people-and-places.md) - [Subterranean Social Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/william-vale-hotel.md) - [Community-Inspired Colorful Substations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brent-cross-town.md) - [Barn-Turned Pottery Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/underwing-workshop.md)