An interesting and sustainable rural co-housing concept was granted the 2022 Davidson Prize—which aside from the prestige, also includes £10,000. The proposal was envisioned by Charles Holland Architects, in collaboration with artist Verity-Jane Keefe and Joseph Zeal-Henry, the founder of Sound Advice (an architecture discussion platform).
The award-winning rural co-housing concept, which is officially named Co-Living in the Countryside, answered a prompt with the theme Co-Living – A New Future? The collaborators planned this complex as affordable and rentable. At its core, the rural co-housing concept incorporates timber-framed housing blocks and strategic "living organizations" that are flexible and adaptable to the community's needs. Additionally, Charles Holland Architects, Keefe, and Zeal-Henry toyed around with the idea of shared facilities—from kitchens and workshops to childcare spaces.
Image Credit: Dezeen
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Sustainable Co-housing
- There is an opportunity to create new co-housing models that prioritize sustainability and eco-friendliness, such as using more renewable materials and energy sources.
- Flexible Living Organizations
- There is an opportunity to design and build co-housing communities with flexible living organizations that can be easily adapted to the changing needs of the community over time.
- Shared Facilities
- There is an opportunity to design and build co-housing communities with shared facilities and amenities, such as communal kitchens, workshops, and childcare spaces, to improve affordability and foster community engagement.
Where This Applies
- Architecture
- Architecture firms have an opportunity to develop innovative and sustainable co-housing models that meet the changing needs of communities.
- Real Estate
- Real estate developers have an opportunity to invest in co-housing projects that prioritize sustainability, affordability, and community engagement.
- Renewable Energy
- Renewable energy and technology companies have an opportunity to partner with co-housing developers to incorporate renewable energy sources and smart home technologies into co-housing communities to make them more sustainable and energy-efficient.
