Social spaces are perhaps one of the most debated aspects of an urban home for future generations. On one end of the spectrum, many associate shared spaces within the building as an extension of their home; the home is not bound by the four walls of the unit but instead includes the building package as a whole. Many property managers addressed spaces such as the clubhouse, lounge, fitness room and roof deck more than the unit itself when giving us building tours. The chart below illustrates the importance placed upon social spaces, which we noted from the tours and branding on the buildings’ websites.
The sharing economy is chipping away at the divide between public and private space, requiring tomorrow’s apartment communities to be more integrated into the fabric of the community at large. [6]
On the other hand, privacy still remains an integral need in a home. After conducting our surveys across VDTA offices, only 3% of respondents ranked social spaces as being important to them in their current homes and 15% stated that they aspired to have it.
Factors Valued in Current Home
Factors Aspire to Have in Home
Although shared spaces were expressed as being of high importance on the building tours, we commonly observed that very few residents utilized them. Many property managers expressed that residents are more likely to use spaces if they are taught how to use them. For example, by hosting a cook out on the roof deck, residents are able to engage and interact with their neighbors in spaces outside of their unit and will be more inclined to do so on their own.
People today are looking at spaces not only as serving a function but also as providing an experience. And the apartment industry is beginning to get that. [6]
How will social spaces be valued in future generations as lifestyles adapt and shift overtime?
One example of how urban housing may react to an increased desire in shared spaces is co-living. Co-living, a new housing typology that is emerging in dense urban cities, emphasizes the willingness of residents to trade private spaces for shared spaces. While cost is an attraction to this type of living, many believe it is not the sole driver.
A big reason why co-living has such a promising future is because of changes in the way people live, work, and play. Having the ability to move about freely, to chase exciting career prospects, and to make memories through new experiences are factors that encourage individuals to embrace the co-living lifestyle. [41]
