Karina Pitis

Co-habitat is an experimental housing development for 1500 people located in Wapping which proposes a new social model of dwelling addressing contemporary crises of affordability, community and the loneliness epidemic.

           Loneliness affects people across all age groups and is prevalent throughout society. People in relationships, families, veterans or those with successful careers can all be affected. Loneliness is associated in recent studies with depression, coronary heart disease and stroke, and can also lead to suicide or alcoholism. The total costs attributed to loneliness in the UK are up to £2,5 billion a year. The causes of loneliness vary and can include social, mental, emotional and physical factors. The term usually refers to the need for social interactions that are currently not available.

         Therefore, one question is: can housing be designed so it allows for the closer social interaction of different groups as a way of dealing with certain latent mental health issues outside of a clinical context?

          I propose a free-flowing interior space in which residential space is created around communal areas. The intention is to blur the balance between private and public space in a positive way. Areas such as an open air canteen, a kids playground, an area for group therapy/ pet therapy or a social area designated for activities that encourage opportunities for social interaction are all meant to help the inhabitants fight loneliness. 

           Co-Habitat will be run on a system based on a co-op model with rented units that will host a total of 1500 people. There are 600 units organised in 66 clusters. The community is administrated by a management structure at the top but each layer has residents making decisions on admissions. The challenges are maintaining the balance between public and private, order and freedom, as well as providing a sustainable funding model and management structure.