Stefanie Misch

27% of Londoners feel lonely which makes this city one of the loneliest in the world. Studies show that adolescents, young adults and the elderly are particularly at risk. As a response, this project proposes co-living to foster mutual support and togetherness. The intergenerational exchange contributes significantly to tackling the problem of possible obsolescence in society in the future equally with the platform “Interior Reuse” which is concerned with obsolescence in architecture.

The existing Old Guy’s Hospital is located in the rapidly developing London Bridge Quarter. The building lends itself to co-living, giving ideal opportunities to balance social and private space as generations come together. Communal areas are located on the ground floor and in the basement giving the residents opportunities to mingle with the neighbourhood and vice versa. Further away from the centre spaces become more private and discrete allowing residents to retire when necessary.

A wall of possessions unites residents of all generations offering great space for storage and display. Inserted into the existing building, this sprawling structure represents a threshold between public and private. It remains adaptable to the individual requirements of the residents using materials, furnishing and lighting according to practicability, aesthetics and comfortability.