Sukji Jeon

Urban Dwelling Systems for Mobile Milennials

Whilst there are many new construction sites for apartments or residential buildings, there is are not enough affordable homes to accommodate the population of London. ‘Millennials’ — people in there 20’s who are most likely to be on low salaries and in expensive rented accommodation— are particularly affected.  Statistically, they are most likely to have low incomes, move home regularly, and therefore loose any sense of attachment, ownership or belonging to a location or dwelling. Recent UK government statistical data identifies that there are 20,000 empty properties in London, and more than 5% of London are vacant at any one time. Some of these offices have are used by property guardian businesses, who offer low-rent living in exchange for high-density tenant shares that lack furniture, privacy or even basic domestic comforts.

In contrast, this project seeks to populate unoccupied offices with modular living units targeted at creative and design-savvy millennials. Meanwhile Housing offers a private unit for sleeping and work, and a communal living unit, for cooking, eating and socializing with other Meanwhile Housing residents. These affordable living spaces are flexible, adaptable and are easily connected to the existing building services provided in unused office spaces.

Users can book units through the Meanwhile Housing mobile app up to 48 hours in advance. By the time they arrive at the location on the date they booked, the Meanwhile Housing team will have prepared their units based on the preferences they have stated when booking the facility via the app.

This project provides a flexible and resourceful response to the housing problem facing younger, low-income Londoners. The design of the units and the materials they are built from are intentionally sustainable and portable as well as robust and comfortable too.