The last two years have shaken up the world... but it wasn't all bad. One of the more positive outcomes of this period was the mainstreaming of the global well-being conversation.

Because of the pandemic, all aspects of wellness have changed: from where we exercise to what we eat. We also started looking at well-being with a holistic approach; considering mental and physical health as interconnected and understanding that they are impacted by environmental factors too. There have been many lessons learned and the importance of taking good care of ourselves has started to be emphasised more than ever. 

The GoodHome Report explores the elements that make a happy home. Key factors are: pride, control, safety, comfort and identity. We think these are good starting points to discuss well-being in the context of interior design. 

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The Benefits of Living in the Community

Our health and well-being depend on the mind as much as the physical body, but also on our social connections, on our communities. Bjorn Grinde’s research talks about the increased quality of life of individuals living in intentional shared living communities. We see living in a community as an added value to our society and a fundamental factor for well-being.  A Designer at Heart’s expertise lies in the interior design for coliving spaces with a particular focus on PBSA. 

How can we design coliving spaces for well-being? Or rather, how can we help co-habitants take good care of themselves?  ‍

(1) Space for positive activities

We believe in shaping the environment that will encourage co-habitants to cultivate healthy habits. Large and well-equipped kitchens make healthy cooking more accessible. An in-house gym with a dedicated yoga/meditation space will benefit both the physical and mental health of individuals. Providing a large amount of communal spaces, in general, will have a positive impact on a co-habitant’s well-being. It’s about creating more spaces for social interaction where the community can bond.

(2) Providing a feeling of control

Having a clear division between what's private and what's communal in coliving is paramount. In general, we can distinguish 3 main zones:

• private spaces: The Sanctuaries - simple, protected, private, restful environments where co-habitants can relax, unwind and recharge away from others.
• communal spaces - spaces to spend time together. They are kitchens, dining areas, living rooms, outdoor spaces and all the circulation areas.
• study zones: dedicated spaces for all that brainwork. Distinguished quiet and non-quiet zones where students know they can focus without distraction.

Each zone can influence well-being on its own, but the important thing is that the co-habitants know where to go to get what they need.  Having that feeling of control can reduce stress levels and provide a feeling of safety.  

Zoku - a home-office hybrid with hotel services - provides fully equipped pantries on each level in exactly the same spot. Next to the pantry, there is always an artwork collection which acts as a library so students can redecorate their rooms if they wish to. This repetition is another way to help co-habitants navigate themselves in the space.

(3) Home wrapped in a commercial building

Joel Primack (Community Specialist at Lattice) said that "community is not a place, it is a feeling". Space matters, in terms of ambience and the feeling it inspires. When people are comfortable and surrounded by stylish interiors, they are happier and more prone to form meaningful relationships. 

The feelings we want to evoke are comfort, pride, identity, and safety - all of them contributing to a feeling of home. As designers, we ask ourselves what makes an interior feel homely all the time. In our opinion, spaces should look lively, vibrant, gentle, be of excellent quality, but also a little bit imperfect (just like home is). 

On the other hand, spaces should be inspiring and a bit surprising. At the end of the day, coliving spaces are commercial buildings which need to stand out in a competitive market. Our task in each project is to strike that balance between homely and surprising. We need to remember that behind every paying customer there is a human being looking for home. 

Finally, let’s remember that home doesn't finish with the boundary of the building. We can also create identity by adaptability to the local context. If done right, it can ease co-habitants into the new culture so they can feel more integrated with wider society.  

(4) Eco-Anxiety

According to BUPA, there has been a 418% surge in Google searches for climate anxiety, with eco-anxiety also increasing by 238%. Our society is more and more aware of environmental issues. As designers, we want to focus on eco-friendlier life.  As a starter, living in a community is more sustainable than in the individual homes. We consume less when in groups. By sharing spaces and equipment we minimise carbon footprint. We believe that by appropriate interior design we can improve co-habitants' relationships with the environment. Using organic shapes, muted colours and naturally-made materials are effective techniques to bring nature inside which can help bring a feeling of calmness and reduce stress levels.

(5) Biophilia

Biophilia has been around for some time and for a reason! Plants have very calming effect on humans and can massively boost our productivity. They will make the space more relaxing, helping concentration and performance. They can support reducing Exo Anxiety and contribute to the creation of the space of identity. We believe it’s time to forget about carbon-emitting plastic plants and fully switch to the real ones. We often specify preserved green walls which are made of real plants, but do not require much maintenance. It’s a beautiful and natural way to bring greenery into interiors. 

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Final thoughts

It’s 2022, so well-being and environmental issues are on top of our agenda. We know for a fact, that living in a community brings massive value to both of them. There is a big spotlight on coliving properties at the moment and we believe it is just the beginning of a bigger shift in the way we live. Our mission is to add value to this change. We are constantly improving our interior design techniques that can help connect one with themselves, others and nature. To make everyone happier.