Micro Living

Housing is becoming increasingly expensive worldwide—especially for first-time buyers. Developers (and governments alike) are responding to this trend by offering increasingly smaller homes. This often happens under the banner of the ‘sharing economy’—the idea that sharing amenities is more sustainable and efficient and strengthens our communities.

Co-living and micro-living are two such models that are rapidly gaining ground in cities across the globe.

The first model—a hybrid of student housing and hotels where residents share facilities—focuses on fostering stronger communities through shared amenities. The second is based on minimizing the size of the home while maintaining functional living spaces for the resident.

The question, of course, is what the pros and cons of sharing amenities are, and how this contributes to a pleasant living environment. Moreover, the definition of ‘micro-housing’ is unclear; its meaning varies from country to country.

This study aims to provide an overview of the key factors that make micro-living and co-living projects high-quality living environments. Furthermore, the study examines the extent to which small-scale homes can create a sense of ‘home.’ A comparison of seven small-living concepts from around the world reveals four main themes at play: scale, shared facilities, community, and accessibility.