Cohousing

Graduate Design Studio

Christina Bollo, Spring 2019

Loneliness and weak social connections are associated with a reduction in lifespan similar to that caused by smoking 15 cigarettes a day [1]. This studio explored an architectural solution to social isolation: Cohousing. Cohousing is an inte­­ntional community [2]  of people living in private homes with shared amenities and activities. This studio focused on the development of this complex housing program including extensive common area amenities through both research and design innovation. This was also a comprehensive studio: students integrated an architect’s knowledge of structure, enclosure, landscape, heating, cooling and lighting.

[1] Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review. PLoS medicine, 7(7), e1000316.

[2] "How cohousing can make us happier (and live longer)," Grace Kim, April 2017.