Social Cohesive Approach to High-density Communities: Co-living and Modular Integrated Construction as a Way Forward

Abstract

Limited land resources and dense population result in high living density in Hong Kong, where the current housing supply is not able to fulfill the growing housing demand, which leads to a crowded living environment and an elevated housing price. Thus, there is an urgent need to accelerate the delivery of new housing. Moreover, this high density living might increase psychological stress, due to the reduction in privacy and limited social interactions. Under these circumstances, creating co-living communities using the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) methods could be beneficial in addressing these issues. Co-living facilitates social interactions and reduces living costs through the sharing of living spaces, while applying the MiC method shortens the construction process, mitigates labour shortage and on-site pollution through its modularised design and off-site production.This study aims to introduce a framework of creating a co-living community, through the case study of a pilot co-living project called “InnoCell” located in Hong Kong and designed by Leigh & Orange Ltd. In this project, diversified communal services are integrated to accommodate the increasing needs for social activities in addition to providing shelter. MiC methods of construction are applied to the living units, which shorten the construction time, mitigate the noise and air pollution on site, allow better quality control and minimise substandard works through off-site production. Daylight and air ventilation conditions are also examined to evaluate the indoor environmental conditions. In micro and macro perspectives, InnoCell will not only influence the residents’ lifestyle, but is also likely to initiate a new trend of living in Hong Kong. This study introduces a well-considered co-living design framework with the application of MiC methods, which could be further explored in other regions, especially other high-density cities, e.g. New York, London, and Singapore, etc.