Precedent Analysis

Precendent Analysis

High Street House, London

Developers Tom and James Teatum designed a co-living model located in West London. The building features multiple smaller ‘homes’ within, mainly to seperate bedrooms. Other than this, the building is entirely shared by its residents, which includes a kitchen, dining room, laundry and library among other facilities. The model allows residents of all ages access to areas of socialising, relaxing, working and learning.1

The smaller homes within the building all feature an entirely unique aesthetic, allowing its residents to have some sense of ownership and individualism. Each is fitted with a bed platform and movable storage units to maximise internal space. Each apartment features deep-set windows and skylights, wood-lined walls with a partially enclosed bedroom area.2

Co-creator James Teatum states that most residents ‘typically come to London for a specific period of three to twelve months, to work or learn.’ The first residents of the High Street House arrived in late 2020. This set includes an 18 year old student as well as a couple in their 70s. One of the features making the High Street House unique among other co-living environments is its accessability to all ages. This is mainly due to its inclusion of seperate sleeping areas among shared spaces, making the living experience more dynamic among all ages.1

The High Street House is also a very affordable living option, with monthly rent starting at about $1625.2 In comparison, the average monthly rent for furnished accommodation in Australia exceeds $2,000.3 The low cost, paired with the social advantages of coliving, along with levels of privacy provided, makes living in the High Street House a unique co-living experience.

1. https://www.dezeen.com/2021/02/04/noiascape-high-street-house-co-living-teatum-teatum/ 2. https://www.we-heart.com/2021/01/12/high-street-house-noiascape-co-living-west-london/ (Fig.1-4) 3. https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/australia 5 Figure 1. A bedroom featuring integrated storage units

Figure 3. Curved stairway, further maximising space Figure 2. Rear entrance for the house

Figure 4. The building facade

One of the major motivators behind the creation of the High Street House was Tom and James’ ideas for maximising space, with James stating, ‘Look at how space is used, and more importantly, how it’s used everyday... There’s a finite amount of land, and we need to reuse what we’ve got. There’s a move toward higher buildings. We’re trying to reprogram them.’4 By creating smaller, more shared living areas, the designers have achevied this goal and created a unique, constantly evolvintg, co-living community.

Ideas in the High Street House that I may look to include in my design is how it provides its residents with some sense of ownership while still behing a co-living environment. While having seperate bedrooms may defeat some of the purpose, it is still important for residents to have some levels of privacy. It’s impressive use of space is another key feature that I will look to incorporate in my design, as well as it’s wholly unique aesthetic and use of colour.

While co-living is becoming a more and more viable living option with increasing innovation and a greater number of buildings, the High Street House stands out among the rest with it’s colourful yet purposeful design aimed at maximising space and providing the residents with a unique co-living experience.

Figure 5. Shared kitchen tucked into the wall Figure 6 Figure 7. A rendering of the High Street House

Figure 8. Facade of the repurposed building

4. https://archive.curbed.com/2018/4/19/17259262/london-apartment-colivingnoisacape-architecture (Fig.7) 5. https://www.dwell.com/article/city-studio-teatum-teatum-architects-londona89b8541 (Fig.5,6,8)