The Four Pillars
Understanding the Core Building Blocks of Thriving Communities
The Four Pillars define the core elements of any shared living environment, ensuring that spaces function effectively, remain operationally sustainable, and enhance the resident experience. Whether a basic shared housing setup or a fully structured coliving community, these pillars provide a universal framework for designing, managing, and scaling shared living spaces.
Each pillar is supported by three Building Blocks, which provide the practical components that bring the Blueprint to life.
People
Who We Live With
This pillar defines the individuals, collective identity, and culture that shape the living experience. It ensures that the right people come together in an environment that aligns with shared values, expectations, and norms.
Building Blocks:
◽ Individual: Understanding resident personas, motivations, and needs to ensure compatibility.
◽ Collective: Defining the group’s shared identity, common interests, and goals.
◽ Culture: Establishing the values, norms, symbols, language, and rituals that guide daily interactions.
➡️ For coliving, communities are often built around a shared mission or purpose, with structured cultural elements that foster belonging.
Space
Where We Live
The physical environment plays a crucial role in how effectively people share space. Whether adapting an existing home or designing a purpose-built environment, shared living must balance privacy, functionality, and shared resource use.
Building Blocks:
◽ Fit: Ensuring the space layout supports resident needs, from private rooms to shared common areas.
◽ Form: Designing for comfort and usability, making shared spaces inviting and functional.
◽ Function: Structuring spaces to support efficient cohabitation, including practical amenities.
➡️ For coliving, spaces are intentionally designed with flexible layouts, common areas, and features that encourage collaboration and interaction.
Program
How We Live (and Thrive Together!)
This pillar defines the resident journey and how people experience daily life in a shared space. Whether structured or organic, a well-designed program ensures that residents engage with both the space and each other, creating a sense of comfort, belonging, and continuity.
Building Blocks:
◽ Discovery: Onboarding processes that help residents integrate and navigate shared living.
◽ Engagement: Designing an experience that fosters meaningful interactions, whether through structured activities or organic moments of connection.
◽ Continuation: Maintaining long-term engagement, ensuring residents feel supported throughout their stay.
➡️ For coliving, programs are often more structured, with curated experiences, community events, and ongoing facilitation.
Platform
How We Make It Work
A shared living arrangement requires operational systems that ensure the space runs smoothly, remains fair and structured, and can scale over time.
Building Blocks:
◽ Trust: Creating transparency, accountability, and shared agreements.
◽ Rules: Establishing clear governance, decision-making, and operational policies.
◽ Tools: Implementing systems for maintenance, finances, and shared responsibilities.
➡️ For coliving, a higher level of structure is often needed to support communal decision-making, deeper engagement, and shared experiences, as these introduce more complexity and require clear agreements and processes.
The Hierarchy of Principles
A Structured Framework for Scalable Shared Living
The Shared Living Principles define the core values that ensure shared living is functional, intentional, and impactful. These guiding principles shape the Shared Living Blueprint™, providing the foundation for the Four Pillars and influencing how shared living spaces are designed, operated, and scaled.
The Pyramid of Shared Living Principles illustrates how these principles build upon each other, transforming shared living from a basic housing model into a structured, purpose-driven movement.
Shared Living Essentials
The Foundation of Any Shared Housing Model
These core principles enable any shared living arrangement—roommates, co-housing, or early-stage coliving models—to function effectively and form the basis of the Shared Living Blueprint™.
◽ Accessibility: Shared living must be financially, socially, and physically accessible, with affordable pricing, reduced barriers, and inclusive policies.
◽ Adaptability: Successful shared living isn’t about perfect compatibility but flexible systems that allow diverse people to coexist.
◽ Functionality: Clear governance, structured responsibilities, and operational systems ensure stability and efficiency.
➡️ Without these, shared living remains unstable and unscalable.
Coliving Essentials
What Elevates Shared Living into True Coliving
These principles define coliving and are integrated into the Coliving Blueprint™ to create structured, purpose-driven communities.
◽ Intentionality: A clear mission, values, and resident experience create a cohesive, purpose-driven environment.
◽ Community: Strong coliving communities are built through engagement, shared activities, and a culture of mutual support.
➡️ Without these, coliving is just shared housing.
Shared Aspirations
What Makes Coliving a Vehicle for Long-Term Impact
These principles guide the Coliving Blueprint™ toward broader social and environmental transformation.
◽ Sustainability: Reducing environmental harm while ensuring social sustainability with strong governance and inclusive policies.
◽ Wellness: Supporting physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing through intentional design and holistic support.
◽ Impact: Acting as a catalyst for urban innovation, social change, and scalable housing solutions.
➡️ Without these, coliving remains a great housing solution—but not a movement for change.
Put the Blueprint to Work
From Framework to Action
The Shared Living Canvas™
Design. Optimize. Scale.
A framework is only as effective as its application. The Shared Living Canvas™ is a structured tool designed to help stakeholders bring the Shared Living Blueprint™ to life.
Incorporating the Four Pillars, Building Blocks and Principles, this adaptable resource will guide you in designing, optimizing, and scaling shared living projects—whether it's coliving, co-housing, or another shared housing model.
Join my Newsletter below to stay up to date!
Who It Is For
Your Role in the Coliving Ecosystem
Property Developers
Materialize your Vision
Turn your development projects into successful coliving communities using proven frameworks.
Entrepreneurs
Launch with Confidence
Start your coliving venture on solid ground with structured guidance every step of the way.
Property Owners
Unlock Your Property's Potential
Transform your real estate into vibrant shared living spaces that maximize both social and financial returns.
Coliving Operators
Elevate your operations
Perfect your systems and resident experience while preparing for sustainable growth.
Community Managers
Build Thriving Communities
Create engaging experiences and foster genuine connections with practical frameworks.
Investors
Make Informed Decisions
Evaluate opportunities and ensure your coliving investments are built for success.
Join my Network
Building the Coliving Ecosystem Together
The future of shared living is being shaped by pioneers like you.
Whether you're a developer, operator, investor, or service provider, we all play a vital role in evolving this industry. I'm always eager to connect with forward-thinking professionals who share this vision.
Let's explore how we might exchange insights, collaborate on projects, create referral partnerships and strengthen our ecosystem together. Every connection enriches our community and expands what's possible in coliving. Share your vision with me, and let's explore how we might work together.
Stay Ahead with the Coliving Pulse
The Bi-Weekly Newsletter for Coliving Enthusiasts, Innovators, Operators & Investors
Actionable Insights | Industry Trends | Expert Strategies
Get the latest in shared living delivered straight to your inbox every other Wednesday, including:
✅ Expert Take: Diving into emerging coliving trends, key challenges, and breakthrough innovations from industry leaders.
✅ Pro Tips & Tools: Practical strategies and proven techniques for creating successful, sustainable shared living communities.
✅ Big Questions & Bold Ideas: Thought-provoking insights and forward-thinking concepts shaping the future of coliving worldwide.
Sign up today for FREE. First edition is going out March 5!
