MINI Rethinks Urban Living

MINI is taking creative uses of space to the next level. With success in transportation, the car brand is now trying their hand at co-living. Through the application of their brand values, MINI intends to help solve the housing shortage through its MINI LIVING project.

The MINI LIVING installation addresses one of the largest challenges facing urban living currently — a shortage of attractive, affordable housing. This potential solution intends to introduce a new form of modern shared-living. Through this project, MINI hopes to create a compact footprint that acts as a place for privacy and community.

Multi-purpose shelves swing open and closed

Multi-purpose shelves swing open and closed

Each apartment is 30-square-meters and are part of a “micro-neighborhood” of living spaces, with shared facilities within a larger residential building. This concept is brought forward through a “fold-out shelving model”. Each shelving unit acts as a wall with amenities such as a kitchenette, a workbench, or a music system. These adaptable walls can be moved outwards to be shared with other residents, or turned inwards to create a closed private space for the resident.

Communal spaces are created through a sense of openness

Communal spaces are created through a sense of openness

As a private space, MINI LIVING creates security through the adoption of four walls. With the application and option of flexibility, the installations blur the boundaries between private and communal space. Residents, based on their mood, can choose to open themselves to others, or create their own privacy. This allows for the individual living space and its functions to be shared with the wider community. Residents are given the opportunity to experiment with the moving features, designing their own “open” and “closed” living spaces.

Sleeping area

Sleeping area

Occupants can share their kitchen communally or keep it private

Occupants can share their kitchen communally or keep it private

Through design competence and creative thinking, MINI is taking a holistic approach to the city and developing solutions that are relevant to the needs of people who live in the urban environment. In the end, they are working towards an improved urban living experience. Co-living functions like this explore alternatives to property ownership and traditional flat shares. Through this creative use of space solutions, MINI LIVING creates a community in “the comforts of your own home”. The MINI LIVING installation was on show during 2016’s Salone del Mobile in Milan.

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