Cohousing-L Mailing List: teen apartments

[Grace Kim (grace]

Thanks Craig!  I was thinking the same thing.

While this is not a North American example, the Danes have teen
apartments in many of their communities.  And while their teens are
truly teens (15-18), the idea could certainly be adapted for young
adults who are college-aged but not moving onto schools/dorms.  I know
many 20-somethings that are interested in the same concept for
themselves now that they have graduated from school and want some
autonomy but don't necessarily want to be completely on their own.

 

The Danish teen apartments range in size and function so I'll provide
some general comments:

 

The teen apartments are studios (single occupancy) or suites (3 rooms
sharing kitchen, dining area, living room, and bathroom).  There were
other examples of two rooms sharing a kitchenette and bathroom.  (Think
of dorm room situations and it's about the same sizes/configurations.)

 

They are usually rented to teens that reside in the community but at
times when there aren't enough teens of age or interest, they are rented
to teens who reside in the surrounding neighborhoods. 

Rent seemed pretty nominal ($100-$300 depending on size and whether
meals were included.)  in some cases the parents paid for the rent, in
other cases the teens did (Required education in Denmark stops prior to
the US-equivalent 12th grade.  But they government pays for continued
education through university, providing a monthly stipend to incentivize
attendance.  This stipend is to help students offset housing/living
costs.)

 

There was often a time limit of 1 year (so that other teens in the
community could have a chance or they could be renewed if there was no
other interest.  At times when there were no teens in the community the
rooms were rented to artists in the community as studio space or to
single people waiting for a unit to come available for purchase
elsewhere in the community.

 

There is an artist co-op in Seattle that has a "dorm room" type of
scenario for young adults.  It's not cohousing, but has many similar
characteristics - common kitchens/lounges on each floor, strong sense of
community.  It's called Apex Co-op and is located at 1st & Bell in the
Belltown neighborhood of Seattle.

 

I have photos of some of these teen apartments if you'd like to see some
examples.  Contact me off line.

 

 

grace h. kim, aia

principal

 

schemata workshop

an architectural collaborative

159 western ave west, #483

seattle, wa 98119

v.206.285.1589

f.206.285.2701

www.schemataworkshop.com <http://www.schemataworkshop.com>