The idea behind the model Gaining by Sharing is that you have everything you need in your private flat, but also have access to great communal facilities that you share with your neighbours. By sharing spaces and resources, you will gain more than if you lived on your own the traditional way.
Co-living
Gaining by Sharing is relevant both to developers and to those who want to live more sustainably. Sustainability includes physical solutions such as architecture and infrastructure, and the model also seeks to ensure the best possible quality of life and social relations among the residents. This type of co-living is seen in other countries, such as Denmark or Austria, but is relatively new in Norway.
Photo: Minna Soujoki
Photo: Geir Egil Bergjord
Homes for modern life
Vindmøllebakken is the first project built on this model. Initiated by architects Helen & Hard and property developers Kruse Smith, Indigo Growth and Gaia Trondheim, the model is a response to the standard way new homes are built, which often aren’t adjusted to how many people actually live their lives and their various needs.
Today’s residents might be modern families with my, your and our kids, a generation of elderly who are healthy and want to live at home longer, people who live alone and suffers from loneliness or people who just want to live more sustainable.
User involvement
In Vindmøllebakken, located in Stavanger’s exciting East area, people of different ages and life situations have been attracted to the idea of co-living, and the first residents moved in March 2019. By involving them from day one of the development, the residents have contributed to creating solutions they need and want together. This user involvement method builds trust and ownership to the community from the very beginning.
Photo: Sindre Ellingsen
Sharing resources
The project has a total of 40 environmentally friendly flats, built using sustainable materials such as structural timber and hemp-based insulation. In addition, the development contains large shared spaces that encourage social interaction between neighbours such as a garden room, rooftop terrace, family room, large communal kitchen, laundry room, storage room, greenhouse, guest rooms, amphitheatre, carpool and playground.
Facts
Vindmøllebakken in Stavanger: Developed by Kruse Smith, Helen & Hard, Indigo Growth and Gaia Trondheim.
