Architecture Social

Stephen Drew speaks with David Drews of Node Living about co-living architecture, shared amenities, flexible living, urban community, resident experience and what designers can learn from modern city living models.

Show Notes

Co-living sits between housing, hospitality, community and urban design. The design challenge is not just the private room, but how shared space and resident experience work together.

Stephen Drew speaks with David Drews of Node Living about co-living architecture, shared amenities, flexible living, urban community, operations and what designers can learn from modern city living models.

The conversation covers:

  • What co-living means and how it differs from traditional housing
  • Why shared amenities and private space need to be designed together
  • How resident experience affects the success of co-living projects
  • What architects and designers can learn from operational living models
  • How co-living connects to affordability, flexibility and city life

____

▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlD1wEA9AYU

📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/video/co-living-architecture-node-living-david-drews/

Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/

The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/

Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.

____

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to co-living architecture
  • 05:00 Co-working, flexible living and changing expectations after the pandemic
  • 10:00 Node Living and how co-living communities are set up
  • 15:00 Shared amenities, private space and resident experience
  • 20:00 Designing for urban community and everyday life
  • 25:00 Operations, management and making shared living work
  • 30:00 What architects and designers can learn from co-living
  • 35:00 Affordability, city living and future demand
  • 40:00 Closing thoughts on co-living and modern housing

Creators and Guests

Host
Stephen Drew
Hello! I’m Stephen Drew, Founder of the Architecture Social—an online community and resource hub dedicated to helping professionals in Architecture, Design, Development, and Real Estate advance their careers. I’m here to connect you with insights, tools, and opportunities that lead to meaningful growth, whether you’re just starting out or ready to take that next big step.

What is Architecture Social?

It is hard to get a job in architecture. We exist to help you get there. Hosted by Stephen Drew, Architecture Social is the unfiltered guide to the UK Built Environment. We decode the realities of the industry, provide actionable cheat codes for your career, and bridge the communication gap between the drafting board and the boardroom.

Whether you are a Part I assistant trying to survive your first role, a Part III architect managing complex procurement, or a Practice Director fighting tight margins and adapting to the Building Safety Act, this podcast is your central node of intelligence. We strip away the aesthetic gatekeeping and toxic positivity to talk about the actual mechanics of the business.

Expect honest conversations about salary realities, portfolio strategies, hiring economics, and the true experiences of the people actively shaping the profession.

No fluff, just the reality of practice.