Junko Miyano Associate Professor Department of Architecture, School of Architecture Area of expertise：Department of Architecture, School of Architecture
New Lifestyle Options for Diverse Life Courses An Empirical Research of Collective House
New Lifestyle Options for Diverse Life Courses
With increasing numbers of people not marrying or marrying late, the progressively declining birthrate and aging population, and the waning of traditional social norms, there is a growing trend towards single-person households. According to a “national census” conducted in 2020, the ratio of single households was on the rise, standing at 38%, the highest percentage of any household type. Additionally, as society transitions to nuclear families and community ties weaken, the lack of support from their surroundings means that people are at increasing risk of social isolation, a phenomenon that is not only confined to single-person households but also extends to those consisting of “married couples” or “single parents”.
“Collective house” living
Against this social background, the “collective house” gains attention as a form of housing that accommodates diverse life courses, including single-person households, and fosters a sense of warm community. Collective house is a form of housing that offer communal living in both shared and private living spaces. They provide more privacy than shared house where kitchens and bathrooms are often shared, and allow interaction between people of all ages, from the young to the old. Associate Professor Miyano has investigated the actual state of collective house for several decades, focusing on introducing such facilities into society. She has conducted surveys in Sweden, the birthplace of collective house, and “Collective House Kankanmori,” a pioneering example of collective house in Japan, and of group living facilities for the elderly.
She says that the results show that collective house, a form of communal living that is not rooted in blood ties, offers new lifestyle options for single-person households as well as couples and single mothers. Additionally, this style of living shows promise as a way of increasing connections with local communities and improving quality of life through participation in local events.
Floor plan of “Collective House Kankanmori”
Towards the adoption of “collective house”
There are only around 10 examples of collective house in Japan, and there are many obstacles to its adoption. One of them may be due to Japan’s unique culture of “public stance”. While communal living requires residents to manage their affairs independently, in Japanese culture people tend not to be accustomed to expressing themselves openly, which may be an impediment to the spread of collective house. She concludes that “It is important to consider ways to address these issues”.
Looking to the future, she intends to conduct further research focusing on other countries where there are numerous examples of the implementation of collective house, and to work with local governments and real estate developers that are considering how to use vacant houses, with a view to bringing new collective house to Japan. Noting that life courses will probably continue to diversify further. She hopes to contribute to the creation of a society where everyone can live with peace of mind, by creating shared living spaces that promote active interaction between residents in response to changes in social structures.
Shared space
Independent private space
PROFILE
Received her PhD in Department of Urban Management at Kyoto University Graduate School. Worked at Takao Endo Architect Office, primarily engaged in planning, basic and detailed design, and on-site supervision of buildings, focusing on residential complexes. Prior to assuming her current position, was a researcher at the Hyogo Institute of Assistive Technology and a lecturer at the Department of Contemporary Life Design at Kyoto Koka Women’s University.
