Milan 2016: car brand MINI has developed a concept for shared urban living and is "seriously exploring" how it can apply its brand values to help solve the housing shortage (+ slideshow).

The MINI Living installation in Milan includes a 30-square-metre apartment that could form part of a "micro-neighbourhood" of living spaces, with shared facilities within a larger residential building.
"This is a concept but we're very seriously exploring urban living and the effects of it," said Esther Bahne, head of brand strategy and business innovation at MINI.

"We live in Munich and living is a big problem, and we think with our design competence and our really creative thinking we can contribute to that."
Designed by Japanese architects from ON design, the wood-clad apartment features fold-out shelving modules that act as walls.
Amenities such as a kitchenette, workbench and music system are incorporated into these modules. When occupants want to be social, they can open them outwards and share their built-in facilities with other residents.
If the resident wants some privacy, the adaptable walls engineered by Arup can be shut to create a closed space again.
Shared living ? or co-living ? solutions are suddenly a hot topic as the shortage of affordable high-quality housing in cities forces people to explore alternatives to property ownership or traditional flat shares.

Bahne said that MINI's project was driven by research into its custome...