What is a share house for creators?
A share house for creators is a place where people who are engaged in creative activities, such as designers, engineers, video creators, and writers, gather and live together. Unlike a typical share house, it is characterized by having an environment and facilities suitable for creative work. Another attraction is that there is active interaction between residents, which can lead to skill improvement and job opportunities.
Features of a share house for creators
Share houses for creators have special facilities and mechanisms that are not found in regular share houses. For example, the following features can be mentioned:
- Fully-equipped workspace: High-speed Wi-Fi, shared offices, and meeting rooms are available.
- Facilities for creators: There may be photo and video studios, 3D printers, and PCs with design software.
- A space for collaboration: Like-minded residents can start projects and share ideas.
- Optimize cost of living: You can secure a comfortable working environment at a lower cost than renting an individual office in the city center.
- Holding events and study sessions: Study sessions and networking events exclusive to residents are held regularly, which may lead to business opportunities.
Differences from a normal share house
When comparing a regular share house with a share house for creators, a major point to note is whether or not the share house has an environment specialized for work and creative activities.
The greatest feature of share houses for creators is that they offer the ideal living environment for people who want to live a comfortable life while doing creative work.
What kind of creators live there?
Shared houses for creators bring together professionals and freelancers active in a variety of fields.
Specifically, the following types of people tend to live here:
- Designer (Graphics/UI/UX): A creator who works on web design and app development.
- Engineers/Programmers: There are many engineers working for IT startups or as freelancers, making it an ideal place to exchange information.
- Video creators and photographers: Creators who edit videos and take photographs use a shared house with a studio.
- Writers and editors: Freelance writers and editors move in looking for a work environment where they can concentrate.
- Music creators and artists: In share houses with soundproofing facilities, many people are involved in music production.
A major attraction of share houses for creators is that bringing together such a diverse range of creators increases the opportunities for new businesses and projects to be born.
The benefits of living in a share house for creators
The share house for creators offers the perfect living environment for people who create things, such as designers, engineers, video creators, and writers.
It's not just a place to live together, but it also has the benefit of increasing work efficiency, improving skills, and expanding your network.
Creating interaction between creators
In a share house for creators, like-minded people gather together and collaboration and information exchange naturally occur. For example,
- Designer and engineer hit it off and jointly develop a new web service
- Video creators collaborate with writers to create content for YouTube channels
- Residents can teach each other skills and create a place to learn
The biggest attraction is being able to absorb stimulation and ideas in your daily life that you wouldn't get if you were working alone.
An environment where it is easy to share work and skills
A share house for creators provides an environment that makes it easy to share work and skills. For example,
- Coworking space: An environment where it's easier to concentrate than at a cafe or home
- High-speed Wi-Fi available: Smooth online meetings and video uploads
- Utilizing shared facilities: The facility is equipped with equipment that would be difficult for individuals to have, such as a photography studio, 3D printers, and a soundproof room for playing musical instruments.
Another attractive feature is that residents sometimes ask each other for work, which increases your chances of winning projects.
A space that's conducive to inspiration
In a share house, you have many opportunities to interact with creators from different fields, which makes it easier to come up with new ideas. For example,
- Designers are influenced by music creators and learn new ways of expression
- Video creators will talk with engineers to create works that utilize VR and AI.
- A freelance writer writes articles about the knowledge he gained in a share house
It can be a place where unique creativity is born not only through individual skills but also by combining them with different industries.
Disadvantages and points to note about share houses for creators
While shared houses for creators provide an environment that makes it easy to balance work and life, there are also disadvantages and things to be aware of.
It is important to carefully compare the advantages and disadvantages while considering whether the living environment is right for you.
Privacy can be difficult to maintain
Since living in a share house involves communal living, it can be difficult to find time to yourself.
In particular, in shared houses where most work is done in open spaces, frequent contact with other residents can make it difficult to concentrate.
countermeasure
- Choose a share house with private rooms (consider properties with private rooms over dormitories)
- Decide the time of day when you can concentrate (work at a time that suits you, such as morning or night)
- Share work rules with other residents (wearing headphones, using work spaces, etc.)
Troubles due to differences in lifestyle
Many people who live in share houses for creators have a reversed day and night lifestyle.
For example, residents' daily rhythms tend to be all over the place, with video creators working late into the night and writers being morning people.
countermeasure
- Check the atmosphere of the property's residents in advance
- If you are concerned about noise, choose a share house with soundproofing facilities
- Check the living rules in advance and discuss any concerns you may have before moving in.
There is a lot of turnover of residents
In a share house, there is often a high turnover of residents.
Even if you do meet a creator you get along with, they may move away after a short period of time.
countermeasure
- Check the contract period and choose a property with as many long-term residents as possible.
- Use online communities to stay connected after you move out
- Participate in regular meet-ups and events to build relationships with new residents
The boundaries between work and private life tend to become blurred
Working in a shared house can make it hard to switch between work and leisure.
An environment where you can always talk about work is attractive, but it may mean you don't have any time to relax.
countermeasure
- Separate work and relaxation areas
- Set aside time to work outside (at a cafe or co-working space)
- Make time to not talk about work with your housemates
Recommended share houses for creators
A share house for creators is a communal living space where people engaged in creative activities, such as designers, engineers, and artists, can gather. By interacting with others who share the same goals and interests, you can expect to improve your skills and create new projects. Below, we introduce recommended share houses for creators in the Tokyo and Kansai areas.
Share house for creators in the Tokyo area
HOUSE IS is a shared house exclusively for creators located in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. Creators from a variety of fields, including photographers, video creators, illustrators, and writers, gather here. In the shared spaces, residents actively collaborate and exchange information, creating an environment that is inspiring and creative.
Conveniently located just an 8-minute walk from Shibuya Station, Okusib is a shared house that brings together a diverse range of creators, including IT entrepreneurs, media art creators, video directors, and architects. Utilities and internet fees are included in the rent, and the house also comes equipped with a co-working space. It's economical, yet offers great facilities.
Graphium House, located a 12-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station, is a shared house where creators from various industries gather. The appeal of this shared space is the environment where new ideas and projects are born through interaction.
Share house for creators in the Kansai area
Located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Iori Lab is a shared house with an atelier and soundproof room for young creators. It is located in an area where craft, art, and design schools are concentrated, creating an environment that makes it easy for residents to interact and collaborate with each other. It opened in March 2020 and features white cube-like private rooms and a spacious atelier.
Laurel is a large community apartment building in the Nishinari area of Osaka, available from 32,000 yen per month. Young people and creators of the same generation gather here, forming a community of 80 rooms in total. Residents actively interact with each other through shared spaces and events.
How to choose a share house for creators
When choosing a share house for creators, it is important to carefully check whether the living environment suits your lifestyle and work.
Use the following points as a guide to choose the share house that's best for you.
Check the cost and contract type
Make sure that the rent includes utilities and Wi-Fi fees. Many properties do not require a deposit or key money, but some have a guarantee or minimum contract period. It is also important to check whether the property allows short-term contracts and whether there are any penalties for mid-contract cancellations.
Be sure to check the rules when moving out to avoid unnecessary expenses. It's important to choose a share house that fits your budget while considering the balance between rent and facilities.
Shared spaces and facilities
Make sure the workplace has a comfortable working environment: fast Wi-Fi is a must, individual desks and spacious co-working spaces are important, and check whether the company has special equipment for creators, such as a photography studio, soundproof rooms or 3D printers.
Check the cleanliness and ease of use of the living room, kitchen, and shower room to ensure a comfortable life. Facilities vary depending on the property, so choose an environment that suits your work style.
Resident demographics and community atmosphere
Make sure to check whether the share house is one where residents can actively interact with each other, or whether it is a quiet environment where you can work. The atmosphere can change greatly depending on the occupation of the residents, such as designers, engineers, video creators, etc. Properties that frequently hold events and study sessions are a good place to expand your network of contacts.
On the other hand, if you want to concentrate on your work, it is recommended that you choose a property that prioritizes work environment over interaction.
Comfortable working environment
If you plan to work for long periods of time, make sure you have a comfortable desk and chair. It is also important to have a space for online meetings and a quiet environment to work. If you are concerned about noise while working, check whether there are soundproofed rooms or private rooms.
Small details such as securing a power source, brightness of lighting, and ventilation are also important. Choose an environment that suits your work style to increase your work productivity.
Location and easy access
Be sure to check the distance from the nearest station and access to major areas. The closer you are to the city center, the easier it is to commute to work or have meetings, but rent tends to be higher. Having cafes, convenience stores, and supermarkets nearby makes life more convenient.
If you often work late into the night, it's a good idea to check the area's public safety as well. Choose an area where you can live comfortably for a long time while considering the balance between the comfort and convenience of the living environment.
summary
The appeal of share houses for creators is that they provide an environment that makes it easy to balance work and life, and provide opportunities for creators to interact with each other and improve their skills. It is important to choose a property that suits you, taking into consideration not only the benefits but also the disadvantages such as differences in privacy and lifestyle. Find the perfect share house by checking the comfortable workspace, facilities, atmosphere of the residents, cost, location, etc., and realize a creative lifestyle.
