Introduction: Where we live shapes how we experience life. In many modern estates, residents live in flats with access to shared clubhouses and amenities. However, as urban living becomes more disconnected from nature, the question arises: Can we redesign community spaces to create a more self-sufficient and integrated lifestyle?
Innovations in Sustainable Living
One of the most promising developments in urban food production is farming without soil and using 90% less water. This technique, seen in cutting-edge hydroponic and aeroponic agriculture, allows communities to grow food efficiently in small urban spaces. Imagine if such technology were applied in our shared spaces—helping estates reduce reliance on imported goods while making fresh produce available to all residents.
This vision is partly inspired by the work of Michael Page, the professor who started 3×3 in the UK, an initiative focused on creating sustainable urban environments that promote community engagement and resource efficiency. His 3×3 Cube concept, as explored in his research (above YouTube video), demonstrates how compact, modular solutions can be applied to optimize space and resources. If this approach can be implemented through the 3×3 cube model, we can undoubtedly adapt similar principles within our community spaces.
The Current State of Estates My community already has a shared clubhouse with swimming pools, gyms, and recreational spaces. We also have a public garden with a greenhouse, where a gardener helps maintain fresh produce later used in the clubhouse café. Residents pay a service charge to maintain these amenities, yet there is room to create an even more meaningful and connected way of living.
Most of the residents here are retired, aged between 45 and 80. Many of them could benefit from stronger community ties, fresh food access, and meaningful engagement within the place they call home. What if we could design an integrated living system that combines 衣 (Clothes), 食 (Food), and 住 (Home) into a self-sustaining ecosystem?
Integrating 衣食住: A New Way to Live Instead of treating clothes, food, and home as separate needs, we can create a community-centred model that connects them sustainably and meaningfully.
- 衣 (Clothes) – Sustainable and Shared Fashion
- A clothing swap system where residents can exchange, donate, or repair clothing instead of over-consuming.
- Workshops on fabric upcycling and natural dyeing using plant-based colours from the community garden.
- Encouraging functional clothing designs that align with a more sustainable lifestyle.
- 食 (Food) – Growing & Eating Locally
- Expanding urban farming efforts within the community garden.
- Implementing a co-op meal system where residents contribute to and benefit from homegrown food.
- Using AI-driven meal planning to minimize food waste and optimize nutrition.
- Exploring farming without soil techniques to improve sustainability.
- 住 (Home) – Modular and Smart Living Spaces
- Encouraging balcony and vertical farming to bring food production closer to residents.
- Shared spaces for education on sustainability, wellness, and skill-sharing.
- Intelligent systems track and optimize resource use, ensuring an efficient and sustainable environment.
The Benefits of an Integrated System
- Stronger community ties: Instead of passive recreation, residents actively engage in shared experiences.
- Healthier and fresher food: Locally grown produce reduces dependency on imported goods.
- Sustainability and lower costs: Reducing waste and optimizing shared resources can offset service charges.
- Lifelong learning: Opportunities for children and seniors to exchange knowledge through hands-on education in gardening, crafting, and sustainable living.
Looking Ahead: Could This Be a Business Model? This could become a model for other estates beyond just a concept. What if service charges could be partially reinvested into community-driven sustainability initiatives? What if estates could partner with local farmers, artisans, and educators to create a modern yet self-sustaining lifestyle?
By integrating 衣食住, we improve daily life and redefine what it means to live in a community.
Would you live in a place like this? Share your thoughts!
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