This book tells the story of communal living forms from about 1850 until the present day. The projects featured in this book are divided according to the motivations of their creators and users -economic, political, and social. The book also contains historical analysis and the identification of nine discrete development phases.

The author investigates and compares different forms of housing and the way they developed until today. She illustrates how shared living, including the assurance of privacy, is practiced in Europe.

Owing to its comprehensive documentation, the analysis of typologies, layout plans, and user and expert interviews, the book can also be seen as a handbook on communal living, offering a unique and detailed overview of this form of residential architecture.

The out-of-print first edition has now been republished in a new edition complete with a fresh design and layout.

Illustration of European communal housing concepts since 1850 Over 30 case examples on how and why people live together New edition of the standard work on collective living Also available in German: Eine Geschichte des gemeinschaftlichen Wohnens