The Evolution of Social Housing Concepts in the 20th - 21st Centuries: From Workers’ Housing to Contemporary Forms of Collective Living

Abstract The evolution of social housing concepts in the 20th and 21st centuries reflects the shifting social, economic, and cultural conditions of their time. At the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries, numerous housing models for workers emerged as a response to the challenges of industrialization. Avant-garde architectural movements during the early 20th century, proposed innovative approaches to residential design, exemplified by house-communes and residential combines. The typology of the house-commune minimized personal space, prioritizing communal areas to foster a collectivist lifestyle and efficiency, while residential combines integrated individual apartments with spaces for communal living and cultural services. These typologies embodied the idea of societal transformation through architecture, emphasizing shared living, collective labour, and leisure organization. Contemporary forms of social housing, such as co-living spaces, cohousing communities, eco-districts, and neighbourhood collectives, retain elements of earlier typologies while adapting them to modern realities. These models emphasize voluntary participation, ecological sustainability, individual needs, and uphold traditions of social integration and collective management. The study highlights that the search for new collective housing forms has been particularly relevant during periods of political and sociocultural crises, reflecting efforts to address evolving societal challenges. These processes underscore the continuity and adaptability of architectural solutions, especially during times of social upheaval. For instance, the migration crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russian war against Ukraine have reignited the urgency of developing new forms of social housing. Thus, the evolution of social housing concepts reaffirms their importance as a tool for addressing contemporary challenges.