How will younger generations cope with the paradigm shift between high apartment rents and the desire to live in cool urban neighborhoods?  

America will start to see more So-Lo (Single Occupants Living with Others) residential units, a term ODA Architecture created to define an alternative housing option.  The So-Lo living style is a blend of the Co-Living concept that has been popularized in Europe for decades and the communal living style popular on college campuses.  

So-Lo units differ from SRO (single room occupancy) in their leasing approach. In So-Lo, there is a single leaseholder who assumes responsibility and arranges to split the cost of rent with friends, or lease to strangers to offset rental costs. These approaches have been existing in cities organically for a long time, but the spaces were not always designed for this arrangement. So-Lo units address the public and private spaces in a common living situation for individuals who are newly acquainted. 

A conceptional design of this concept is sketched out below. The building could offer units with 2 bedroom (600-1000 SF) and 4 bedroom (2000 SF) options. A spacious and affordable living solution with close proximity to work and modern amenities. The So-Lo units share a kitchen and living area along with an outdoor terrace. An outside community garden and other outdoor amenities provide opportunities for neighbors to connect.