Kollektivhuset Färdknäppen

Kollektivhuset Färdknäppen is a unique cohousing project located on Södermalm in Stockholm, Sweden. Built in 1993, it was designed for people in the "second half of life" - typically those over 40 without children at home. The building is owned by the municipal housing company Familjebostäder and contains 43 apartments ranging from 1-3 rooms. What sets Färdknäppen apart is its focus on creating a supportive community for older adults. Residents share approximately 350 square meters of common spaces, including a large kitchen, dining room, library, hobby rooms, and guest accommodations. A key feature is the shared weekday dinners, prepared by rotating cooking groups. This not only provides social connection but also helps reduce individual food costs and effort. The community is self-managed by residents, who handle tasks like cleaning common areas, basic maintenance, and gardening. Various interest groups have formed around activities like choir singing and art. This active participation helps create a vibrant social environment and allows residents to support each other as they age. Färdknäppen aims to demonstrate how communal living can enhance quality of life for older adults while reducing reliance on external care services. It has inspired several similar projects in Sweden and continues to be studied as a model for sustainable, community-oriented housing for seniors.