It has been an absolute pleasure for B-Hive Living CEO Williams Johnson Mota to share our vision, story and ethos in the latest interview with Caterina Maiolini at Coliv.
B-Hive Living was created out of the ambition to proactively build homes, communities and shape experiences supporting the holistic health and wellbeing of a growing generation of renters. We believe in building nourishing shared living environments that foster connection and elevate lifestyle and wellness of residents. We drive social change by exploring and promoting the concept of living well and placing it at the heart of our coliving design.
Listen to this episode on Spotify to hear more from our CEO Williams Johnson Mota. He shares our passion for coliving, how B-Hive Living started, what is our vision and why we believe coliving is not only the present but the future of living.
This comes on a timely week – we have been recognised as one of the best coliving operators in the UK. Dreams come true to those that follow their purpose.
B-Hive Living is a wellness-focused coliving brand operating properties in Bicester and Oxford, UK. We believe in building nourishing shared living environments that foster connection and elevate lifestyle and wellness of residents. We drive social change by exploring and promoting the concept of living well and placing it at the heart of our coliving design.
We are delighted to be featured in the top 7 of the UK’s best coliving spaces by Stay The Night this week.
The coliving concept has been growing rapidly in popularity over the past few years. In a world that is becoming increasingly lonely for many – particularly among younger generations – the coliving concept creates a sense of belonging that so many are seeking. Operating as a place for people to live, work and play, members can become part of a connected and engaged community while enjoying the convenience of flexible living (without the frustrations of a typical flatshare). You can read more about the benefits of coliving here.
But who is leading the way in the UK? Stay The Night has listed 7 of the UK’s best coliving spaces, with B-Hive Living among them. The unique character of B-Hive Living is the mission to drive social change by constantly exploring and promoting the concept of living well and placing it at the heart of our coliving design. We build nourishing shared living environments that foster connection and elevate the lifestyle and wellness of our residents.
B-Hive Living is a coliving brand operating properties in Oxford and Bicester, UK. We believe in building nourishing shared living environments that foster connection and elevate lifestyle and wellness of residents. We drive social change by exploring and promoting the concept of living well and placing it at the heart of our coliving design.
Our Hivers are an eclectic bunch of awesome individuals from all walks of life and corners of the globe. They are open-minded professionals, entrepreneurs and digital nomads who share a lust for living well. To give you a little more insight on who your actual potential coliving flatmates are, we interviewed one of our residents – Ben.
Hello, my name is Ben and I am originally from Derby in the Midlands – UK. When I was 19 y.o. I joined the royal air force for 6 years and I was deployed on different missions including Afghanistan and the Folkland Islands where I was in charge of delivering aviation fuel to the front line aircrafts. After returning to the UK I worked in logistics and then had a career change into construction management. I am currently project leader overseeing the construction on a military base in Oxfordshire. Health, nutrition and fitness are my biggest passions.
Have you lived in shared living spaces before? What made you choose coliving and our Hives as your home?
Before joining B-Hive Living I lived in different shared accommodations but the experience was not the same. This is because I didn’t find a community I belonged to. My coliving flatmates were simply not on the same page in life. Joining the Hive has been very refreshing. I feel a sense of belonging to the community here, my coliving flatmates are friendly, sociable and we all share a positive attitude to life. As soon as I entered the Hive I knew it was for me. The space was immaculate, and that for me is paramount to live a positive lifestyle.
How would you describe coliving as opposed to other types of accommodation you previously experienced?
The curated community of coliving flatmates is what makes coliving – or at least B-Hive Living – a different experience compared to other shared accomodations. The space itself is impeccable, modern, completely designed around the need of shared living, the facilities are fantastic and the team is always available in case any issue arises or help is needed. But the community, the support network you find in coliving flatmates is what makes it different.
What is your favourite part of the Hive and why?
Beyond our outdoor gym, my favourite part of the Hive is definitely the fire pit area in the garden. We enjoyed it a lot especially during the long summer nights, with music, some drinks and my fellow Hivers. You completely feel transported to a holiday place, just sitting there and looking at the sky, feeling the warmth and magic of the fire makes me feel on holiday and help me disconnect and relax.
Talking about healthy living, veganism is one of your big passions. Tell us how you started.
I am passionate about veganism, and for me this is very much linked to animal welfare. I simply do not want to contribute to any animal cruelty. About 3 years ago, some of my family members were vegan and I started to become used to having a vegan meal when going out with them. At the time I was also working near a dairy farm and I saw something that made me feel very uncomfortable. It was a trigger point, the moment when I decided I would become vegan.
I am at the gym every day and before becoming vegan my diet consisted of meat every day. It was a drastic change but I don’t miss it at all, my motivation is stronger than any desire. And it is encouraging to see more and more restaurants offering vegan options. I went to the Ivy in London last weekend and I was impressed with their full vegan menu.
What are some of the benefits in following a vegan diet? What are some of your top tips for someone wanting to become vegan?
When I become vegan my energy level went through the roof, I was waking up at 5 AM every day, full of energy, rarely feeling tired or sick. I think a vegan diet has a massive effect on your immune system.My change was drastic but for some people it might start by limiting meat days. There are so many meat replacement products available in the market (plant-based steaks, sausages, burgers or even bacon) or alternative such as falafel or tofu. My suggestion would be:
Go plant based for 3 days a week and check your energy level and if you feel any different.
Keep a record. Give yourself a rate (from 1 to 10) for the day. Then compare meat days versus vegan days. If you have a smart watch it can also help you keep track of your physical condition.
Vegan food can be tasty. My top dishes are vegan pizza (with vegan cheese or vegan sausages) during the weekend and stir fry during the week. You can mix it with some rice, different grains, all sort of vegetables, tofu, meat replacement products, anything just experiment. For breakfast I tend to start the day with oat mixed with protein powders… my “gym meal”.
Talking about fitness, what are your top recommendations for simple home exercises to boost our fitness every day?
High-intensity interval training (or HIIT), is a great way to build your fitness level in a short period of time. With HIIT you can alternate short periods of intense anaerobic exercise (pushups, star jumps, burpees) with less intense recovery periods, until too exhausted to continue. 20 minutes are enough to start building good stamina and strength.
You exercise for 45 seconds then rest for 15 seconds. Start with 3 exercises and repeat them for 15/20 minutes. Aim to add one additional exercise every week.
Running helps increase your fitness level but it’s not for everyone, especially if you have any injuries or knee problems. What I like of interval trainings is that you can exercise as much as running in a similar amount of time. (15 min run = 25 min HIIT), plus you get a lot of transferrable skills that you can use in other activities, like gardening for example.
What’s the most unexpected thing you discovered about yourself or coliving being in a Hive?
Good question….well I have to admit I realised I am quite a neat freak. I think this comes from my years in the army. The first job of the day in military is to make your own bed and make it well. It starts the day off right. It might be a small accomplishment, but making the bed sets the tone for the entire day. I also love to decorate my room with plants, I think this is a very simple but smart way to boost your happiness and health levels indoor.
Would you recommend B-Hive Living to a friend? Why?
Definitely! I have no doubt you will find an amazing community here and a sophisticated but functional environment you can call home.
B-Hive Living is a coliving brand redefining the concept of living well for a more connected, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.
Coliving Insights, the leading coliving media platform, released its third edition of the Coliving Insights publication on September 30th. Entitled “Impact & Sustainability in Coliving”, this 170+ page edition explores what Impact and Sustainability means in a coliving context.
At B-Hive Living we’re delighted to contribute to this pioneering edition of the Coliving Insights Magazine on Impact & Sustainability. Coliving is at the cross roads. While it has undeniable potential to make a positive contribution to society, the strategy must remain true to its core values to deliver on its potential. In our article, our co-founders Williams Johnson Mota and Silvia Grattieri reflect on our story and how finally our “design for wellness living” vision is being recognised and embraced as the future of housing.
This edition also features a variety of 30+ contributors, a cover story around the “Social Value in Coliving” and shines light on the most innovative frameworks on social value assessment. Some of the topics covered include:
B-Hive Living is a coliving brand operating properties in Oxford and Bicester, UK. We believe in building nourishing shared living environments that foster connection and elevate lifestyle and wellness of residents. We drive social change by exploring and promoting the concept of living well and placing it at the heart of our coliving design.
Our Hivers are an eclectic bunch of awesome individuals from all walks of life and corners of the globe. They are open-minded professionals, entrepreneurs and digital nomads who share a lust for living well and together they create a common sense of belonging. To give you a little more insight on who your actual potential coliving flatmates are, we interviewed one of our residents – Fania.
Hello, my name is Fania, I am 25 y.o. and I am African-Japanese from Birmingham. My dad is from the Republic of Togo in Africa and my mum is half Togolese and half Japanese. I was born in Sweden, I lived in Japan between the age of 2 and 5, and then moved to France where I spent my childhood until the age of 10 when my family moved to the UK. French is my first language but I also speak English and Japanese. I moved to the Hive in May this year when I started to work as a trainee business manager for Boots No.7 while growing my own clothing label Svciety. Fashion is literally my passion and I live and breathe it. I also love anything related to beauty and art. If you see me sketching with pen and paper you know I am in my zone.
How would you describe coliving as opposed to other types of accommodation you previously experienced?
Every day I work long hours between my trainee job and building my fashion brand and it’s really hard to find time to go out and meet new people. I find coliving and B-Hive Living specifically a great solution for people moving to a new area given the ability to meet many new people straight away and they become friends and your family away from home. The community at B-Hive is really well curated and people are able to connect very easily. I do not think you can experience the same level of social connection in other types of accommodation. Beyond the people who live in my Hive, I also have the opportunity to connect with the broader Hive Community thanks to our monthly calendar of events. This makes it easy to feel a sense of belonging and connection despite being in a completely new place.
What is your favourite part of your Hive home and why?
As soon as I walked in the Hive I fell in love with the space. Creativity is a big part of my life and I could immediately breath it when I walked in. Everything excites me in the space and you can tell from the colour schemes used to the use of natural materials, plants and lighting that the space was designed with the intention of enhancing people’s wellbeing and sense of belonging.
Talking about your passion for fashion, when did you start? What excites you most in fashion?
My mum worked as a tailor and as a little girl I grew up learning this beautiful craft from her. I recall always trying to get hold of leftover pieces of fabric to design clothes for my dolls. From there came my desire to launch a label as I wanted to wear my own stuff.
When I was 13, I started to play online games that helped design products and style different online characters. That’s how I practiced and developed my skills. My parents didn’t allow me to study fashion, so I studied business instead and launched Svciety in 2016 in partnership with my brother Fareed Toure. Svciety is a a streetwear label developing clothes for everyone, unisex, no age, no gender, for all members of society.
I am the lead designer and often traveled to New York fashion week, as well as London and Paris to get inspiration and often found myself thinking: ”One day soon we will be here”. We have had great success with Svciety pop up stores in Birmingham and London and people loved the brand. 2020 was supposed to be a big year for us with plans for game-changing shows in Berlin, Milan and Paris and upcoming collaborations with artists such as PsychoYP and Pa Salieu. Unfortunately, some of our plans have had to be put on hold by this pandemic, but at the same time we invested a lot of energy in stepping up our online retail and we’re excited about our future prospects.
What’s the most unexpected thing you discovered about yourself or coliving being in the Hive?
I have always been a quiet and reserved person, sometimes lacking a bit of confidence to socialise and normally arriving at home and preferring the comfort of my own room. But since living at the Hive I’ve noticed a big change in my personality. I realise that I’ve become more eager to socialise with other residents for hours, sitting in the garden, enjoying a meal or doing activities with them. Thanks to this experience I’m glad that I feel much more opened and willing to connect with others. I’ve found my sense of belonging in this community. And that’s a great feeling for me!
Would you recommend B-Hive Living to a friend? Why?
Absolutely! I am pretty sure that if any of my creative friends would walk through the door, they would immediately love the cool vibe and energy of this space.
B-Hive Living is a coliving brand redefining the concept of living well for a more connected, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.
Our Hivers are an eclectic bunch of awesome individuals from all walks of life and corners of the globe. They are a diverse community of open-minded professionals, entrepreneurs and digital nomads who share a lust for living well. To give you a little more insight on who your actual potential coliving flatmates are, we interviewed one of our residents – Gina.
Hello! My name is Gina and I come from Taiwan, a small island in Pacific Ocean near China and Japan. We are famous of our juicy fruits and wonderful iconic Taiwanese food. Born in a country with lots of great food, I’m no doubt a food lover. Beyond great food the other thing I can’t live without is Music. I listen to different kind of music: pop, R&B, hip hop, EDM, jazz. One of the reasons why I decided to move to the UK is the ability to easily fly to big music festival events such as “Tomorrowland” in Belgium and Ibiza. I love exercise, too (so that I can be ready for my next meal!.) Since I moved to the UK I tried so many new different activities like spinning, CrossFit, Barry’s bootcamp, F45 and weight lifting.
To me, the world is like a big amusement park waiting to be explored. That’s why life gets interesting, funny and sometimes scary! You never know what will happen next. Maybe I will find myself learning Greek and living on a Greek island for a month soon!
Have you lived in a shared living space before? What made you choose coliving/our Hives as your home?
In the past I lived in a shared space with other three girls, but we didn’t have many common areas to share. And due to different working time, we hardly saw each other every day. The reason why I chose coliving is the chance to know people from different countries and learn different cultures. Even the food!
How would you describe coliving as opposed to other types of accommodation you previously experienced?
Coliving is much more fun and you can build more connections. What makes coliving great is not just the space but the diverse community of people and the social connections you can build with them. It’s what you can call social capital!
What is your favourite part of your Hive home and why?
No doubt on that : my brilliant housemates. They are the nicest people I met since I moved to the UK.
In your Hive space you are more…
Coffee or Tea? Neither, Wine or Hot Chocolate
Quiet housemate or social animal? I should be a social animal but I am still working on my English
More at your room or a particular common area? More at my room or cooking in the kitchen.
How would describe your “Hivemates”? What difference did they make to your life?
They are AWESOME. I have the chance to share their cultures, their different professional backgrounds and experiences and I hope in one year they will make a big difference on my English accent and make it even more British.
What’s the most unexpected thing you discovered about yourself or coliving being in a Hive?
In my Hive we have weekly dinners with all the Residents each Tuesday. I never thought I could cook for more than a few people but I’m very glad that I made it and they all enjoyed some Taiwanese food such as braised pork rice, stinky tofu, beef noodles and oyster omelette.
Yes, for sure. If you would like to meet people from other countries and live in a vibrant international English-speaking community – the Hives are really the best place to stay. You have flexibility in your contract, all bills inclusive and a truly great diverse community that will enrich your experience.
B-Hive Living is a coliving brand redefining the concept of living well for a more connected, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.
Welcome to the biggest hub of motor racing in the world: the Motorsport Valley. Also known as Silicon Fen, Motorsport Valley® refers to the cluster of firms based around Oxfordshire and the Midlands involved in supplying cutting-edge technology to Formula One, Formula E and many other motorsport sectors. They dominate the design and manufacture of components used in the majority of the world’s racing categories today.
The valley is also home to some of the world’s biggest and most recognised racing teams. It’s within the geography of this valley that science and technology take the forefront in pioneering the next big innovations in motorsports. The UK has won more Formula One titles than any other nation in history!
Itching for a taste of what the Motorsport Valley has to offer? Don’t worry, we got you covered! Here is a list of key unmissable motorsport experiences and events in the area and the UK.
1. Goodwood Members Meeting
Goodwood Motor Circuit, ~ Early-April
A weekend of thrilling racing and demonstrations from the finest historic and modern cars accompanied by a tremendous outdoor party with live music, stunning fireworks and a buzzing food market. More info here.
2. Formula 1 British GP
Silverstone, ~ Mid-July
Silverstone plays hosts every year to a race that’s the apex of all motorsports: Formula 1. The weekend also sees itself hosting the Formula 2 & Formula 3 races. More info here.
3. Hagerty’s Festival of the Unexceptional
Buckinghamshire, ~Mid-July
Hagerty’s Festival of the Unexceptional celebrates the cars that were the workhorses of their day: the base model saloons, hatchbacks and estates that were sold in their millions between roughly 1968 and 1989, and are now so rare. More Info.
4. Silverstone Classic
Silverstone, ~Late-July
The weekend provides spectacular historic motor racing, free access to the paddocks and grandstands, displays from over 100 car clubs featuring more than 10,000 classic cars, plus interactive driving activities and dynamic demonstrations. More Info
5. MotoGP British Grand Prix
Silverstone, ~Late August
Silverstone will play hosts to the British round of the MotoGP world championship in what promises to be an incredible 2019 season. The MotoGP race at Silverstone will be the pinnacle of two-wheel racing in the UK in 2019. More Info
6. FIA World Endurance Championship
Silverstone, Dates vary every year
The 4 Hours of Silverstone is a great opportunity to witness the Spirit of Le Mans in the United Kingdom. Expect more cars, more racing, famous drivers and lots to see and do on and off track! More Info
7. Goodwood Revival
Goodwood, ~Early September
Every September the Revival recreates the golden era of Goodwood Motor Circuit, between 1948 and 1966. This extraordinary event assembles the most significant racing cars and motorcycles along with legendary drivers and riders from the past and stars of today. More Info
8. Kop Hill Climb Festival
Buckinghamshire, ~Mid-September
Kop Hill Climb Festival is your chance to get up close and personal with historic cars and bikes in action — admire their beauty and chat with their owners– the full experience. The event is set in a beautifully relaxed location with a real family friendly village atmosphere. More Info
The annual Regent Street Motor Show is a unique free-to-view London motor show, previewing the famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and the Veteran Car Concours d’Elegance. The event takes place on a traffic-free Regent Street from Piccadilly to Oxford Circus. More Info
Here are some of the ways you can get inspired on your visit to Motorsport Valley.
1. Silverstone Driving Experience
A track day at one of the world’s most legendary circuits in some of the world’s fastest cars would seem like any motorhead’s dream come true. It’s time to put on your racing suits because this dream can become a reality. More Info
2. Motorsport Valley Tour
July 15th — 16th 2019
The tour gives you first hand access to the ultra-secretive world of Formula 1. The expertly-curated two-day event will give participants an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience with 3 leading Formula 1 teams — Red Bull Racing, Williams and McLaren. More Info
The Race Hut located in Oxford features 16 state of the art triple-monitor racing simulators to help satisfy all your sim-racing needs! Various competitive events and experiences are also held on a regular basis to keep racing enthusiasts engaged. More Info
B-Hive Living is an operator of private rental coliving homes re-defining shared living for a new generation of entrepreneurs and professionals in Oxfordshire and internationally. Beyond mere accommodation, our homes offer a dynamic and life-enriching experience through well-designed areas and a calendar of social and cultural activities to foster connection, boost creativity and enable a healthier and more fullfilling lifestyle. If you are looking to join a vibrant community of like-minded motorsport professionals and enthusiasts, please reach out on +44 (0) 333 577 1088 or info@b-hiveliving.com
Welcome to the biggest hub of motor racing in the world: the Motorsport Valley®
Also known as Silicon Fen, Motorsport Valley® refers to the cluster of firms based around Oxfordshire and the Midlands involved in supplying cutting-edge technology to Formula One, Formula E and many other motorsport sectors. They dominate the design and manufacture of components used in the majority of the world’s motor racing categories today.
The valley is also home to some of the world’s biggest and most recognised motor racing teams. It’s within the geography of this valley that science and technology take the forefront in pioneering the next big innovations in motorsports.
History of motor racing in Oxfordshire
During the Second World war, the Thames Valley became important centre for aerospace engineering owing to its location which was ideal for building and servicing aircraft. Post the war many of the airfields and their engineers were no longer needed. This concentration of engineering talent was easily transitioned into motorsport alongside the abandoned airfields which proved to be the perfect infrastructure for racetracks. These conditions were too ideal to resist, and the valley saw motorsport companies flocking down to establish themselves here. The rest as they say was history — and the Motorsport Valley® was born!
Did you know?
The name Motorsport Valley has even been trademarked by the Motorsport Industry Association, the global trade association for the motorsport industry due to its unique qualities.
“No matter where you live in Oxfordshire, 7 out of the 10 Formula 1 teams are within an hour’s drive. The majority of Formula E teams as well as many F2, F3, GT3 teams and their suppliers are based here too. If you’re looking to work in the motorsport sector, Oxfordshire is definitely the best area to do so!”
(Mátyás Nagy– F1 Motorsport Engineer and former B-Hive Living resident)
Motorsport Valley Facts
Motorsport Valley has around 4,300 companies that employ around 41,000 people; that’s a good-sized town in motorsport alone.
Motorsport in the UK has a turnover of £9 billion (as of 2019), which has more than doubled in the past twenty years.
Nearly 90% of the motorsport companies in the UK export overseas and the majority of this economic activity takes place in the Motorsport Valley®.
Motorsport Valley companies spend a colossal amount on R&D at around 25–30% of turnover — that’s even more than the pharmaceutical industry (which spends 15%).
15 different universities in the UK offer motorsport engineering as a specific course, and these universities are clustered around Motorsport Valley® (more on that below).
The Big Players of motor racing
Get a glimpse of some of the major companies and teams at the forefront of motor racing which are based at the valley.
Formula 1
Mercedes– Brackley, Northamptonshire
For Formula 1 fans, the name Mercedes has become synonymous with victory. Mercedes has become one of the most successful teams in recent Formula One history, having achieved consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships from 2014 to 2018.
The McLaren Formula 1 team has been one of the most successful teams in the sport’s history. Since the team’s inception in 1966, they have won 182 races, 12 Drivers’ Championships and 8 Constructors’ Championships.
Aston Martin Redbull Racing- Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Owned by beverage company Red Bull GmbH, the popular marketing line associated with the brand — Red bull gives you wings- seems to have been put into practice on track with the team dominating motor racing weekends and making their way into several podium finishes.
French auto car maker Renault is currently involved in Formula One as a constructor, under the name of Renault F1 Team. They have been associated with Formula One as both constructor and engine supplier for various periods since 1977.
Renault was responsible for introducing the first turbo engine in Formula One with the Renault RS01 when the company became a constructor in 1977
Williams Racing F1 — Grove, Oxfordshire
Founded in 1977, the team has racked up several Grand Prix wins and championship glory. The team has also nurtured some of the greatest talents in the sportincluding Nigel Mansell, Jenson Button, Alain Prost, and Ayrton Senna.
Having the team’s base established a stone’s throw away from the legendary British racing circuit Silverstone, Racing Point F1 steadily established themselves as a midfield force under the Force India name from 2007.
Based on prime real estate at Silverstone, the team has been a active competitor in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship since it’s very inception. Virgin Racing becomes Envision Virgin Racing for the 2018/19 season after partnering with a digital energy company: Envision Group.
Having joined the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in 2016, the Panasonic Jaguar Racing team is ready to head into its third season in the series with its new Gen2 Jaguar I-TYPE 3.
With 54kWh of usable energy, the Gen2 Formula E battery could power an average British household for more than 4 days!
NIO Formula E Team – Oxford
The NIO Formula E Team is the racing arm of Chinese car maker NIO, and the evolution of Team China Racing. The team secured the inaugural FIA Formula E Drivers’ Championship in 2015.
Automotive Companies & Suppliers Around Motorsport Valley
Catch sight of some of the companies and suppliers that make Motorsport Valley a hotbed for automotive innovation and talent.
Aston Martin– Gaydon, Warwickshire
Founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, Aston Martin is primarily associated with the manufacturing of grand tourers and luxury sports cars. Their cars are regarded as a British cultural icon.
MINI is a British automotive marqueowned by BMW since 2000 and is responsible for pioneering the Mini Cooper — one of the most legendary small cars in automotive history. Their main plant is located right outside Oxford.
Founded in 1933 by William Lyons, Jaguar is an iconic British manufacturer and the name behind some of history’s most legendary cars like the Type-E. Its operations were completely merged with Land Rover to form the Jaguar Land Rover company.
Bentley is a British manufacturer and marketer of luxury cars and SUVs, founded in 1919 by W.O. Bentley and H.M. Bentley. The company claims to have one clear aim — to create extraordinary cars for extraordinary customers.
Prodrive is a well-known British motorsport group that designs, constructs and races cars for companies and teams such as Aston Martin, Mini and Volkswagen. Prodrive first became well known for its involvement with the Subaru World Rally Team, developing championship-winning cars for Colin McRae and Richard Burns.
B-Hive Living is an operator of private rental coliving homes re-defining shared living for a new generation of entrepreneurs and professionals in Oxfordshire and internationally. Beyond mere accommodation, our homes offer a dynamic and life-enriching experience through well-designed areas and a calendar of social and cultural activities to foster connection, boost creativity and enable a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle. If you are looking to join a vibrant community of like-minded motorsport professionals and enthusiasts, please contact us at info@b-hiveliving.com
Our Hivers are an eclectic bunch of awesome individuals from all walks of life and corners of the globe. They are open-minded professionals, entrepreneurs and digital nomads who share a lust for living well. To give you a little more insight on who Hive residents are, we interviewed one of them – Francois.
Hello everybody! My name is Francois, I am originally from South Africa. I moved to the UK at the beginning of 2019 to pursue some good career opportunity as a finance manager for a company operating in the automotive industry and my dream has always been to move closer to Europe. Now that I am settled in the UK, I would love to travel Europe and get to know more of the culture and diversity of the different European countries.
Have you lived in a shared living space before? What made you choose coliving/our Hives as your home?
I have been coliving for quite some time now, I chose coliving as a convenient, affordable and flexible way of living. Plus, I am single, so having the opportunity to get to know more people and being part of a vibrant community of Hive residents is something I really value in this stage of my life.
How would you describe coliving as opposed to other types of accommodation you previously experienced?
For someone who is single coliving provide an affordable, convenient and fun way of living. I really have great relationships with the other Hive residents and we all live a pretty hectic lifestyle. Shared living makes much more sense for us given we spend so little time at home, and we all enjoy each other company.
What is your favourite part of your Hive home and why?
I love the spacious well-equipped kitchen, the living room with a super comfortable TV area (which we often use for karaoke or gaming), the large skylight dining area and the spacious bedrooms all equipped with private en-suite bathrooms. You can tell that each space in the Hive has been designed around resident’s needs.
In your Hive space you are more…
Coffee or Tea? Tea
Quiet housemate or social animal? Quiet but sociable
More at your room or a particular common area? Enjoy spending time in common area when Hivers are around to talk or simply watch a movie together. But I also need quiet time in my room at the end of a very busy day!
How would describe your “Hivemates”? What difference did they make to your life?
In my Hive there are people from different nationalities: from Spain, Italy, England, India and even Czech Republic. Each Hiver has a unique side to them, and I enjoy chatting to each of them and get to know more about their countries, passions, hobbies and lifestyles. Our diversity and the fact we all come from different walks of life makes our community very special. Plus, we all are professional people so I find it interesting to get to know their professional experience, especially given I am new to the UK market.
What’s the most unexpected thing you discovered about yourself or coliving being in a Hive?
One would think that living and sharing space with other people from different backgrounds would not be easy and problems could arise. This is not my experience living in the Hive, we get along all very well and if any issue arises, we resolve our differences very amicably.
Would you recommend B-Hive Living to a friend? Why?
Yes, for sure. I also love the calendar of the Hive Social sessions designed to inspire fun, connection and a healthier way of living for the residents. The social events are an opportunity to get to know Hivers better. I particularly enjoyed the bring and share social event at one of our Hives recently, everyone shared some food from their country and we enjoyed playing live music thanks to some very talented people in our community.
B-Hive Living is a coliving brand redefining the concept of living well for a more connected, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.
Our Hivers are an eclectic bunch of awesome individuals from all walks of life and corners of the globe. They are open-minded professionals, entrepreneurs and digital nomads who share a lust for living well. To give you a little more insight on who your actual potential roommates are, we interviewed one of our residents – Dieter.
Hi all, my name is Dieter, and I am 20 years old, I am a Belgian and I came to England to complete part of my training to become a pilot. To go back in my past, I started my high school studies in Industrial Engineering, followed by Mechanical Engineering, and ended up studying and graduating in Aircraft Engineering. For this last part of my studies I did an internship with the Belgian Air Force. I worked on several aircrafts, e.g. F-16, Embraer 145, Falcon 900 and C-130’s. My hobby is martial arts, I have been doing this for over 8 years and it is a nice way to let go of all the daily stresses and to focus on something completely different. Next to studying in Belgium, I have had training in the United States as well, in the second stage of my flight training.
Have you lived in a shared-living space before? What made you choose coliving/our Hives as your home?
This is my first experience living in a coliving space and it’s certainly very different (especially compared to living on your own!) and has many positive aspects. Here at the Hive I have been living with other Residents with completely different backgrounds, which makes the experience very interesting. You get to know each other, you grow in your social skills, you learn how to live and adapt to each other overtime and develop a kind of routine in the house. We communicate well and everybody is happy, that is the kind of atmosphere you want in a coliving space.
How would you describe coliving as opposed to other types of accommodation you previously experienced?
Living on your own, at the end of the day, makes you feel quite lonely and isolated. At the end of a long day you arrive at home and there is not much excitement beyond catching up on social media, TV or some tech-entertainment on your own. While the experience in coliving is way more pleasant, because there will always be someone to talk to and share your experience with. Cooking together with your roommates, watching a movie or simply catch up in the garden or in one of the common areas of the Hive never makes you feel lonely. It’s definitely an antidote to loneliness!
What is favourite part of your Hive home and why?
My favourite part of the Hive is the ability to meet new people and to share your stories and experiences with them. Since everybody is different there is so much to learn about each other. Differences in age, nationality, profession, interests… enrich your day to day living, and each individual story brings a different dynamic to living together and the story of each Hive community.
In your Hive space you are more…
Coffee or Tea? Coffee, as I am awake very early very often, coffee is my friend.
Quiet roommate or social animal? Mix of both, when I have big tests and assignments to do, I will be in my room for hours, but once that is done, you can find me downstairs with all the rest of us, either to cook together or just to talk and have fun.
More at your room or a particular common area? I am more in the common areas, since it is more open and it is nice decorated.
How would describe your roommates? What difference did they make to your life?
I would describe them as open persons who work hard to achieve what they want in life. This is a very motivating aspect for me personally, to do my best each day and continue to develop myself to all possibilities in life. In addition my roommates are concerned about what I do and will always be there when you need something.
What’s the most unexpected thing you discovered about yourself or coliving being in a Hive?
The most unexpected thing for me is how my social skills has evolved since living with my Hive roommates. Due to the high workload at the Oxford Aviation Academy I spend all my time training and there is not much time left for friends, but since I have been living in a coliving environment, being social becomes part of your daily routine, and that is something I did not expect to happen but that I truly enjoy.
Would you recommend B-Hive Living to a friend? Why?
If you like to be around people without compromising the privacy of your own space, B-Hive Living is something I certainly recommend. In addition, you can be sure that each room is well equipped with all you need, not just your own private room but each communal space of the house.
B-Hive Living is a multi-award winning coliving brand, operator and asset manager of coliving properties with a strong track record of best-in-class design, investment and management practices. Our mission is to empower professional renters to lead a more connected, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle through co-living. This relentless focus on our residents’ well-being ensures a sustained demand wherever we operate.
