Role | UX design, Research, Ideation, Branding, Prototyping
‍Timeline | May - Aug 2021 (12 weeks)
Tools | Adobe XD, Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Keynote
Mentor | Brian Boyl, Myles Larson

Oneroof is a smart co-living system for young professionals in big cities, helping them set expectations, manage rules, stay aware of shared spaces, and communicate efficiently.

Context

In cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, young professionals, especially in tech, creative, and startup roles, often work contract-based jobs. With high living costs and limited savings, committing to a long-term lease can feel risky. Co-living offers a lower-cost, flexible way to start a life in the city.

However, sharing a home with strangers brings common challenges: unclear expectations before moving in, awkward confrontations over house rules, lack of visibility into shared spaces, and constant or invasive communication that can compromise privacy and boundaries. Oneroof addresses these challenges by helping housemates set clear house rules and handle onboarding seamlessly, reinforce and adapt rules to reduce conflict, stay aware of shared spaces in real time, and communicate efficiently while respecting personal boundaries.

72% of co-living tenants are aged between 26 and 40, with the largest proportion being those aged 31-35.

Knight Frank, Co-Living Report 2024

Working professionals are a major user segment in the co-living market, often driven by affordability.

Market.us

Co-living service market projected CAGR of 13.8% during 2025-2035.

WiseGuy Reports

Pain points

Unclear expectations before moving in
Awkward confrontations over house rules
Lack of visibility into shared spaces
violating boundaries in communication
A design challenge emerged....

How might we design a system that helps housemates set and manage rules, stay aware of shared spaces, communicate efficiently, and respect boundaries without awkward confrontations?

User Goals

Goal 01
To Set Clear House Rules + Enable Seamless Onboarding
Helps housemates agree on rules, including thermostat, guests, bills, showers, dishes, and quiet hours, and handle deposits and contracts digitally before moving in.
Goal 02
To Reinforce Rules + Reduce Awkward Confrontations
The system reminds housemates of rules, reduces awkward confrontations, and allows updates through anonymous votes and feedback.
Goal 04
To Enable Efficient Communication + Respectful Boundaries
Built-in messaging allows housemates to share updates without oversharing, send urgent messages immediately, and choose how to receive notifications in the app.
Goal 03
To Provide Real-Time Awareness + Transparency
Shows shared space usage, such as bathrooms, guests, digital “fridge” updates, and thermostat settings, keeping daily life smooth and clear.

Design System

The Solution

Oneroof is a smart co-living system for young professionals in big cities who want to save money without sacrificing peace of mind at home. Our goal is to provide a respectful co-living experience by preventing common roommate conflicts, making it easy to set clear ground rules, communicate efficiently, and ensure fairness among housemates.

Key Features

Get Started Easily

The seamless onboarding process allows users to review the ground rules and sign the contract digitally before moving in, ensuring all housemates start on the same page from day one.

Stay in Sync at Home

Users can view real-time updates on shared spaces, such as when bathrooms are in use, if guests are over, or what the current thermostat settings are.

Plan Ahead Together

Users can check the shared calendar for important updates, such as when a housemate will be away or if maintenance or guests are scheduled, helping everyone stay informed in advance.

Shape the Rules Together

Users can participate in anonymous polls to suggest or vote on house rule updates, keeping the rules flexible, relevant, and fair to everyone’s needs.

Know Your Roof

The ‘My Roof’ page shows billing details and current housemates, keeping everyone informed about shared costs and residents.

Measuring Success

To measure the success of the Oneroof app and its connected IoT home hub, Roofin, I’d track:
• Net Promoter Score
• User Retention Over Time
• Device Setup Completion Rate
• Rule & Space Management Engagement
• Environmental Harmony Score
• Overall System Adoption Rate

Process

Pain Points

01
Unclear Expectations Before Moving In
New housemates often don’t know the house rules or shared responsibilities, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts.
02
Awkward Confrontations Over Rules
Reminding or enforcing house rules can be uncomfortable, causing tension between housemates.
03
Lack of Visibility Into Shared Spaces
Housemates can’t easily see who’s using shared spaces or when, which leads to confusion and scheduling conflicts.
04
Over-Sharing and Notification Overload
Communicating via personal channels can compromise privacy and lead to too many messages, making it hard to manage boundaries.

Magic Moments

01
Wouldn't it be nice if setting clear expectations and house rules before moving in was simple and seamless?
02
Wouldn't it be nice if the system could remind everyone of house rules and reduce awkward confrontations automatically?
03
Wouldn't it be nice if everyone could instantly see the status of shared spaces and avoid misunderstandings?
04
Wouldn't it be nice to share updates and check messages on your own time, all within the app without giving out personal info?

User Goals

01
To Set Clear House Rules and Enable Seamless Onboarding
Helps housemates agree on rules, including thermostat, guests, bills, showers, dishes, and quiet hours, and handle deposits and contracts digitally before moving in.
02
To Reinforce Rules and Reduce Awkward Confrontations
The system reminds housemates of rules, reduces awkward confrontations, and allows updates through anonymous votes and feedback.
03
To Provide Real-Time Awareness and Transparency
Shows shared space usage, such as bathrooms, guests, digital “fridge” updates, and thermostat settings, keeping daily life smooth and clear.
04
To Enable Efficient Communication and Respectful Boundaries
Built-in messaging allows housemates to share updates without oversharing, send urgent messages immediately, and choose how to receive notifications in the app.

Competitive Analysis

Feature Comparison Matrix

Positioning Matrix

Target Market

Demographic
• 25-40, Young professionals in early-to-mid career stages
• Those in high-cost cities where traditional housing is expensive (SF, NYC, London, Singapore)
• Corporate contractors and temps
• Recent graduates transitioning into the workforce
• Making enough to live independently but choosing co-living for affordability
• Entrepreneurs and startup employees

72% of co-living tenants are aged between 26 and 40, with the largest proportion being those aged 31-35.

Knight Frank, Co-Living Report 2024

Working professionals are a major user segment in the co-living market, often driven by affordability.

Market.us

Design Criteria

Mission Statement

Oneroof is a smart co-living system for young professionals in big cities, helping them set expectations, manage rules, stay aware of shared spaces, and communicate efficiently.

Interview

Chris

Motion Designer

Temporarily staying in San Francisco for a 3-month tech contract.
—
Mid-level • Budget-conscious, looking for a clean and comfortable place.

• He lived with others to save money.
• They got along but rarely had real conversations.
• He shared most kitchen and bathroom items.
• Chores and responsibilities weren’t clearly divided.
• No one officially assigned tasks.
• He faced several conflicts while co-living.
• With five housemates, his food was often taken, and someone parked in his spot.
• One of the housemates often invited his girlfriend without telling him.
• He was accoused of not cleaning the living room.
• Grocery shopping was confusing. He couldn’t tell what they bought together or separately.
• Most conflicts came from unclear boundaries and expectations.
• Being close friends with housemates made it harder to set rules early on.

Summarized Findings

Noise & Disruptions

Loud or disruptive noise can stress others in the same space. Common issues include talking on speakerphone in shared areas, using the laundry or dishwasher late at night, or playing loud music during sleeping hours.

Living with Friends Without Rules

When best friends move in together, they often skip a contract due to trust. Still, issues can arise, as friends may unintentionally cross boundaries, especially when shared living makes them unclear.

Issues with Inviting Guests

Conflicts can arise when roommates invite guests without informing others in advance, such as when they’re coming, how long they’ll stay, and how often they might visit in the future.

Cleaning Conflicts

Everyone has their own standard of cleanliness, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. To prevent this, basic ground rules should be set to clarify what chores need to be done and how they should be managed.

Conflicts Over Shared Bills

Sharing bills can cause conflicts, like late payments, uneven splits, or unexpected charges. Without a written agreement, rent or utility costs may change, and not showing proof of bills can add tension.

Boundaries & Personal Space

Roommates may want downtime and personal space rather than constant socializing. Problems arise when others don’t respect their privacy and assume they should be best friends just because they live together.

Thermostat wars 

Thermostat wars are a common source of conflict among roommates with differing temperature preferences. Some may prioritize saving money on heating or cooling, while others insist on keeping the room at their “ideal” temperature.

Communication Challenges

When roommates know each other or are referred by friends, they usually share contact numbers to communicate. In co-living situations with multiple strangers, however, some may feel uncomfortable sharing their direct numbers.

Persona

User Journey

MUSCOW Chart

Structure Maps

Information Architecture Planning

Information Architecture

Wire Frame (low-fi)

Wire Frame (mid-fi)

Interaction Language

Information Architecture

Ecosystem

Information Architecture

Mood Board

View Process
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