Case study
Buenro
Company:
Buenro
Year:
2023
Country:
Spain
Industry
TravelTech
In a market where bookings are purely functional, Buenro makes them personal.
Buenro is a co-living platform (ex - Cambra) that connects digital nomads with like-minded homes and communities. We went from operating 10 in-house properties to integrating a global network through partnerships, building the digital product from the ground up to scale this vision.
More than finding a place to stay, it’s about finding who to share it with.
Existing platforms connect properties, not people.
The challenge was to translate each home’s vibe into clear, filterable criteria—capturing lifestyles to match people with spaces—and to enable two paths: joining an existing home or launching your own by defining its vibes.
Opportunity
Create a platform that puts people and their interests at the centre, seamlessly integrating community and accommodation into a single experience.
Find Your People
Meet new friends all over the world.
Join
Circles
Research
We analysed 9 platforms—including Meetup, Couchsurfing, Wander, Airbnb, Hostelworld, and Booking—identifying common patterns in navigation, search personalisation, and community building.
9 Platforms Analysed
+ 20 Common Patterns
(Navigation, search, and social features)
2 Market Gaps
Lack of integration between community and accommodation.
Low personalisation based on affinity.
Community
Shared interests and experiences, but without a solid integrated accommodation structure.
Booking Platforms
Functional filters (price, location, amenities) but lacking depth in affinity or lifestyle matching.
Interviews
We conducted interviews with former Cambra users and profiles aligned with Buenro’s target audience: freelancers or remote workers relocating between cities. The goal was to understand their expectations, fears, and motivations when looking for a shared home.
Key Insights
Lack of information about co-living generates friction
Not knowing what type of people will share the space is a barrier to booking.
Affinity matters more than location or price
Lifestyle, values, and the house’s overall vibe are decisive factors when choosing.
Connection with others is not a bonus — it’s a necessity
Users seek spaces where they can build relationships, not just a place to sleep.
Userflows
Definition of the product structure through user flows and initial low-fidelity prototypes.
Booking flow — A streamlined booking process with clear steps and visual confirmations.
Join to the house — A simplified path for users to easily join an existing house.
Booking
Join
Low-fidelity Wireframes
Early low-fidelity prototypes to iterate on structures and visual hierarchies. User testing helped validate key components such as vibes, profiles, and house cards.
Initial stage – MVP 1: This laid the foundation for building a more empathetic and scalable experience in future iterations.
MVP 1 – Focus on Validating Affinity
The goal was to design an MVP to test our hypothesis: affinity drives bookings.
We created a simple flow that allowed users to discover like-minded people before booking, and to reserve seamlessly once a connection was established.
Vibes
We validated this component as a key decision driver, helping users assess whether a house matched their lifestyle before booking.
MVP 2.0 — From functional testing to a scalable visual identity
New Identity: A More Empathetic, Social, and Scalable Experience
With the hypotheses validated and a solid functional base in place, we moved from testing to building a distinct visual identity. The rebranding aimed to reinforce Buenro’s unique value proposition: a more empathetic, social, and scalable experience. The new design left behind the dark mode in favour of a cleaner, more versatile, and approachable aesthetic.
Aligned with your lifestyle
A warmer, clearer interface with affinity as the main selection criteria. Users can explore unique spaces based on their vibes and interests, prioritising clarity and speed when booking.
Join like-minded groups in active houses
See who’s already in the house, get a feel for its energy and lifestyle, and book in just a few steps. Designed to foster trust and community from the very beginning.
Stay Connected
Receive notifications about upcoming trips, friends nearby, and shared events—encouraging spontaneous connections and keeping the community active.
Profiles that create real connections
Each user has a profile and a defined vibe, allowing hosts and roommates to identify meaningful matches before living together. Connections start forming even before sharing a home.
See who else is joining
Sophie P.
Digital Nomad
Emily S.
Solo Traveler
Carlos M.
Remote Designer
4.0
Results
Results
Although I did not participate in the full launch, the MVP and its validation provided clear signs of value.
The learnings and outcomes from this stage reinforced Buenro’s value proposition as a digital product focused on affinity, community, and shared experiences.
