Scope of the Project

A multigenerational home in a single-family home suburb. 

This project experiments with a novel delivery/development method: The plot of land and the architectural project will be sold as one product. Predefined alterations to the design will be available to the client, and the builder will be preselected based on the design. The aim is to offer the best conceivable product for a given market, reducing risk from alternative models like a bespoke design service or spec home construction.

Concept and Value

The project's neighborhood suffers from the consequences of inconsiderate planning: water scarcity, social isolation, lack of tree cover, no sidewalks or public spaces. While zoning only permits single-family homes, the project envisions an architectural Trojan horse—one that conceals a different way of living. The house will be built to address this issues and outlive its initial purpose.

To support multigenerational living, the circulation system is designed to allow the building to function as either two independent units or a single, unified home. In times of hardship, the additional unit can also provide rental income.

To achieve our goals, care is taken to reduce maintenance complexity. The house is conceived as a clear assembly of replaceable parts—with accessible, repairable plumbing and electrical systems, and integrated energy and water collection and storage. A post-and-beam mass timber structure will outlast its confined masonry neighbors and can be disassembled and reused if ever needed.

The design focuses on creating microclimates and atmospheres rather than conventional rooms. Instead of “living rooms” or “bedrooms,” we propose moments: a place to watch the rain while holding a warm drink; an outdoor area to cool off and host a large social gathering; a wet room where steam nourishes plants, moisture is managed, and hygiene rituals unfold.