The Overlapping Land House by Chinese architects Neri and Hu consists of two L-shaped halves of the house that slightly overlap to create a courtyard in the middle. The house, located in Singapore, accommodates three families in three stories, including a story that is located underground.
The complex aims to blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, and does its best to incorporate the natural beauty its surroundings. Neri and Hu took inspiration for the private residence from the Siheyuan courtyard house, which is very common in northern China, and also seeks to be thought of as "a spatialization of Chinese notions of domesticity" by celebrating the core of the house as a space for family to gather.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- L-shaped Abodes
- L-shaped home designs that integrate architecture with nature, inspired by traditional Chinese courtyard houses.
- Overlapping Spaces
- Building designs that blur the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces to create a unique, multi-functional living experience.
- Multi-family Housing
- Incorporating underground levels to create multi-functional and spacious housing for multiple families in urban areas.
Where This Applies
- Architecture
- Architects can experiment with L-shaped homes and the integration of natural features in their designs to create visually appealing and innovative structures.
- Real Estate
- Developers can incorporate the idea of multi-family housing in their projects and explore creative ways to maximize limited urban space.
- Construction
- Constructors can experiment with underground construction and innovative materials to create unique homes that celebrate nature and family in compact urban areas.
