Shenzhen Collective Housing

Project Challenge:

The urban village typology is one that showcases the severity of population density within several major Chinese cities. These dense, unplanned urban deposits are characterized largely by poor infrastructure, substandard housing, inadequate waste management, poor light quality and lack of public amenity The Shenzhen Collective Housing project offers a thoughtful approach to maximizing limited space and provide a healthier living experience for rural migrants.

Design Solution:

The Shenzhen Collective Housing project takes an average block size within an urban village and maximizes it's footprint while still providing a low cost housing solution. The design incorporates shipping containers for a modular standard in housing size. These housing pods slot into a structural frame

Key Features:

30 container housing units to accommodate a couple and a child.
The communal nature experienced in many rural settings is maintained with common area kitchen and amenity spaces. This extends to semi-private social spaces available with each unit.
Use of wood material at circulation, floors and ceilings brings warmth to the metal frame and containers. Color application influenced by surrounding context keeps the design in place with surrounding development.