Overview
Woonpioniers, an Amsterdam-based studio, has completed the CoHouse project situated in Cothen, a village within Utrecht, Netherlands. The initiative involved the design and construction of two adjoining homes configured for two distinct families. These residences are integrated within a singular gabled volume, a design approach described by the firm as resembling "a game of Tetris."
Research Context
The impetus for the CoHouse project arose from the acquisition of a verdant riverside plot in Cothen by two families. A requirement stipulated by the local authorities necessitated the construction of homes that were adjoining yet maintained distinct residential spaces for each family. Woonpioniers was tasked with fulfilling this specific design brief, creating separate living environments while adhering to the single-volume constraint.
Approach
Woonpioniers implemented a design strategy that organized two separate residences within one gabled structure. The studio's approach is characterized by the interlocking arrangement of these residential units, drawing an analogy to the game of Tetris to describe their configuration. This method aimed to accommodate the distinct living requirements of two families while integrating them into a unified architectural form.
Findings
- The CoHouse project in Cothen comprises a pair of interlocking houses.
- These houses are designed to accommodate two separate families.
- The entire structure is contained within a single gabled volume.
- The design outcome provides adjoining yet distinct residences.
Why This Matters
The CoHouse project addresses a specific architectural challenge: creating independent family dwellings that are physically conjoined within a singular structural envelope. This design response was necessitated by local regulations pertaining to the development of a riverside plot in Cothen, Utrecht, demonstrating a solution for multi-family residential needs under specific spatial and regulatory conditions.