Architect: URBANUS
Location: Nanhai, Guangdong,
Design Period: 2005-2007
Completion: 2008
Site Area: 9,141㎡
Total Floor Area: 13,711㎡
Principal Architect: Liu Xiaodu, Meng Yan
Project Architect: Li Da, Yin Yujun
Team: Huang Zhiyi, Li Hui, Cheng Yun, Huang Xu, Zuo Lei, Ding Yu, Wei Zhijiao, Li jing, Wang Yajuan, Zheng Yan, Shen Yandan | Zhu Jialin (Technical Director)
Client: Shenzhen Vanke Real Estate Co., Ltd.
Collaborators: Guoqun Studio (Interior Design), Archilier Architecture LLC (LDI), Huangyang Design (Logo design)
Photographer: Yang Chaoying

This is an aerial view of the collective housing illustration over the area and how it stands out against the surrounding area.

This is a far-off view of the collective housing building and its massive structure.

This is a close look at the collective housing exterior with patterned exterior wall panels and large entrances.

This is a close look at the side of the building showcasing the patterned concrete wall panels, windows and a set of steps leading to the basement floors.

This is a close look at the other structures of the collective housing that has similar concrete wall panels and windows along with glass walls.

This is a look at the inner courtyard of the building with a couple of tall trees to complement the concrete structures and the yellow window panels on the building that bring additional color.

This is a view of the inner courtyard of the large circular building with curved structures, brick walkways and shrub hedges on the side.

This is another view of the shrub hedges of the inner courtyard showcasing more of the curved structures and patterned panels.

This is another outdoor area of the collective housing with yellow tones on its exterior walls complemented by white accents and wrought iron railings.

This is a view of the rooftop area of the central structure with concrete walkways and various potted plants bordered with wrought iron railing.

This is a dual view showcasing the interior of one of the collective housing units with white walls, ceiling and folding doors.

These are various photos depicting how the collective housing would fit in with other major cities.

These are various photos from the residents of the collective housing.

This is a rendering illustration of the whole building with different colors and sections.

These are rendering illustrations of the whole building along with portions of it isolated.

These are rendering illustrations of the building showcasing density studies.

These are illustrations of the various unit types within the collective housing.

Tulou is a dwelling type unique to the Hakka people. It is a communal residence between the city and the countryside, integrating living, storage, shopping, religion, and public entertainment into one single building entity.

Traditional units in tulou are evenly laid out along its perimeter, like modern slab-style dormitory buildings, but with greater opportunities for social interaction. By introducing a “new tulou” to modern cities and by carefully experimenting with its form and economy, one can transcend the conventional modular dwelling into urban design. Our experiments explored ways to stitch the tulou within the existing urban fabric, which includes green areas, overpasses, expressways, and residual land left over by urbanization.

The cost of residual sites is low due to incentives provided by the government; this is an important factor for the development of affordable housing. The close proximity of each tulou building helps insulate the users from the chaos and noise of the outside environment while creating an intimate and comfortable environment inside.

Integrating the living culture of traditional Hakka tulou buildings with affordable housing is not only an academic issue but also implies a more important yet realistic social phenomenon. The living conditions of impoverished people is now gaining more public attention.

The research of tulou dwelling is characterized by comprehensive analyses ranging from theoretical hypothesis to practical experimentation. The study examined the size, space patterns, and functions of tulou. The new programs also inject new urban elements to the traditional style, while balancing the tension between these two paradigms. As a consequence of such comprehensive research, the tulou project has accumulated layers of experiences in various aspects.

The project provided a platform for an in-depth discussion on the feasibilities and possibilities of contextualizing the variable metamorphoses of traditional dwelling modules with urban reality. It also introduced a series of publications and forums on future hypothetical designs for a “new tulou project”. The logic and design process of the tulou program set up a solid foundation and excellent precedent for translating research-based feasibility studies to design realization.