#RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
formless architects creates cloud cube housing for young families
located in kunshan city, an industry-based city on the outskirts of metro shanghai, chain is the ‘cloud cube’ housing project.
the sky rises, completed by formless architects, were created for young working class families who live and work locally. the structures needed to provide residence for more than 1,000 families, have an instantly recognizable identity, and be realized on an extremely tight budget.
the final design utilizes a ‘toy-brick’ concept to create a lively, transformable façade. units are staggered up and across the edifices, and when combined with various colors, provide each home a distinct element of identity and character. four major typologies, spread across the 18 buildings, create a sense of place and community while managing to evade indistinguishability.
each unit has a double-height balcony. doing so allows the extension of family activities to a semi-outdoor space, and enables the creation of vertical gardens. because of the restrictive budget, paint was the only viable façade finishing choice; but formless believes that paint, while simple, can still generate rich, expressionistic compositions.
