Co-Living Home by Yuan Architects – Innovative Urban Living in China

Nestled within the narrow alleys of a historic city center, the Co-Living Home by Yuan Architects redefines urban residential living. Situated on a compact 4-meter-wide corner plot, this innovative multi-story building offers a unique co-living solution, with one household per floor designed specifically for young professionals and urban renters seeking flexible, engaging city living.

Completed in 2021, the 210 m² residence demonstrates a bold rethinking of traditional apartment layouts. Lead architect Wenyuan Peng and the team at Yuan Architects collaborated with ChangHao Engineering Consultants Inc. to craft a structure that balances private and communal experiences while enhancing spatial connectivity throughout the home.

Rethinking Residential Flow

The design challenges the rigid and uniform style of conventional apartments by introducing split-level floor plans, vertical circulation strategies, and dynamic stair layouts. These elements seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces, inviting the rich texture of the surrounding urban environment into each unit. The staggered floors create a clear hierarchy between public and private areas, while fostering a vertical sense of community across the building’s residential units.

Dynamic Architecture and Spatial Interaction

The building’s form is defined by its staggered, moving volumes that interact with both the structure and the exterior façade. Carefully designed stairs weave between interior spaces and exterior walls, connecting ground-level activities to the roof garden. This movement not only enhances circulation but also frames engaging views from within and around the building, turning the home itself into a sculptural urban landmark.

Exposed architectural elements, balconies integrated through inclined plates, and layered interiors create multiple perspectives, encouraging social interaction and playful exploration within a dense urban setting. By extending interior spaces outward, the design transforms a modest corner plot into a vibrant, light-filled home, offering a fresh perspective on co-living in historic city alleys.

A New Vision for Urban Co-Living

Through its innovative design and architectural ingenuity, the Co-Living Home provides young residents with an alternative urban lifestyle—one that emphasizes interaction, spatial fluidity, and a connection to the surrounding city. This project showcases how thoughtful design can breathe new life into old neighborhoods while addressing the evolving needs of contemporary city dwellers.

All Photographs are works of YHLAA