[Xianming Sang & Renyi Zhang - The Communal Core - COVER IMG] The Communal Core by Xianming Sang and Renyi Zhang
[Xianming Sang & Renyi Zhang - The Communal Core - IMG 1] [Xianming Sang & Renyi Zhang - The Communal Core - IMG 2] [Xianming Sang & Renyi Zhang - The Communal Core - IMG 3] [Xianming Sang & Renyi Zhang - The Communal Core - IMG 4] [Xianming Sang & Renyi Zhang - The Communal Core - IMG 5] [Xianming Sang & Renyi Zhang - The Communal Core - IMG 6] [Xianming Sang & Renyi Zhang - The Communal Core - IMG 7] [Xianming Sang & Renyi Zhang - The Communal Core - IMG 8]

The Communal Core

Firm LocationPhiladelphia, United States
CompanyXianming Sang & Renyi Zhang
Lead ArchitectXianming Sang, Renyi Zhang

"The Communal Core" is a modern sustainable social housing model that transcends individualism and enhances community integration in urban living. Inspired by traditional East Asian courtyard house layouts, it features a flexible communal courtyard for social interactions and individual privacy. Using mass timber for sustainability, this design fosters community ties and reduces the urban carbon footprint. By blending traditional layouts with modern practices, it creates a dynamic communal space central to the living experience, promoting interconnected, denser living arrangements.