This prototype is part of InsideOut Housing—a model we're testing to see if better apartments are possible.

The Patios housing concept fills the gap between the single home on a stand and the compact flat. It is an urban alternative to the cluster estate. The design proposition is that a flat can be adaptable, responsive and offer space for a family to grow in.

The unit is designed from the inside-out, prioritising comfort and liveability. It is in contrast to the cookie-cut ‘functional’ flat layout with a façade pasted onto it. Outside it offers communal family spaces - shared gardens and playgrounds – where neighbours rub shoulders. The construction minimises on material, promotes renewable resources and is inherently energy efficient through sensible design.

Designing from the Inside–Out

The umbrella concept Inside-Out Housing comes from our commitment to starting the design with how people live — looking at everyday rhythms: how a family might move through the space, how couples could host dinner parties, how multiple people can work and play in the home. How does light enter each space? Is there cross-ventilation and climate control? Rather than imposing fixed, generic layouts, we work carefully with constraints to arrive at solutions that feel calm, generous and a little bit special.

Register your interest to access the project and help test its viability.︎︎︎