High Density Residential Design Like You’ve Never Seen

Practical, unpretentious and designed for high density, these contemporary compound houses forge private, peaceful, inner-city fortresses for the families that reside in them.

Aspirational lifestyles come in all manner of shapes and sizes; high density living is not often one of them. Urban life, on the other hand, very much is – and in this day and age, the two practically come hand in hand.

High density design is one of contemporary residential architecture’s foremost concerns. In the context of the global population, the perennial call of the city has today’s architects and designers ceaselessly wondering the same thing: how might we design habitable, urban environments that offer sufficient shelter, comfort and privacy, for individuals and families living in high density, inner city areas? And do so with longevity and affordability front of mind? Enter, the compound house.

Compound houses, as per their typology, are characteristically fortress-esque, forging pockets of peace, quiet and comfort, amidst areas of potent, enveloping urbanity, for private residence and cultivation of a harmonious life. Quintessential to the vernacular architecture of post-colonial Singapore and Indonesia, this type of residence is practical, unpretentious and designed to cater for even the extended family. As such, compound houses are as humble a house as any relatable contemporary, city-dwelling family could ask for.

From the 2020 Habitus House of the Year program, here are five highly-considered, exemplary compound houses that showcase high density design for contemporary living like you’ve never seen before.