amsterdam-based architects jay tsai and ryszard rychlicki reveal their latest project, ‘tiny homes’, in an effort to promote resource-friendly and compact living in chicagothough the housing modules stand alongside each other, the character of the design ultimately preserves its individuality. 

jay tsai ryszard rychlicki tiny homes designboom
perspective rendering on south vernon avenue

 

 

shortlisted for the future projects awardtsai and rychlicki’s ‘tiny homes’ encourages communal living without compromising one’s privacy. each unit, with a gross floor area of  only 288 sqft, leans on its neighbor to create intimate joint patios which contribute an additional 144 sqft. moreover, a diagonal entry though the cluster of homes opens up the site and reveals a larger shared area that can host a multitude of activities.

jay tsai ryszard rychlicki tiny homes designboom
ample light exposure from all angles of the modules

 

 

as an alternative to traditional windows, the architects incorporate translucent polycarbonate to hug the plywood structure. openings are cut through the plywood at varying dimensions, depending on the program it serves. in the daytime, the polycarbonate panels absorb ample light into the home while emitting a welcoming glow on the exterior. to maximize light exposure, all roofs face north, south or both, thereby adding character to each unit.

jay tsai ryszard rychlicki tiny homes designboom
interior rendering of the community space

jay tsai ryszard rychlicki tiny homes designboom
arial view of the site plan

 jay tsai ryszard rychlicki tiny homes designboom

 

jay tsai x ryszard rychlicki masterplan including central community space

jay tsai ryszard rychlicki tiny homes designboom
overview of the site plan

jay tsai ryszard rychlicki tiny homes designboom

 

sectional view

tiny-home-jay-tsai-designboom-edit
typical plan of a module 

jay tsai + ryszard rychlicki redefine compact living in chicago
illustration including dimension  

 

jay tsai + ryszard rychlicki redefine compact living in chicago
module build up

 

tiny-home-jay-tsai-designboom-edit2
different variation of the module 

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynn chaya | designboom