The Traditional House of the Future

The ground often becomes a battleground where tradition and modernity clash. The separation evident between China’s traditional underground homes and the contemporary above-ground apartments highlights the divide between customary land uses and today’s industrialized infrastructure. Yet, there’s an opportunity within this divide. By delving into this separation, there’s potential to rejuvenate the traditional underground courtyards and create a balance between the old and the new.
John Lin and Lydia Ratoi have extensively researched traditional habitats across China and are reimagining our relationship with the land. They intervene in these separated grounds, either transforming courtyards into areas for community engagement or introducing structures that connect the disparate elements. Through their work, the architects prompt us to consider: When traditional land usage no longer aligns with our needs, how should we rethink our approach and become actively involved?