Netherlands-based Dutch studio Woonpioniers has finished construction of the CoHouse Cothen in Utrecht, Netherlands. The unique property interlocks two distinct houses within a single volume using an innovative Tetris split-design layout. The two separate volumes overlap and share the attic and ground floor area, so neither family gets stuck with a bad view.
The studio took this challenging project after two couples approached them to fit two separate houses on a single plot in Cothen village. Initially, the couples wanted to build separate buildings on that lush riverside plot, but the local municipality did not permit the construction. Instead, they told them to merge two houses into one building.
As a result, to make the project work for both families, the studio came up with a brilliant Tetris-style split design. Instead of stacking two separate volumes on top of each other, the studio constructed two separate overlapping structures built with eco-friendly materials, as requested by the clients. The design team made extensive use of bio-based mass timber frames to construct the separate volumes.
The team filled the timber walls with natural wood fiber to prevent mold formation and naturally regulate the indoor temperature. They also used a special bio-based acoustic structure to build the floor separating the two houses. This structure offers exceptional acoustic benefits by absorbing sound and vibrations for the privacy of both families.
The integrated solar panels on the roof ensure the houses remain completely energy-neutral, powering both houses and minimizing the electricity bills. The cooling function of the ground source heat pump and the strategic sun shading in the west and south keep the building cool during harsh summers. Both houses share a central main entrance area on the ground floor.
The entry doors in this shared area open into separate houses with a double-story layout. Each house has its own custom living room, kitchen, bathroom, and four bedrooms. The ground floor has kitchen and dining areas, whereas the upper floor houses a living room, bedrooms, workspace, and bathroom. One house overlooks the secluded garden along the Kromme Rijn with rooms facing the street, while the other house looks at the south-facing garden and gets a great view of the landscape.
The exterior of the CoHouse Cothen features a playful, dual-material façade, flaunting a timber-clad gable exterior on the upper level, and a smooth white modern exterior on the ground level. Ample skylights in the gable and a distinct dormer volume with square glazing flood the interior with ample sunlight.
Also Read: Victorian Schoolhouse Transforms Into Contemporary Family Cottage
This dormer volume breaks the continuous triangular geometry in the gable roof and captures the peak sunlight during the day. The lower level opens into the garden area and maintains constant visual connection with the landscape through floor-to-ceiling glazing.
The CoHouse Cothen offers a shared yet private living experience to both families. The unique Tetris puzzle design playfully merges two separate houses without making either family compromise. The residents said, “We have the attic room and are very happy with the view from there. Inside, it always feels like a luxury home; the layout is optimal for us, we wouldn’t change anything.”
Via: Dezeen