Under ONE Roof is a collective living project designed to accommodate three vulnerable single-mother families. It is built in a single volume with a wood frame, both for better sustainable performance and a lower cost, to not only relieve the burden of living but also engender a calming and comforting atmosphere.

The “Raumplan” organizational structure is adopted to divide units while keeping interaction between areas on different levels to promote a sense of community. This is especially helpful for the mental health of children in single-mother families. The kitchen and public living room, which are frequently occupied by adults, are arranged in a dominant position in the house, making it easy for moms to finish housework and take care of their kids simultaneously. The visual connection also makes it possible to monitor the house with a more defensive and protective atmosphere. What’s more important, moms can take shifts to stay at home babysitting all the kids, and others are free to pursue their careers. The empowerment of women is realized in this mutually beneficial mode of collective living.