Housessuch

Housessuch is a term used in architectural and design discourse to describe a housing approach that treats the dwelling as a fluid, co-authored space rather than a fixed container. The concept emphasizes adaptability, user participation, and the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor environments. The name blends 'house' with 'such', echoing philosophical discussions of suchness to signal the essential, context-dependent nature of domestic space.

Origins and usage: The term arose in speculative design writings during the 2010s and 2020s as debates about flexible living, modular construction, and sustainability grew. It is not tied to a single architect or building method but rather a family of strategies.

Design principles: The housessuch approach relies on modular, reconfigurable layouts; movable partitions; multipurpose furniture; open plans; durable, low-maintenance materials; and integration with local climate and community context. It often employs prefabrication, modular components, and digital tools such as parametric design to tailor spaces to changing needs and households.

Implementation: Example implementations include mass-customizable modules; fold-away elements; service cores that can be relocated; and climate-responsive envelopes. Projects are commonly experimental, cited in design research, or proposed in urban housing pilots. The concept also appears in fiction and speculative design to explore future living.

Reception and critique: Proponents argue it supports longevity of housing stock, inclusion, and resilience, while critics point to higher upfront costs, complexity, and maintenance demands.

See also: flexible housing, modular architecture, adaptive reuse, responsive architecture.