Various Associates' Gong's House: A Delicate Balance of Cross-Generational Living

The 2026 edition of the Wallpaper* Architects Directory highlights Various Associates, a burgeoning architectural firm established in 2017 by Qianyi Lin and Dongzi Yang. Based in Shenzhen, this studio, whose members are alumni of the Royal College of Art in London, has undertaken diverse projects, including a skatepark in Qinhuangdao, a beach club in Sanya, fashion boutiques in Shanghai, and an Adidas flagship store in Seoul. Their innovative methodology combines material engineers, artists, and experience designers, driven by the motto 'Working in the future for the present.' A notable project, Gong's House, situated in the historic village of Yongjia, accommodates over 30 individuals from six sibling families, addressing cross-generational needs and bridging rural-urban gaps. Its design features interconnected rooms for shared activities, an abstract window arrangement reminiscent of Jiangnan's traditional homes, and a plant fibre brick that merges local construction techniques with urban efficiency, ensuring insulation during the rainy season. The 25th edition of the directory showcases 30 emerging studios from 28 nations, focusing on residential design.