House Type Revolution: Major Categories and Characteristics of Fourth-generation Residential House Types

This paper comprehensively analyzes the characteristics of fourth-generation residences, which integrate high-rise buildings with vertical greening systems, feature a household-specific “front courtyard and back yard” layout, and represent an innovation and fusion of traditional residential forms. It also delves into the design highlights and market performance of刚需 (rigid demand) and 刚改 (improvement-oriented) housing types. The rigid demand housing types enhance cost-effectiveness through large-scale, cantilevered terrace gardens, while the improvement-oriented types offer a new lifestyle with open layouts that connect indoor and outdoor spaces, including balconies and gardens. Additionally, the paper presents cases such as Chengdu Jiangbin Licheng, Guangzhou Zhaoshang Linyu Jing, and Beijing Longhu Guangcai, illustrating the practical implementation of fourth-generation residences across different cities and housing sizes. These examples demonstrate the progress made by fourth-generation residences in improving living quality and provide valuable insights for future residential design.