I like the connecting houses to each other. I think it would give guilds more options to be created about hosting their own events for their friends/guild.
Examples:
1. hide n seek would be much better with 3-6 houses connected.
2. A survival style game where 5 members chase one player would be cool
3. Making a gladiator type game would also be cool(first house would be a obstacle/maze challenge, second house would be killing certain amount of players, and the last house could be a riddle filled house)