From, a traditional to a dynamic space. Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO
29/08/2019.
[Qianliang Hutong - Dongcheng District - Beijing] China
metalocus, ÁNGEL VALDEZ
metalocus, ÁNGEL VALDEZ
Chinese-based architecture firm ARCHSTUDIO, renovated a courtyard into a small residence located in located in Qianliang Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing, with a site area of about 410 square meters (4413 sqft).
The complex is different from a typical "Siheyuan" with sloped roof, since the original architecture was composed of several disconnected flat-topped rooms featuring a traditional brick-and-concrete structure.
The complex is different from a typical "Siheyuan" with sloped roof, since the original architecture was composed of several disconnected flat-topped rooms featuring a traditional brick-and-concrete structure.
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Axonometric diagram. Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO.
Ground floor plan. Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO.
Rooftop floor plan. Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO.
Section. Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO.
Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Concept generation, diagram. Before transformation. Patio plegable por ARCHSTUDIO.
Concept generation, diagram. Before transformation. Patio plegable por ARCHSTUDIO.
Concept generation, diagram. Before transformation. Patio plegable por ARCHSTUDIO.
Concept generation, diagram. Before transformation. Patio plegable por ARCHSTUDIO.
Before transformation. Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Before transformation. Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
Before transformation. Folding Courtyard by ARCHSTUDIO. Photograph by Wang Ning
The renovate building design by ARCHSTUDIO will be rented for multiple purposes such as working, gathering with friends, and living, so the greatest challenge for this transformation project was how to present a more dynamic space.
Considering the characteristics of flat-roofed buildings, ARCHSTUDIO added corridors and staircases to link rooms and yards, roof and ground respectively. In this way, a “folding” and looping circulation route was formed, allowing interactions between interiors and exteriors, up and down, and new and old.
Considering the characteristics of flat-roofed buildings, ARCHSTUDIO added corridors and staircases to link rooms and yards, roof and ground respectively. In this way, a “folding” and looping circulation route was formed, allowing interactions between interiors and exteriors, up and down, and new and old.
Project description by ARCHSTUDIO
The project is located in Qianliang Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing, with a site area of about 410 square meters. Different from a typical "Siheyuan" with sloped roof, the original architecture was composed of several disconnected flat-topped rooms featuring a traditional brick-and-concrete structure, which are supposed to be transformed from a Siheyuan at one time and can be seen in many old areas of Beijing.
The site consisted of two parts. The front part was an open ground with two brick rooms and an old tree, while the rear part presented a U-shaped structure and had a courtyard roofed by glass. The original building, with isolated and narrow rooms and a lack of infrastructures, was gradually worn out so that it needed to be completely reconstructed in order to meet the demands of modern life. The rebuilt building will be rented for multiple purposes such as working, friends gathering, and dwelling, so the greatest challenge for this transformation project was how to present a more dynamic space with a variety of functions through appropriate demolition and renovation based on site conditions.
Considering the characteristics of flat-roofed buildings, ARCHSTUDIO added corridors and staircases to link rooms and yards, roof and ground respectively. In this way, a “folding” and looping circulation route was formed, allowing interactions between interiors and exteriors, up and down, and new and old.
The even roof is not only a rare public activity area, but also an extension of internal functions, with its landscape forming interesting contrast to the surrounding pitched-roof buildings and trees. Along the circulation route, four yards of different scales were marked out, including a long and narrow yard embellished with bamboos at the entrance, a yard with an old locust tree remained in situ, a yard characterized by waterscape and cobbles, with the original glass roof removed, and a south-facing backyard connecting to the neighbor's house. By following the circulation, people can enjoy variable views in the space.
ARCHSTUDIO retained the two brick rooms that already existed, and at the same time inserted three new brick-structured boxes, which were set as private spaces and can serve the functions of sitting room, kitchen, restroom, etc. The gaps between the three new boxes form a continuous but detached public space for working, gathering, dining and other activities.
The architects hided structural columns of the roof inside the brick boxes' walls, and deliberately left gaps between the roof and boxes, with a view to letting daylight filter in. Common construction materials for Siheyuan such as bricks, grey tiles and cement were utilized for this project.
The rooftop was paved with grey tiles, which were arranged linearly in different directions. Notably, those tiles extend to indoor area, resulting in flowing-water-like visual effects. The roof has a cast-in-situ concrete structure, and wood grains on interior surfaces generated from the form work was retained. The brick boxes were built with old bricks from demolished houses nearby, with the wall stretching to the rooftop and forming seats for resting.
More information
Architects
ARCHSTUDIO. Chief designer.- Han Wenqiang.
Project Team
Huang Tao, Wang Tonghui, Zhang Fuhua, Zheng Baowei, Yu Yan
Area
Site area.- 410 m². Project area.- 308 m².
Dates
April 2018 – April 2019
Main materials
Brick, grey tile, cement, terrazzo, glass.
Photography
Wang Ning
Han Wenqiang 韩文强 - ARCHSTUDIO
Han Wenqiang, was born in Dalian, Liaoning, China. He graduated from the Architecture School of Central Academy of Fine Arts in 2005, and since then he has been teaching there. Combing his teaching, he founded 2010 his office in Beijing ARCHSTUDIO.
He mainly researches contemporary architectural and interior environments based on traditional cultural backgrounds. He advocates carefully reading the particular requirements and constraints of every specific project during the design practice, constantly breakthrough and challenging limitations, and continuously deepening the whole process from concept to construction details as well as transforming the relationship between the inside and the outside, the old and the new, the artificial and the natural. He devotes to making the space to be the communication medium between people and people, people and environment, so as to create a livable life.
His major projects include Tea House in Hutong, Waterside Buddist Shrine, Organic Farm, etc. His works have won Building of The Year by Archdaily, LEAF Awards, Interior Design’s Best of Year Awards, Taiwan Interior Design Gold Award, etc. His works have been invited to participate in different exhibitions, such as Contemporary Architecture in China, Harvard, The Gwangju Design Biennale in South Korea, 10x100 - An Exhibition of 100 Architects for the 10th Anniversary of UED, etc.
Awards.-
2019 Architizer A+Awards—Jury
2018 FA Emerging Architect Award—Winner
2018, 2017 Building of the Year by Archdaily;
2017 Wood Design & Building Awards;
2017 The 8th IIDA Global Excellence Awards;
2017, 2015 Interior Design’s Best of Year Awards;
2016 LEAF Awards;
2016 A+ Awards by Architizer;
2016 The 12th Annual Hospitality Design Awards;
2016 American Architecture Prize - Architecture Renovation Silver Award;
2015 Taiwan Interior Design Award - Commercial Space Gold Award, The TID Award of Residential Space, The TID Award of Public Space;
2015 Contract magazine The 37th Annual Interior Awards - Restaurant Category and Exhibition Category;
2015 Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards - Leisure & Entertainment Space Gold Award, Food Space Gold Award and Living Space Silver Award;
2015 CIDA China Interior Design Award - Residential Award.
