Layering Courtyard: new and old between public and private

The traditional architecture, originally a commercial building covering about 500 square meters, is renovated by the ARCHSTUDIO architecture firm, which transforms the building into a complex intended for public and private activities

Preserving the memory of a historic residence

Layering Courtyard is one of the most representative renovation projects signed by the Chinese firm ARCHSTUDIO, known for its careful approach to the preservation and reinterpretation of traditional architecture. The intervention stems from the desire to preserve the memory of a historic residence located in a hutong in Beijing, overlaying contemporary languages with sensitivity to the original elements. The project transforms the dwelling into a fluid and articulated space, where internal courtyards, covered passages, and rooms alternate in a continuous dialogue between old and new. Layering Courtyard stands out for its ability to layer times, materials, and functions, offering an innovative model of renovation projects that enhance architectural heritage without sacrificing experimentation.

An oasis of peace in a chaotic neighborhood of Beijing

This traditional space is transformed into a "layered" courtyard, an innovative design solution that involves dividing the space into three distinct layers. This layering allows for a gradual and harmonious transition from more public spaces to more private ones, creating a true spatial transition that respects the needs for intimacy and protection. Despite being located in a noisy and chaotic urban neighborhood, this layered courtyard manages to provide an atmosphere of great tranquility and poetry. The design skillfully reorganizes the relationship between the old and the new, between the inside and the outside, redefining the boundaries and connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, to create a vibrant, functional, and meaningful space.

Each space with its own function

The three-level courtyard represents an intelligent design solution that allows all internal spaces to benefit from natural and diffused sunlight. The environments are designed to interpenetrate and communicate with each other, creating a spatial continuity that enhances the perception of an overall unity. The southern part of the courtyard houses spaces intended for more public and convivial activities, such as the dining room, kitchen, bar, and storage room, thus ensuring a functional and dynamic area. The intermediate level is dedicated to a versatile space, designed to accommodate different functions, such as an exhibition room or a guest room, offering flexibility in the use of the spaces. The internal spaces, arranged around a linear garden, are characterized by the predominant use of transparent or translucent materials, a choice that helps create a lighter, airier, and brighter atmosphere, emphasizing the visual relationship between the spaces and the surrounding greenery.

Gallery

patio with furniture in transparent methacrylate

PEOPLE

ARCHSTUDIO

2 Jiuxianqiao Rd, Chaoyang District, Beijing City, China