Add To Collection
Add to Collection
Beijing Courtyard House
Beijing Courtyard House
Beijing, China
Project Featured on May 03, 2024
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
Beijing Courtyard House
Beijing, China
Project Featured on May 03, 2024
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2020
SIZE
10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft
BUDGET
Undisclosed
A conserved traditional building, the Beijing Courtyard House is a private clubhouse designed as a calm oasis amidst a bustling city. The estate is the perfect refuge for those in the pursuit of pastimes such as tea appreciation.
In the process of transforming the estate to meet modern needs, we considered the context in which it exists; a strong influence on the design narrative of the house was the traditional formation of siheyuan (四合院) as well as its much grander counterpart located just down the street—The Forbidden City.
The vernacular typology of traditional Beijing homes extend beyond simply having living spaces encircle scenic courtyards. The placement of each space undergoes careful consideration and serves a greater purpose—to allow for maximum privacy and maintain the comfort of the homeowner.
To retain this within the renewed estate, the team incorporated hierarchy into the design of the space.
The estate was arranged such that visitors can experience a journey through the shared communal spaces within the home before uncovering the homeowners’ most intimate spaces—should they allow it.
The most private areas of the home—such as the master suite and guest suite—are concealed and nestled within the back of the estate, while social spaces such as the gallery, dining, and tea pavilions are located closer to the entrance.
Hierarchy is established here, in the form of gated access. Only the homeowners and those closest to them have access to the master suite, located furthest within the home, whereas visiting acquaintances dwell only within the communal spaces such as the tea and dining pavilion.
In a sense, gaining access to the inner quarters of the home is a privilege. Only those within the inner circle of the homeowners would have the freedom to move throughout the estate as they please.
On a more practical note, the layout also allows guests to freely enter and exit the estate without trespassing into the personal spaces of the homeowners, allowing for maximum privacy.
The nature of the siheyuan reflects the Confucian values that are a large part of traditional Chinese culture. Beyond hierarchal dominance, familial relationships, harmony, and togetherness are of paramount importance to the Chinese.
Since its inception in the Western Zhou dynasty (1045–770 BC), siheyuans have been occupied by single extended family units that comprise multiple generations living together across the various wings. With the passing of time, this mode of living has long since faded away. Nonetheless, the importance that the Chinese place on human connection remain strong as ever.
For the home to continue serving its historical purpose of forging connections, we framed the central courtyard with communal living spaces with the purpose of providing more spaces for members of the homeowners and their kin to come together and enjoy their time together, come rain or shine.
Exercising sensitivity to surrounding urban fabric, we stripped building elements of vibrant paint added by the previous owner and introduced soft timber tones complementing the original timber structure. This formed a harmonious composition, with aged grey bricks predominant in this old part of Beijing.
The timber screen doors were also redesigned to retain their traditional essence. Collaborating with a facade specialist, we integrated triple glazing with superior thermal performance into the doors to counter harsh weather.
The proximity of the art that guests are able to view within the home is representative of the relational proximity between the guests and the owners.
The more public areas, like the art gallery pavilion and tea lounge, feature vast, sweeping landscapes that are admired from a distance. But traversing deeper into the more private areas of the home, where only those closer to the homeowners are allowed to enter, the artwork features elements of nature that can be best seen up close—flowers, birds, and delicate butterflies.
In the main living room sits a beautifully carved timber mural that reflects the boundless landscape of classical China. The 10-metre wide timber carving mural was inspired by a famous Song Dynasty painting by Zhang Zeduan titled “Along the River during the QingMing Festival”. This breathtaking piece was made possible only with the support of 40 local craftsmen and even then, it took 3 months to complete.
Scattered throughout the home are exquisite pieces of art—pottery, embroidered silk, sculpted timber, and lacquer paintings. Each and every one of these bespoke pieces was painstakingly created on-site by local artistans and carefully integrated into the estate to set off the furniture and lighting—made-to-order contemporary pieces that emanate the Chinese spirit.
The decor scattered within the estate mirrors the structure of the property and heavily features wood craft. Intricately formed timber building lanterns adorn the gently curved staircase that winds downwards towards the basement.
With careful selection of evergreen pine trees, we transformed the estate into an oasis for all seasons that offer views of greenery all year round—even throughout winter. The depths of the estate is teeming with plant life as well. Skylights and sunkens courtyards were strategically inserted into the property with the intent of introducing light and warmth into the otherwise shadowy basement but the lush greenery in the sunken courtyard also serves as a special treat for the homeowners. Especially on dull winter days.
The interplay of daylight between the ground floor and basement also creates spatial harmony. On a practical note, this facilitated seamless integration of smoke exhaust design in the basement.
In the process of transforming the estate to meet modern needs, we considered the context in which it exists; a strong influence on the design narrative of the house was the traditional formation of siheyuan (四合院) as well as its much grander counterpart located just down the street—The Forbidden City.
The vernacular typology of traditional Beijing homes extend beyond simply having living spaces encircle scenic courtyards. The placement of each space undergoes careful consideration and serves a greater purpose—to allow for maximum privacy and maintain the comfort of the homeowner.
To retain this within the renewed estate, the team incorporated hierarchy into the design of the space.
The estate was arranged such that visitors can experience a journey through the shared communal spaces within the home before uncovering the homeowners’ most intimate spaces—should they allow it.
The most private areas of the home—such as the master suite and guest suite—are concealed and nestled within the back of the estate, while social spaces such as the gallery, dining, and tea pavilions are located closer to the entrance.
Hierarchy is established here, in the form of gated access. Only the homeowners and those closest to them have access to the master suite, located furthest within the home, whereas visiting acquaintances dwell only within the communal spaces such as the tea and dining pavilion.
In a sense, gaining access to the inner quarters of the home is a privilege. Only those within the inner circle of the homeowners would have the freedom to move throughout the estate as they please.
On a more practical note, the layout also allows guests to freely enter and exit the estate without trespassing into the personal spaces of the homeowners, allowing for maximum privacy.
The nature of the siheyuan reflects the Confucian values that are a large part of traditional Chinese culture. Beyond hierarchal dominance, familial relationships, harmony, and togetherness are of paramount importance to the Chinese.
Since its inception in the Western Zhou dynasty (1045–770 BC), siheyuans have been occupied by single extended family units that comprise multiple generations living together across the various wings. With the passing of time, this mode of living has long since faded away. Nonetheless, the importance that the Chinese place on human connection remain strong as ever.
For the home to continue serving its historical purpose of forging connections, we framed the central courtyard with communal living spaces with the purpose of providing more spaces for members of the homeowners and their kin to come together and enjoy their time together, come rain or shine.
Exercising sensitivity to surrounding urban fabric, we stripped building elements of vibrant paint added by the previous owner and introduced soft timber tones complementing the original timber structure. This formed a harmonious composition, with aged grey bricks predominant in this old part of Beijing.
The timber screen doors were also redesigned to retain their traditional essence. Collaborating with a facade specialist, we integrated triple glazing with superior thermal performance into the doors to counter harsh weather.
The proximity of the art that guests are able to view within the home is representative of the relational proximity between the guests and the owners.
The more public areas, like the art gallery pavilion and tea lounge, feature vast, sweeping landscapes that are admired from a distance. But traversing deeper into the more private areas of the home, where only those closer to the homeowners are allowed to enter, the artwork features elements of nature that can be best seen up close—flowers, birds, and delicate butterflies.
In the main living room sits a beautifully carved timber mural that reflects the boundless landscape of classical China. The 10-metre wide timber carving mural was inspired by a famous Song Dynasty painting by Zhang Zeduan titled “Along the River during the QingMing Festival”. This breathtaking piece was made possible only with the support of 40 local craftsmen and even then, it took 3 months to complete.
Scattered throughout the home are exquisite pieces of art—pottery, embroidered silk, sculpted timber, and lacquer paintings. Each and every one of these bespoke pieces was painstakingly created on-site by local artistans and carefully integrated into the estate to set off the furniture and lighting—made-to-order contemporary pieces that emanate the Chinese spirit.
The decor scattered within the estate mirrors the structure of the property and heavily features wood craft. Intricately formed timber building lanterns adorn the gently curved staircase that winds downwards towards the basement.
With careful selection of evergreen pine trees, we transformed the estate into an oasis for all seasons that offer views of greenery all year round—even throughout winter. The depths of the estate is teeming with plant life as well. Skylights and sunkens courtyards were strategically inserted into the property with the intent of introducing light and warmth into the otherwise shadowy basement but the lush greenery in the sunken courtyard also serves as a special treat for the homeowners. Especially on dull winter days.
The interplay of daylight between the ground floor and basement also creates spatial harmony. On a practical note, this facilitated seamless integration of smoke exhaust design in the basement.
Product Spec Sheet
Were your products used?
Join as a manufacturer to add your products.