The courtyard is situated in Xiaoxiangfeng Hutong, just south of Houhai’s southern shore and north of the Prince Gong’s Mansion. Less than a hundred meters from Houhai, it was originally an abandoned courtyard boasting a well-planned layout. The building’s exterior remains relatively intact, featuring one main house, a west wing, and a kitchen added later on the east side.
▼ Courtyard Scenery – Shen Zhen
▼ Courtyard Scenery – Shen Zhen
To the right of the courtyard entrance stands a large tree. Upon entering, this tree provides a sense of shelter, instantly shielding visitors from the outside hustle and bustle and immersing them in a serene atmosphere. The house’s deep, rich tones further enhance a strong sense of history.
▼ Courtyard Scenery – Shen Zhen
We chose to preserve the basic layout of the courtyard, focusing instead on spatial restructuring and functional transformation through minimal design interventions. Our goal was to maintain the historical essence while unlocking the courtyard’s cultural potential.
View of the courtyard from the west wing – Shen Zhen
▼ Courtyard Night Scene – Xu Xiaodong
The renovated courtyard now features two guest rooms, a shared kitchen, and a Zen tea room, which was demolished and rebuilt. The exterior continues the original house’s color palette and detailing, except where new additions were made. Original elements such as window shapes and sills were dismantled, rearranged, and combined with new textures to create a refreshed façade.
▼ Floor Plan After Renovation
▼ Axonometric Diagram
▼ Courtyard Scenery – Shen Zhen
The harmony between the large tree and the tea room in the small courtyard forms the heart of the space. The entrance, tea room, and tree are connected through a continuous, flowing design that defines the entrance area, the southeast corner tree courtyard, and the tea room. The use of rusted steel plates and weathered wood, materials rich with the passage of time, complements the main building’s color and atmosphere, blending old and new.
This design expresses a “courtyard public life” distinct from Western-style street squares—a transparent, ceremonial space fostering a public life deeply connected to nature.
Harmony Between the Tree and the Tea Room – Shen Zhen
▼ Shuyuan – Xu Xiaodong
▼ View of the Tree Garden from the Entrance Foyer – Xu Xiaodong
▼ View of the Tea Room from the Tree Courtyard – Xu Xiaodong
▼ Scheme Diagram
▼ Scheme Diagram
Jielu is nestled in a quiet environment, free from the noise of traffic. The core philosophy of ancient Chinese garden design during the Ming and Qing dynasties was to create natural mountain and forest landscapes within walking distance of the city streets. These gardens served as temporary refuges for scholars to relax amid worldly chaos. This longing for nature is deeply embedded in our cultural values and plays a crucial role in mental well-being.
However, the fast pace and standardization of BIM learning in today’s commercial society have gradually distanced us from nature, causing us to lose this vital regulatory connection.
▼ Tea Room Interior – Xu Xiaodong
▼ Tea Room Interior – Shen Zhen
▼ Detailed Drawing of Tea Room Structure
▼ Study – Shen Zhen
▼ Details – Shen Zhen
▼ Details – Xu Xiaodong
▼ Details – Shen Zhen
▼ Scheme Diagram
▼ Detailed Drawing of Study Structure
The courtyard itself is compact and, through careful organization and integration of traditional materials like tiles, it creates a unique landscape that allows the scenery to be visually appreciated. The renovated courtyard has become a ‘place’ within the city, offering a temporary escape from the stresses of daily life and inviting visitors to reconnect with a more natural way of living. This experience provides comfort for the soul, which is our ultimate hope.
▼ Nanzheng Room Interior – Xu Xiaodong
▼ Nanzheng Study and Tea Area – Xu Xiaodong
▼ Nanzheng Room Interior – Xu Xiaodong
▼ Nanzheng Room Interior – Xu Xiaodong
▼ Nanzheng Room Interior – Xu Xiaodong
▼ Nanzheng Interior – Shen Zhen
▼ Nanzheng Interior – Shen Zhen
▼ Interior of West Wing Room – Xu Xiaodong
Architecture functions like a vessel, nourished by time and enriched by life’s embellishments. We look forward to the coming spring, when flowers bloom, leaves filter the sunlight, ponds fill with water, and moss grows. By then, the courtyard will reveal a transformed, vibrant scene.
▼ Courtyard Night Scene – Xu Xiaodong
Project Information:
Architect: Ordinary Architecture
Location: No.15 Courtyard, Xiaoxiangfeng Hutong, Houhai, Beijing, China
Category: Hotel
Principal Architects: Shen Zhen, Chen Zhenzhen
Building Area: 117.0 square meters
Project Year: 2018
Photographers: Xu Xiaodong, Shen Zhen
Owner: Beijing Tianheng Free Field Head (Hidden Sea)
Materials: Small blue tiles, plain bricks, steel, weathered steel plates, wood, bamboo, glass, and more
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