Those born after China’s reform and opening up have gradually become the pillars of society. Benefiting from rapid development, their quality of life continues to improve, with many starting families and striving to achieve their ideal lifestyles.
In 2019, Qingzhu Architecture was commissioned to renovate a wedding house for a newlywed couple. The home is situated in a traditional hutong courtyard near Houhai, Beijing, with a modest area of just 19 square meters. Given the existing conditions, Qingzhu Architecture sought to explore how young residents in hutongs can enhance their living spaces through thoughtful design and renovation.
△ Courtyard before renovation
Indoor area before renovation
This project is an exploration of time and space. As the newlyweds represent the growing family over time, spatial gaps are intentionally designed to accommodate future possibilities. On a technical level, multiple functional interfaces are integrated to minimize the need for future modifications.
△ Renovation of backyard walls
As the family grows, so do their expectations for a better living environment. Material usage focuses on minimizing on-site painting by leveraging industrial experience gained from building cleaning. Customized components, like spray-finished stairs, are manufactured off-site. Moreover, window openings are combined with a fresh air system to ensure proper ventilation and clean indoor air.
△ Entrance hall shoe cabinet
△ Entrance hall shoe cabinet
△ Kitchen
△ View of the bathroom partition from the kitchen
Bathroom door details
△ Bathroom cabinet
Bathroom cabinet details
△ Toilet
△ Shower room
The renovation respects traditional construction methods by reusing materials. Demolished wall materials were retained and incorporated into new walls, maintaining the original hutong style without deviation.
To better illustrate the living conditions, Qingzhu Architecture documented the house eight months after the newlyweds moved in.
△ Corridor
△ Staircase storage cabinet
△ Staircase storage cabinet
△ Staircase details
△ Living room
△ Electrical distribution box decoration
△ Empty space
△ Beam structure
△ Second floor bedroom
△ Floor plan
Project Information
Project Name: Houhai Wedding House
Location: Houhai, Beijing
Type: Residential
Area: 19 square meters
Design Date: March 5, 2019
Completion Date: January 2020
Architects: Liu Jun, Duan Changxu
Design Firm: Beijing Qingzhu Architectural Design Co., Ltd.
Materials: Concrete, glass, ceramic tiles
Photography: Liu Jun
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