Under the Mountains
Heading northeast from the heart of Beijing, you reach Wanzhuangzi Village, nestled among mountains on three sides. The area features winding roads and the familiar sounds of village life—chickens and dogs. The project site is situated at the southeastern corner of the village entrance, facing the scenic Peach Blossom Sea to the east.
The main house, located on the northern side of the site, along with a persimmon tree over 200 years old, has been carefully preserved. During renovation, the goal was to create a structure that harmonizes with rural surroundings, telling the story and memories of village life.
Integrating with the Village
The entrance gate was relocated to the east, guiding visitors from Taoyuan into the courtyard. The entrance features a seating area accessible to both homestay guests and villagers, blending the building naturally into village life. The layout connects new and old structures, transforming the interior spaces dramatically.
The new building’s roof slopes inward toward the courtyard, echoing the architectural style of the older structures and the village itself. Variations in roof height create a mezzanine level, offering diverse sleeping spaces while framing views of the surrounding landscape within the courtyard and building.
Bridging Inside and Outside
The courtyard features two twin courtyards of different sizes. Their varying scale, position, and enclosure create distinct living environments, each with its own atmosphere. A low-volume structure linking the new and old buildings acts as a terrace, offering expansive views of the mountains and the village below.
Tradition Meets Modernity – Lessons from the Village
During a survey of the village’s architecture, the designer observed a unique resourcefulness born from limited material availability. The buildings use readily available materials such as red bricks, tiles, hollow concrete blocks, and prefabricated concrete slabs combined in a way that creates a raw, organic architectural style.
Inspired by this, the renovation employs mixed masonry techniques, combining recycled red bricks, rubble, and modern materials to maintain this vernacular aesthetic.
The concrete surfaces were cast using rattan mats—common rural household items—as formwork, imprinting a warm, rustic texture that celebrates the area’s unique rural character.
Project Drawings
△ Plan View
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Wall Detail Drawing
△ Exploded Diagram
Project Information
Project Name: Ya Ji Su Ji 98 # Courtyard
Project Type: Architecture / Interior / Renovation – Village House Homestay Renovation Design
Location: Wanzhuangzi Village, Pinggu District, Beijing
Design Firm: Beijing Composite Architectural Design Consulting Co., Ltd
Principal Architect: Zhang Peng
Design Team: Zhang Xueying, Zhang Lifang
Owner: Shared International
Cost: 1.3 million RMB
Status: Completed
Design Period: March – May 2022
Construction Period: May – August 2022
Land Area: 320 sqm
Building Area: 280 sqm
Structural Engineer: Hu Xiaojie
Mechanical & Electrical: Zhao Shien
Photographers: Zhao Yangxun, Zhang Peng
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