Based on the texture of the Hutong fabric, Liu Hai Hutong is believed to be a small courtyard that is separated from the north side of three adjacent courtyards along a north-south axis, forming a pattern of north and south courtyards. After clarifying property rights and the scope of retention, the design focuses on defining the courtyard landscape and enhancing the interaction between the indoor and outdoor spaces of the northern room. Meanwhile, the remaining linear space on the south side is developed into a kitchen and semi-outdoor public area for the courtyard homestay community.
The courtyard landscape is contained within a compact space, where spatial levels are defined through flooring and landscaping elements. The design aims to provide a rich and cohesive spatial experience despite the limited area. Material details are extended seamlessly from the interior to the courtyard, integrating both indoor and outdoor living and communal spaces.
The structural space of the three-bay northern room shapes the relationship between the upper and lower floors, as well as between the front and back rooms. Traditional column folding systems have been transformed into modern bamboo steel window sills featuring wall depth and varied interactive door panels. This approach highlights the scale of the home and enhances visual connections inside and outside the courtyard.
The bamboo steel facade features reinforced internal and external connections, acting not only as a barrier but also as a bridge between indoor and outdoor spaces through tactile and visual continuity. Architecturally, it occupies the traditional positions of infill panels or windows and doors within the residential framework. Crafted from bamboo steel with a slim 3cm thickness, it combines wood tones with white and dark gray painted metal finishes to express a modern aesthetic.
Below the countertop, shelves cater to the everyday storage needs of the homestay. A glass window on one side directs guests’ views toward the blue tiles and pool on the outdoor floor. The frameless glass corner at the top invites a glimpse of the sky into the space in front of the window. From outside, the uneven thickness of the bamboo steel material lends a warm sense of scale to the courtyard.
Inside the northern room, the original building structure is preserved while distinguishing the upper and lower compartments. A new mezzanine is added at a height that allows for a bathroom underneath, with a mattress placed on top to serve as a bedroom. Instead of traditional railings, a low frame made of bamboo steel and glass maintains visual openness between the mezzanine and the courtyard.
Access to the mezzanine is provided via a wooden staircase connected to the entrance. The first floor functions as a cozy lounge, thoughtfully designed to integrate furniture around the room. This includes a wardrobe embedded beneath the stairs, a shoe rack under the resting platform, and a cohesive combination of a desk, small storage, and facade frame. Warm gray textured cement paint covers the walls below the mezzanine height, creating a subtle and delicate enclosure.
Project Drawings
△ Location Diagram
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Sectional Perspective
△ Sectional Perspective
△ Axonometric Diagram
△ Exploded Diagram
△ Analysis Chart
△ Indoor Exploded Diagram
△ Material Schematic
Project Information
Architect: Wang Weiren Architectural Design and Research Office
Area: 118 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Gao Wenzhong, WWJ ARCH
Manufacturer: Hongya Zhuyuan Technology Co., Ltd
Lead Designer: Wang Weiren
Design Team: Wang Weiren, Qian Jianshi, Wang Haoran
Facade Development: Hongya Zhuyuan Technology Co., Ltd
Construction Company: Beijing Hanjian Group Co., Ltd
Completion Date: January 2020
Client: Beijing Tianheng Zhengyu Investment Development Co., Ltd
Lighting Design: Tongyuan Lighting Design Co., Ltd
Location: Beijing
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