20.4.2024 | 2024年4月20日 星期六
20.4.2024 | 2024年4月20日 星期六
The project's site length is 40m x 80m, and is situated on Jinbao Street in Beijing. The south is approximately opposite the boutique store complex and neighbored to the east by a protected heritage building, the Former Residence of famous writer Shen Congwen.
Based on research into courtyard houses, Chinese traditional residences, this design is in itself a discovery process demonstrating how a modern building can derive the spatial characteristics of the traditional courtyard house. The layout and spatial characteristics of courtyard houses reflects the Chinese' traditional conservative and closed attitude to the outside world, with an open and communal attitude within, where family life was ordered by seniority. The characteristics of these spaces are what a busy, down-town complex featuring boutiques and restaurants need; privacy from the outside, the preservation of an inner space for sharing and exchange, and clear divisions of the zoning.
Due to the site length and width and the requirements of the division of the hotel's feature zones, we have taken a two-entry courtyard house as a reference. Hence, this boutique hotel is divided into two spaces with different properties along the north-south axis. The south area is "a living room", an open space evoking a lively atmosphere, to be used as a restaurant and bar. The north area is "a bedroom", a private space with quiet and peaceful atmosphere, to be used as a hotel bedrooms and spa club. The North and South share an inner courtyard, which is alternately lively and tranquil, thus embodying succinctly the characteristics of the North and South spaces. In layout, the entire base of the building is carpeted as far as possible. Thus in accordance with a pre-designated building area, the building height will be lowered as far as possible. This will bring the building closer in size to the size appropriate to the residences of the traditional courtyard houses whilst reserving an area sufficient for an inner and outer courtyard.
Due to the substitution of the small-scale group of buildings of the traditional courtyard house by one whole building, in addition to the height restriction, for the building's roof, we have chosen a folding approach. Weakening the connecting facades brings a sense of body volume. The folding roof takes different heights. Under the limit of the modules, this creates a dynamic sense of scattered highs and lows. The North-West roof is high and the South-East roof is low. In addition to the feature requirements, this also pays homage to the heritage building of the Former Residence of Shen Congwen on the east-side. Some small pits in the North area of the roof opens as the hotel bedroom's independent private courtyard.
The material of the building's outside is grey zinc-plate and red screenprinting glass. The screenprinting glass pattern is taken from the contemporary art work. This fuses the fashionable material and the spirit of contemporary art with the grey-and-red colouring of Beijing' traditional courtyard houses.
Type: Architecture
Status: Project
Location: Jinbao Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Design Period: 10-11.2007
Plot Area: 3,200 sqm
Gros Building Area: 6,900 sqm
Program: Courtyard-style restaurant, spa, canteen, bar and guest room
Structure/Material: Steel structure, Zinc-panel cladding, Screenprinting glass
Design Team: CHEN Xudong, YAN Mengfei, CHEN Yang
