Arch Studio renovated an abandoned hutong in Beijing, creating a house with curving glass walls arranged around internal courtyards.

The courtyards originally contained seven wooden structures that were intact, but the roofs, walls and windows had fallen into disrepair. Instead of restoring the structures to their original form, the architects preserved the original materials but improved the circulation to connect the spaces into a single home.

While the facade and entrance has been largely preserved and rebuilt using the original grey bricks, contemporary elements have been added, including an  arch-shaped glazing around the middle courtyard space.

The home features two tea rooms, a study, dining room and living room situated around the courtyards, which are sheltered by wooden roofs with exposed beams.

This project has been longlisted in the residential rebirth project category of Dezeen Awards 2020.

Architect: Arch Studio
Project: Qishe Courtyard
Read more: Arch Studio