MAD has overhauled a vacant courtyard house in an ancient hutong in Beijing, adding two bubble-like sculptures.

Hutong Bubble 218 is a renovation project, which involved redesigning a traditional Qing Dynasty courtyard house.

The project aims to revitalise Beijing's old hutong neighborhoods that have been confronted with degradation and demolition due to rapid development.

The studio explained that urban reactivation doesn't require large-scale change; the scheme introduces "bubbles" along a linear street to provide a new urban space, demonstrating how small-scale interventions can attract diverse generations, activities and resources into these neglected communities.

The  bubble-like sculptures are wrapped in mirrored stainless steel to help them blend in by reflecting their surroundings.

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

Architect: MAD
Project: Hutong Bubble 218
Read more: MAD