MAD architects: 'hutong bubble 32', beijing

MAD architects: ‘hutong bubble 32’, beijing image © fang zhenning / courtesy MAD architects

old beijing is composed of hutongs, alleys of communal courtyard homes. MAD architects has suggested a type of new urban lifestyle by inserting the modern architectural structure ‘hutong bubble 32’ into a traditional hutong building. ‘hutong bubble 32’ includes a bathroom since residents of hutongs usually have limited space with no indoor bathroom, and includes a staircase to the roof garden. taking the shape of a bubble, it is attached to the wooden column and brick structure of the old building.

the bubble latching onto the side of the old hutong buildingimage © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects

the bubble’s reflective surface image © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects

image © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects

the walk-out to the rooftop gardenimage © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects

stairwell to the rooftop gardenimage © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects

image © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects

image © shuhe courtesy MAD architects

image © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects

image © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects

image © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects

image © shuhe courtesy MAD architects

image © shuhe courtesy MAD architects

image courtesy MAD architects

plan courtesy MAD architects plancourtesy MAD architects