jiejie studio transforms cluttered beijing hutong into luminous workspace

a beijing hutong becomes a modern office

JieJie Studio’s new Beijing office began as a cluttered hutong courtyard in Fang Zhuang Chang Hu Tong. Despite its initial state, the space held promise. A persimmon tree and a rooftop terrace hinted at the potential for a tranquil environment. These elements, along with the dream of opening a teahouse, inspired the studio to renovate the courtyard into its ideal workspace. By the end of 2022, with the pandemic subsiding, JieJie Studio began renovations. The location near the Drum Tower and Nanluoguxiang offered stunning views of the surrounding Shichahai Lake. This picturesque setting became the inspiration for the design concept — the story of Boat-Building.

images © Yumeng Zhu

A Boat adrift on the Shichahai Sea

The green-canopied boat centers the second-floor terrace of JieJie Studio‘s new workspace in Beijing. Perched above the eaves, its form evokes a ship riding the waves, creating a unique ‘stage’ and tea pavilion. The existing terrace walls and stairs were refurbished and incorporated with sail-like elements, further enhancing the nautical theme. The West Pavilion, situated on the west side of the courtyard, functions as both a reception area and a tea room, while the East Pavilion, located on the opposite side, offers flexible workspace with screen partitions dividing it into a design studio area and a tea room/breakout space.

Jie Jie Studio transformed a cluttered courtyard into their new Beijing office

the two pavilions by jiejie studio

Originally, a narrow enclosed space separated the East and West Pavilions of JieJie Studio’s Beijing office. To create a more open and connected feel, the studio incorporated large glass facades on both sides. This design decision offers a continuous visual experience, allowing each pavilion to appear as a picturesque scene across a metaphorical ‘shore.’ The ‘front shop, back workshop’ layout maximizes the space based on its unique location and access points. This practical approach is integrated with the Story of Boat-Building design concept. The result is a workspace that’s both functional and a whimsical dreamscape, pushing the boundaries of spatial imagery.

inspired by the surrounding Shichahai Lake, the design concept became The story of Boat-Building
large glass facades create a continuous visual connection between the East and West Pavilions

the West Pavilion functions as both a reception area and a tea room
the East Pavilion offers flexible workspace with a tea room/breakout space

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project info:

project title: Boat-Building in Shichahai
architecture: JieJie Studio
location: Beijing, China
lead architect: Guanyu Ming
design team: Jincan Cao, Jiawei Li
project area: 120 square meters
completion: May 2023
photography: © Yumeng Zhu | @yumeng_zhu_coppakstudio