napp studio’s mutant yard development reorganises beijing’s hutong lifestyle

napp studio’s ‘mutant yard’ proposal introduces an organic and flexible architectural system based on beijing’s hutong lifestyle. hutongs are a type of narrow streets or alleys found predominantly in beijing, which are formed in lines of siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences. the firm has proposed a scheme which would incorporate this traditional structure with the surrounding neighbourhood and various programmatic situations.  

courtyard at night

napp studio has proposed a contemporary version of the siheyuan structure, which is able to sit within a tiny (33 sq.m) plot, housed within a single central courtyard. this feature opens out onto the street, encouraging interaction between neighbours and visitors. the building is not a replica of the traditional grey-brick pitched roof, but a rennovation which preserves traces of historic details, injecting new energy into the old urban fabric.

central introvert courtyard 

plan

axonometric

configurations diagram

section A

section B 

entrance movable wall detail

project info:

architects: napp studio
designers: chris tsui chun shing, tsang aron wai chun, wesley ho hung lai, liao yu ching
status: conceptual design
location: beijing, china
floor area: 70 sq.m

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

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