atelier d’more revives traditional beijing architecture with playful intervention

beijing's 'twosome inn' takes shape with ancient rhythms reimagined by atelier d'more through a contemporary lens.

kat barandy May 26, 2023 3 min

twosome inn: a boutique hotel in beijing

Located in Beijing‘s Tangdazhuang Village, this so-called ‘Twosome Inn’ is a boutique hotel designed by Atelier d’More. The project saw the renovation of a small flat house and hutong courtyard, preserving traditional Chinese architectural elements while incorporating modern geometric designs. Atelier d’More aimed to retain the traditional eaves while simplifying painted patterns, abstractly expressing heritage elements throughout the building.

The architects make use of the red color extracted from the original architecture as the main tone of the project, integrating it into both the building facade and interior furniture. This adds a poetic atmosphere to the space, elevating the visual experience to a spiritual expression.

atelier d'more twosome inn images © Atelier d’More

toward a ‘poetic atmosphere’

The Twosome Inn looks in toward a courtyard redesigned by the team at Atelier d’More to include a small network of curving footpaths, creating four distinct internal zones. This not only established a visual sense of spatial hierarchy but also allowed for flexibility and adaptability in functionality. The landscape area, filled with red volcanic stones, add unites the courtyard with the vibrant red intervention, while cement pathways guide guests towards different guest room spaces, enhancing the overall spatial experience.

atelier d'more twosome inn

Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Connection

To seamlessly connect the indoor and outdoor spaces, the architects removed courtyard-facing walls and installed large floor-to-ceiling glass windows. This design decision blurred the boundaries between the two, creating alternating landscapes and captivating views. The integration of ancient rhythms within a contemporary context was achieved by revealing the original wooden beams under the sloping roofs and using curved surfaces to outline the traditional roof profile. Soft indirect lighting was designed to enhance the spiritual experience within the space.

atelier d'more twosome inn

Atelier d’More’s Twosome Inn showcases the successful fusion of traditional Chinese architecture and modern design. The preservation of classic elements, the infusion of spiritual meaning through color, the creation of spatial hierarchy, the seamless indoor-outdoor connection, and the integration of ancient architectural rhythms all contribute to the unique and captivating ambiance of this boutique hotel.

atelier d'more twosome inn volcanic stones add warmth alongside the contemporary red intervention