xian architects uses local brick and woodwork to renovate courtyard house in northern china

surrounded by a forest of chestnut trees, the small-scale structure has been renovated with utmost respect to its original features.

xiānArchitect edited by sofia lekka angelopoulou July 6, 2018 2 min

xian architects has renovated a traditional courtyard house from the seventies, located in a secluded corner of the cashikou village, nearby the northern part of the great wall of china. surrounded by a forest of chestnut trees, the original, small-scale structure includes one living room and two bedrooms of broad proportions, while other buildings in the inner courtyard have been newly constructed.

xian architects uses local brick and woodwork to renovate courtyard house in northern china - 1
the dining room is part of the newly constructed additions

‘we hope the building can have an intrinsic and sophisticated response to both its interior and exterior conditions,’ mention the architects, who have treated the renovation with utmost respect to the existing structure. by decreasing the depth of the building, and lowering the frame, the design ensures the wideness of northern farm houses while maintaining the grandeur of the main structure. in the outer courtyard, the original vegetable sheds and fields have been transformed into resting platforms and gardens, while the water sink has been lifted to suggest a kind of ritual. on the east side, the original storage has been changed into a workshop and tea room, all done in a non-invasive way, using bricks, woodwork and roof made with the finest local craft.

xian architects uses local brick and woodwork to renovate courtyard house in northern china - 2
the water sink on the platform of the outer courtyard

xian architects uses local brick and woodwork to renovate courtyard house in northern china - 3
the semi-open platform is located under a steel tank on the roof, which creates a dim space with great ventilation

xian architects uses local brick and woodwork to renovate courtyard house in northern china - 4
the dining room faces the old house and the east mountain

xian architects uses local brick and woodwork to renovate courtyard house in northern china - 5
a gap between the study and the stone wall of the northern village road creates a central and dim corner

xian architects uses local brick and woodwork to renovate courtyard house in northern china - 6
with the use of heated kang (a long platform traditional in regions of the northern part of china), the house can well survive a severe winter

xian architects uses local brick and woodwork to renovate courtyard house in northern china - 7
this private courtyard is part of the new construction work

xian architects uses local brick and woodwork to renovate courtyard house in northern china - 8
the upper platform between the two blocks acts as a viewing terrace

xian architects uses local brick and woodwork to renovate courtyard house in northern china - 9
the bricks, woodwork and roof are all made with the finest local craft

xian architects uses local brick and woodwork to renovate courtyard house in northern china - 10
the 80 cm projecting cornice ensures sufficient sunlight during winter and a cool interior in summer

xian architects uses local brick and woodwork to renovate courtyard house in northern china - 11
the house in its surroundings during wintertime

xian architects uses local brick and woodwork to renovate courtyard house in northern china - 12
originally, interior walls, ceilings, and windows were all covered with paper

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.