DCA renovates and redesigns yangtai shan mountain dwelling

DCA renovates and redesigns yangtai shan mountain dwelling
all images courtesy of DCA

yangtai shan mountain, west of beijing, is a well-known country retreat for city dwellers. the springtime landscape overflows with orchards, blanketing the valley in a coat of flowering trees that sway gently in the warm breeze. here, is the chosen location for a country home by design crew for architecture (DCA). when purchased, an existing structure was present on the site; typical of local empirical construction both formally and functionally. from the original L-shaped plan, DCA organized a complimentary design that closes the shape to create a square form with an enclosed central courtyard.

curved traditional roof profile

the south east corner utilizes the curved roof profiles of the dwelling’s origins. its traditional roofing gives the building a good mix of historic and contemporary, and provides generous ceiling heights for important rooms. locally sourced brick is used as the main construction material and characterizes expressionistic façades. alternating solid and screen walls are repeated on external walls and interior courtyard linking home, heritage, and landscape into a quiet bubble to share moments with family and friends while escaping from the capital’s stress.

the design includes original structural elements

locally sourced brick screen wall and entrance

front foyer 

traditional roofing allowed for very generous ceiling heights

interior 

roof and view to central courtyard

renovated interior of existing structure 

the updated plan closes off an interior courtyard space 

the home is located in the yangtai shan mountain region west of beijing

floor plan

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