The site is located at the south-west corner of a mixed-used courtyard in Xiaojingchang Hutong in Beijing. The site is only 26.1㎡ with four sides connected with the neighbors. The relationship of the jujube tree and toon tree at the entrance with the side provides the foundation of a conversation between architecture and nature.
Exploration of space begins with the prototype of “Siheyuan”, four-sided enclosed courtyard. With the site constrained, the building is enclosed on four-sides. Within the perimeter walls, inner space opens up to nature through a courtyard. Under the constraint of space, the central courtyard is compressed into patio on one side. This kind of enclosed courtyard with a narrow patio is a typical spatial typology in Chinese vernacular architecture, where the enclosed perimeter wall provides privacy and opens inward to nature.
The building consists of two floors and a roof deck. The first floor is a multi-use space: tearoom, social space, conference room, mobile working, and dining. Quality of the space throughout the day changes as the light fells from the skylight and patio at different times.
The second floor is perfect for daily office use with ample lighting. The stairs to the terrace using 8mm steel plates cantilever from the wall appearing aloft also allowing light to enter the lower level.
The north wall is the most expressive section of the building. The light shines through the jujube leaves, the shadow hitting on the white wall surface, changing with time and weather.
The roof deck furthers the conversation between the building and the jujube tree. The design with the cushion and low tea table is intended to lower the body, wrapped around by the jujube tree, building a dimension under the tree for meditation. On the west side, wooden planters are placed as railings to ensure privacy. At the dusk, people sit facing west, through the silhouette of the flowers in the planter, enjoying the sunset.
IAI Architecture Gold Award
Winners：Chen Peixin
China
