Courtyard35 is the renovation of an old secluded courtyard in the centre of Beijing. Incorporating a cafe, a restaurant, a gallery, a boutique, and a mini cultural exchange centre. In the design, WAY Studio considers the relationship between old and new, between outside and inside, working with the negative space, creating a cloudscape insertion that mediates the relationship between nature, man, and man-made, further enhancing its relationship with its surroundings, and adding to the urban fabric of Beijing. The insertion of the cloudscape bridge reshapes spatial order and changes preconceptions about repurposing existing courtyards.
The cloud-bridge sweeps through the yard like the flowing stroke of a calligrapher, unveiling a piece of spatial poetry. It not only redefines the skyline of the traditional SiHeYuan, but forges new relationships. The belly of the cloud-bridge is of twisted mirror images floating above, abstracting the immediate surroundings while embracing two existing ancient trees within the courtyard. The bridge becomes an extension of the architecture, reorganizing the relationship between building and void, altering the way the space is navigated. The cloud-bridge not only redefines the architectural landscape but also serves as a medium for social interaction, bringing vitality and a new dimension to the traditional courtyard.
There is careful consideration for “core functionalities”, while maintaining a degree of ambiguity in all other common spaces in order to maximize flexibility, achieving spatial sustainability. This design not only respects the nature of space within traditional Chinese architecture but also caters to contemporary needs for cultural activities and social interactions. The integration of these elements within the Siheyuan framework demonstrates a thoughtful approach to preserving cultural heritage while accommodating modern functionalities, providing a perfect space conducive to cultural activities. This approach to design ensures that the Siheyuan remains a relevant and integral part of the community's social fabric.
Courtyard35 - Hutong Cloudscape
Way Studio
Silver
Silver

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Josse Popma
Partner
at Popma ter Steege Architects
Original retrofit.
Builds on the qu...
7
7
9
7
7.5

Katie Mitchell
Managing Director
at Seen Studios
7.5
7.5
7
6
7

Burton Baldridge
Founder
at Baldridge Architects
6
7
7
7
6.75

Arthur Guimarães
Chief Executive Officer
at Arthur Guimarães Architects
Really interesting concept and deve...
7.5
8
8
8
7.88

Mark Eric Magno
Principal
at Aedas Interiors
7
7.5
7.5
6
7

Xuechen Chen
Architectural Designer
at X.C Studio
The concept of contrasting modern a...
7.8
7.5
8
7.5
7.7

Serhii Makhno
Founder
at MAKHNO Studio
8
8
9
7
8

Zizhao Li
Cofounder and Chief Designer
at DSC · Design
8
7
9
6
7.5

Pooja Shah-Mulani
Partner and Design Director
at LW Design
8.5
7
8.5
6
7.5

Wenqing Zhou
Founder
at Add Culture & Creative Development
7.87
7.51
7.81
7.69
7.72

Suvi Saloniemi
Head of Exhibitions
at Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design Museum
5
5
5
6
5.25

Mike McGirr
Managing Partner and Design Principal
at red design
8.19
8.1
8.54
8.99
8.46

Anna Gitelman
Associate Professor
at Suffolk University
6.5
7
7.5
6
6.75

Jessica Adkins
Brand Experience Design Lead Europe
at M Moser Associates
7.3
7.5
7.5
7.5
7.45

G S Mahaboob Basha
Cofounder
at Taliesyn
7
8
7
8
7.5
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Harkaran Singh Boparai
Founder
at Space 5
7.5
6.5
7.5
7
7.13

Yan Zhang
Cofounder
at say architects
6
5
5
5
5.25

Jianan Shan
Cofounder
at say architects
6.3
6.92
6.81
5
6.26

Josse Popma
Partner
at Popma ter Steege Architects
Original retrofit.
Builds on the qu...
7
7
8
6
7

Katie Mitchell
Managing Director
at Seen Studios
7.5
8
7.5
6
7.25

Burton Baldridge
Founder
at Baldridge Architects
A bit too referential (i.e. SANAA s...
6
8
7
7
7

Arthur Guimarães
Chief Executive Officer
at Arthur Guimarães Architects
Interesting combination of material...
7.5
8.5
8
7
7.75

Mark Eric Magno
Principal
at Aedas Interiors
7
7.5
7.5
6
7

Xuechen Chen
Architectural Designer
at X.C Studio
7.8
8.5
7.5
7
7.7

Serhii Makhno
Founder
at MAKHNO Studio
9
8
7
8
8

Zizhao Li
Cofounder and Chief Designer
at DSC · Design
8
7
9
6
7.5

Pooja Shah-Mulani
Partner and Design Director
at LW Design
8.5
7
8.5
6
7.5

Suvi Saloniemi
Head of Exhibitions
at Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design Museum
7
6
9
5
6.75

Mike McGirr
Managing Partner and Design Principal
at red design
7.02
6.39
7.02
8.19
7.16

Wenqing Zhou
Founder
at Add Culture & Creative Development
8
7
8
7
7.5

Anna Gitelman
Associate Professor
at Suffolk University
Introducing sculptural elements and...
8
7.5
7.5
5
7

Jessica Adkins
Brand Experience Design Lead Europe
at M Moser Associates
7.5
7.5
7.5
7
7.38
.jpeg)
Harkaran Singh Boparai
Founder
at Space 5
7.5
7
8
7
7.38

G S Mahaboob Basha
Cofounder
at Taliesyn
With minimum intervention, the kind...
8
8
9
7
8

Yan Zhang
Cofounder
at say architects
5
5
5.5
5
5.13

Jianan Shan
Cofounder
at say architects
5
6.81
6.61
5
5.86
Designer
Floor area
400 ㎡
Completion
2023
Accessories