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Courtyard35 - Hutong Cloudscape

Way Studio

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Cover Image: Cloudscape allows for an alternate view within the courtyard, enhancing our experience with the Original Architecture, with the New Architecture and with the existing Nature within the space. - Yuan Gao
Mini mixed use commercial space as urban living room. - Yuan Gao
Cloudscape floats above the courtyard - Yuan Gao
Cover Image: Cloudscape allows for an alternate view within the courtyard, enhancing our experience with the Original Architecture, with the New Architecture and with the existing Nature within the space. - Yuan Gao

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Cultural Space
7.16
7.11
7.54
6.76
7.14
Josse Popma
Josse Popma Partner at Popma ter Steege Architects
Original retrofit. Builds on the qu...
7
7
9
7
7.5
Katie Mitchell
Katie Mitchell Managing Director at Seen Studios
7.5
7.5
7
6
7
Burton Baldridge
Burton Baldridge Founder at Baldridge Architects
6
7
7
7
6.75
Arthur Guimarães
Arthur Guimarães Chief Executive Officer at Arthur Guimarães Architects
Really interesting concept and deve...
7.5
8
8
8
7.88
Mark Eric Magno
Mark Eric Magno Principal at Aedas Interiors
7
7.5
7.5
6
7
Xuechen Chen
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
Serhii Makhno Founder at MAKHNO Studio
8
8
9
7
8
Zizhao Li
Zizhao Li Cofounder and Chief Designer at DSC · Design
8
7
9
6
7.5
Pooja Shah-Mulani
Pooja Shah-Mulani Partner and Design Director at LW Design
8.5
7
8.5
6
7.5
Wenqing Zhou
Wenqing Zhou Founder at Add Culture & Creative Development
7.87
7.51
7.81
7.69
7.72
Suvi Saloniemi
Suvi Saloniemi Head of Exhibitions at Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design Museum
5
5
5
6
5.25
Mike McGirr
Mike McGirr Managing Partner and Design Principal at red design
8.19
8.1
8.54
8.99
8.46
Anna Gitelman
Anna Gitelman Associate Professor at Suffolk University
6.5
7
7.5
6
6.75
Jessica Adkins
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
G S Mahaboob Basha Cofounder at Taliesyn
7
8
7
8
7.5
Harkaran Singh Boparai
Harkaran Singh Boparai Founder at Space 5
7.5
6.5
7.5
7
7.13
Yan Zhang
Yan Zhang Cofounder at say architects
6
5
5
5
5.25
Jianan Shan
Jianan Shan Cofounder at say architects
6.3
6.92
6.81
5
6.26
Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Restaurant
7.30
7.26
7.67
6.40
7.16
Josse Popma
Josse Popma Partner at Popma ter Steege Architects
Original retrofit. Builds on the qu...
7
7
8
6
7
Katie Mitchell
Katie Mitchell Managing Director at Seen Studios
7.5
8
7.5
6
7.25
Burton Baldridge
Burton Baldridge Founder at Baldridge Architects
A bit too referential (i.e. SANAA s...
6
8
7
7
7
Arthur Guimarães
Arthur Guimarães Chief Executive Officer at Arthur Guimarães Architects
Interesting combination of material...
7.5
8.5
8
7
7.75
Mark Eric Magno
Mark Eric Magno Principal at Aedas Interiors
7
7.5
7.5
6
7
Xuechen Chen
Xuechen Chen Architectural Designer at X.C Studio
7.8
8.5
7.5
7
7.7
Serhii Makhno
Serhii Makhno Founder at MAKHNO Studio
9
8
7
8
8
Zizhao Li
Zizhao Li Cofounder and Chief Designer at DSC · Design
8
7
9
6
7.5
Pooja Shah-Mulani
Pooja Shah-Mulani Partner and Design Director at LW Design
8.5
7
8.5
6
7.5
Suvi Saloniemi
Suvi Saloniemi Head of Exhibitions at Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design Museum
7
6
9
5
6.75
Mike McGirr
Mike McGirr Managing Partner and Design Principal at red design
7.02
6.39
7.02
8.19
7.16
Wenqing Zhou
Wenqing Zhou Founder at Add Culture & Creative Development
8
7
8
7
7.5
Anna Gitelman
Anna Gitelman Associate Professor at Suffolk University
Introducing sculptural elements and...
8
7.5
7.5
5
7
Jessica Adkins
Jessica Adkins Brand Experience Design Lead Europe at M Moser Associates
7.5
7.5
7.5
7
7.38
Harkaran Singh Boparai
Harkaran Singh Boparai Founder at Space 5
7.5
7
8
7
7.38
G S Mahaboob Basha
G S Mahaboob Basha Cofounder at Taliesyn
With minimum intervention, the kind...
8
8
9
7
8
Yan Zhang
Yan Zhang Cofounder at say architects
5
5
5.5
5
5.13
Jianan Shan
Jianan Shan Cofounder at say architects
5
6.81
6.61
5
5.86
Designer
Floor area
400 ㎡
Completion
2023
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Accessories

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.