Courtyard 35 / WAY Studio

Architects: WAY Studio
Area: 440 m²
Year: 2023
Photography: Yuan Gao, Hao Zeng
Contractor: Beijing Helida Building Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd.
Design Team: Tao Zheng, Fernie Lai, ZeQun Zhang, Wen Fang, TianMo Wang, Yu Chen
City: Beijing
Country: China

Courtyard 35, a renovation project designed by WAY Studio in Beijing, has transformed an old courtyard into an urban attraction with a micro-mixed-use complex. Completed in 2023, the design explores the relationship between old and new, outside and inside, and positive and negative space. A cloudscape insertion mediates the connection between nature, man, and man-made elements, enhancing spatial experiences and integrating the courtyard into Beijing’s urban fabric.

WAY Studio recently renovated an old courtyard in central Beijing, transforming it into an urban attraction with a micro-mixed-use complex. The design considers the relationship between old and new, outside and inside, and positive and negative space. The goal was to create a cloudscape insertion that mediates the relationship between nature, man, and man-made elements, enhancing the spatial experience and integrating the courtyard into Beijing’s urban fabric.

The project emphasizes creating for the present with consideration of the future and the past. The architects aimed to show that preserving Chinese tradition involves innovation rather than mere replication of historical structures. Located near the imperial palace, the courtyard once housed the royal extended family. By the 1990s, after multiple renovations, it had become an irregular space with mixed decorative styles, lacking unity. One block away is Wangfujing, a bustling commercial hub.

To tap into the energy of the nearby commercial area while respecting the historic center, the design focuses on the courtyard’s negative space. This approach transformed the courtyard into an urban and public space, creating a natural gathering place. The cloudscape bridge reshapes the spatial order, changing perceptions of traditional courtyards. The project retains the courtyard’s essence while redefining the flow of space and incorporating various functional areas, turning it into a small commercial complex.

The cloud bridge, an installation piece, plays with the concept of the void. It frames moments with nature in the urban landscape and redefines the relationship between the natural and man-made spaces. The bridge, a twisted mirror image, abstracts the surroundings and offers visitors an unexpected experience. It reorganizes the relationship between the building and the void, creating new ways to navigate the space.

The design integrates old and new elements, preserving the essence of the Siheyuan while introducing contemporary features. The cloud bridge creates a higher perspective of the courtyard, with traditional rooftops appearing like mountain peaks among the clouds. This design enhances the interaction between architecture, nature, and users, redefining the architectural landscape and fostering social interaction.

WAY Studio’s renovation considered core functionalities while maintaining flexibility in other spaces. The design includes a small coffee and tea shop, an exhibition shop, a restaurant bar, a VIP room, and a Chinese cultural exchange studio. This approach respects traditional Chinese architecture while catering to contemporary cultural and social needs.

The design of Courtyard 35 explores Chinese aesthetic values, encouraging an imaginative journey between modern functionality and abstract Chinese aesthetics. Inspired by the poem “Inquiries in the Mountains” by Li Bai, the design aims to create “a world apart,” integrating experience and functionality in a fluid state.