Sleeping Lab·Arch / Atelier D'More

Architects: Atelier d’More
Area: 249 m²
Year: 2022
Manufacturers: MI, Nippon Paint, Soloft
Lead Architects: Wei Wang, Le Sheng
Landscape: Atelier d’More
Design Team: Yanrong Wei, Yan Chen, Fei Yan, Yupeng Xu(intern)
Client: Sleeping Lab
Photography: Courtesy of Atelier d’More
City: Beijing
Country: China

The Sleeping Lab designed by Atelier d’More in Huangmuchang Village, Beijing, transforms a weathered two-story brick-concrete building, formerly a residential office, into the Sleep Institute’s first B&B project near Beijing Universal Studios. The renovation aims to restore the building’s exterior and create an engaging, private courtyard that integrates the indoor and outdoor environments, enhancing the guest experience.

Sleeping Lab is situated in Huangmuchang Village, Zhangjiawan Town, Tongzhou District, Beijing. This area features uniform small houses with white walls and red windows, reflecting a 600-year history. The 600-year history of the Royal New Village can still be felt here. There is no farmland here, but it resembles the back garden of Beijing. The two-story brick-concrete structure, positioned prominently in the village’s northwest, was previously used as a residential office. Atelier d’More was tasked with converting it into the Sleep Institute’s first B&B project near Beijing Universal Studios, focusing on refurbishing the weathered exterior walls and wind-blown eaves.

Lacking natural surrounding scenery, Atelier d’More designed an inward view with a private garden, resulting in an enclosed courtyard space. The south wall has limited viewing frames, isolating noise while framing the blue sky and white clouds. Large glass windows integrate the courtyard’s scenery and light into the indoor space, enhancing the interior experience.

Dividing the 100 square meter rectangular courtyard into several small semi-enclosed courtyards creates an inner courtyard environment. Each courtyard features a small tree as its focal point (to be planted post-completion), organically connecting the courtyards and facilitating interactions between the tearoom, guest rooms, walls, and the courtyard within a multi-level space. Visitors can explore the building’s interior from their own perspective, with shadows and light creating dynamic, poetic spaces.

The design employs a quarter arc motif, flowing freely yet rigorously, adding tension through geometric composition. The facade’s outward extension brings the building closer to nature, blending architecture, nature, and people. The white facade gives the building an abstract, sculptural appearance, with white materials blurring the boundaries between walls and the top, merging flowing spaces and natural light for a pure, imaginative experience.

Atelier d’More has extensive experience in designing prefabricated assembled furniture, streamlining the traditionally slow automation process in the decoration industry. The concept of furniture assembly activates automatic gears for construction, allowing clients to participate. This approach turns construction into an enjoyable activity for workers, designers, and owners. Many interior decorations can be assembled on-site with prefabricated components, making this method valuable for low-cost projects.

Strict cost control defines this project, emphasizing the use of simple materials and techniques to create a distinctive space experience. The use of white is central, embodying purity and simplicity. Each line and connection in the space is meticulously crafted, aiming to weave a simple dreamscape. The white space, like a marshmallow enveloping an ant, creates a serene environment isolated from the outside world, offering a poetic experience.