people’s architecture office inserts modular home in beijing courtyard
all images courtesy of people’s architecture office

 

 

 

envisioned as a ‘house within a house’, people’s architecture office (PAO) has developed a prefabricated modular system that plugs into traditional chinese hutongs. appropriately named, ‘the courtyard house plugin’ is designed to bring modern living standards and energy efficiency to existing structures that are centuries old, while ensuring that they remain fully intact.

 

located within beijing’s historic and central dashilar district, the scheme forms part of the district’s urban regeneration pilot – a collaborative initiative lead by beijing design week alongside the local community. the program looks to new perspectives and solutions to improve living standards for residents, making creative thinking a question of everyday life.

内盒院-设计邦-Before-after-South-House-1
the dilapidated courtyard prior to the insertion of the plugin

 

 

 

the courtyards were once filled with multiple families, while today they are left dilapidated and vacated as residents relocate for newer suburban housing. in dashilar, the cost of renovating or rebuilding often outweighs financial benefits to their owners. the old structures lack insulation and can be permanently damaged with the insertion of new interventions. more importantly, parts of these courtyards are still occupied by other families, and structural upgrades may infringe upon their space or privacy. consequently, neglected hutong structures are a common sight in modern-day dashilar.

内盒院-设计邦-Before-after-South-House-2
the modular device is constructed from prefabricated composite panels

 

 

 

providing a solution to this problem, the plugin device is constructed from prefabricated composite panels that incorporate structure, insulation, services, apertures, and interior and exterior finishes into one molded part. the lightweight modular units can be snapped together using a single hex wrench, and are able to be fully assembled within a minimal timeframe. ‘courtyard 72’, shown here as the scheme’s first prototype, functions as a live/work space for guest researchers investigating the urban condition of the dashilar region. the scheme offers 40 square meters of office programming in addition to a 20 square meter room with a private bathroom.

内盒院-设计邦-Before-after-North-House-1
the scheme forms part of the district’s urban regeneration pilot – a collaborative initiative lead by beijing design week

 

 

 

the plan extends the life of courtyard houses by upgrading their relevant functions while maintaining the state of the original building – presenting an alternative approach to preservation. fundamentally, the ambition of the project is to renew interest in beijing’s historic neighborhoods not as tourist destinations, but as active and comfortable places for living.

内盒院-设计邦-Before-after-North-House-2
the concept is designed to bring modern living standards and energy efficiency to existing structures

内盒院-设计邦-courtyard-day01-a
‘courtyard 72’ functions as a live/work space for guest researchers investigating the urban condition of the region

内盒院-设计邦-courtyard-day04
the scheme offers 40 square meters of office programming in addition to a 20 square meter room

内盒院-设计邦-courtyard-night-0
the newly inserted entrance space

内盒院-设计邦-courtyard-night-01-a
the ambition of the project is to renew interest in beijing’s historic neighborhoods

内盒院-设计邦-courtyard-night-02-a
rather than a preserved museum, the courtyard is envisioned as an active and utilized part of the community

内盒院-设计邦-Guest-Room-1
the bedroom inside the single storey unit

内盒院-设计邦-Guest-Room-3
an area of seating within the home

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library, study and office space

内盒院-设计邦-gif-animation
the prefabricated composite panels can be assembled quickly and easily

 

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