archstudio renovates hutong house into a bright and clear residence

archstudio renovates hutong house into a bright and clear residence
image © xia zhi

beijing-based archstudio has renovated the interiors of a grey brick house for a young couple located in a hutong within the dongcheng district. the brick and concrete structured building consists of three floors, one of them underground, making the illumination of the residence the biggest concern related to the design. the project’s aim was to improve the interior based on the conditions left by the previous owner and to reshape it into a bright transparent and clean atmosphere that would create an interesting contrast with the outside.

the interior was reshaped into a bright transparent clean atmosphere
image © wang ning

to achieve a sense of lightness and fluidity, white was used as the main color, bringing the space back into a pure and abstract state. part of the floor slabs of the original building were cut off, turning the stairs into a light beam that flows through all the levels thanks to the roof aperture. the two-centimeter steel stair steps combined with the five-centimeter perforated handrails add a soft and airy sensation to the environment, accompanied by an exposed brick wall on its rear side painted in white that creates an allusion to the past. 

white was used as the main color bringing the project back to an initial pure state
image © xia zhi

in order to accommodate the owner’s book collection, numerous shelves were built-in into the house. the wooden doors were made into a grid that sometimes continues into the ceiling, embracing the whole space. this introduction of grids also serves to filter sights, lighting, and views, enabling the interior to enjoy peace and tranquility.

bookcases were built-in to host the owner’s book collection
image © xia zhi

the grid doors continue into the ceiling
image © wang ning

the skylight serves to illuminate the three floors of the residence…
image © xia zhi

as well as into separating walls
image © xia zhi 

a soft and airy sensation is added to the stairs thanks to the 2cm steel stair steps and the 5cm perforated handrails 
image © xia zhi

thanks to the cut floor slabs, natural light reaches the basement
image © wang ning 

a grid was used to create a composition that embraces all the space
image © zhang linhan

 
a rooftop terrace emphasizes on the contrast between the house and the neighborhood
image © xia zhi

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edited by: juliana neira | designboom