people’s architecture office propose to adapt beijing hutong into cultural arts center
all images courtesy of people’s architecture office

 

 

 

people’s architecture office have unveiled their competition proposal for the beijing culture and art center located in the city’s historic district. planned to be based within a traditional hutong / courtyard house, the brief called for the building – previously a private clubhouse – to be renovated, while retaining as much of its original character.

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the render shows some areas stripped from its decoration to expose the concrete underneath

 

 

 

the resulting approach sees a restrained balance between the existing structure but at the same time explores the scheme’s irony of placing a new art institution in a revered typology of beijing. although concrete would be reverted back to its original, exposed nature, the interiors would be furnished kitschy, illustrated by surface adornment on beams and surfaces throughout.

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the café area will facilitate social meetings

 

 

 

the clubhouse’s floorplan will be maximized by expanding and removing walls since most are not loadbearing. large sliding glass doors line either side of the yard to allow activity to spill out from the interior to the exterior. the basement will be fitted to accommodate exhibitions, performances and film screenings. created as an open space with a system of custom designed partitions, the large openings between the first floor and basement provide visual connections between the levels.

 

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PAO proposes kitschy interiors, saturated with neon colors with european molding, and gold plaster

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set in a traditional courtyard house, this floor organization will allow activity to be moved to the outdoors

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large sliding glass doors line either side of the yard to allow activity to spill out from the interior to the exterior

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the basement would be used for performances and film screening

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project info:

 

 

architecture: people’s architecture office
principals: he zhe, james shen, zang feng
project team: zhang minghui, gao tianxia, lu jing, li jianfeng, lin tianquan
design year: 2014
client: BCAC
alliance contestants: china academy of building research 
land area：1450 m2
location: wudaoying hutong, beijing