DCA renovates and redesigns yangtai shan mountain dwelling
all images courtesy of DCA
yangtai shan mountain, west of beijing, is a well-known country retreat for city dwellers. the springtime landscape overflows with orchards, blanketing the valley in a coat of flowering trees that sway gently in the warm breeze. here, is the chosen location for a country home by design crew for architecture (DCA). when purchased, an existing structure was present on the site; typical of local empirical construction both formally and functionally. from the original L-shaped plan, DCA organized a complimentary design that closes the shape to create a square form with an enclosed central courtyard.
curved traditional roof profile
the south east corner utilizes the curved roof profiles of the dwelling’s origins. its traditional roofing gives the building a good mix of historic and contemporary, and provides generous ceiling heights for important rooms. locally sourced brick is used as the main construction material and characterizes expressionistic façades. alternating solid and screen walls are repeated on external walls and interior courtyard linking home, heritage, and landscape into a quiet bubble to share moments with family and friends while escaping from the capital’s stress. 
the design includes original structural elements
locally sourced brick screen wall and entrance
front foyer
traditional roofing allowed for very generous ceiling heights
interior
roof and view to central courtyard
renovated interior of existing structure
the updated plan closes off an interior courtyard space
the home is located in the yangtai shan mountain region west of beijing
floor plan
designboom has received this project through its ‘DIY submissions’ feature, which welcomes readers to submit their own work for publication. see more designboom readers submissions here.
