ZAO/standardarchitecture presents co-living courtyard inside beijing hutong

beijing design week: for the baitasi remade program, architecture firms were given the task to explore the urban renewal of beijing’s hutong areas by integrating communal engagement, updating the infrastructure and introduce making-and-sharing into these cultural neighborhoods. one of the baitasi projects showcased this year is ‘co-living courtyard’ by zhang ke of ZAO/standard architecture who is also nominated for this year’s aga hkan award for the design of the hutong children’s library and art centre.

the project is located baitasi – beijing’s new design neighborhood

the co-living courtyard by zhang ke demonstrates a sustainable renewal strategy targeted for the historical fabric in the old neighborhood in beijing. both public and private co-living possibilities is explored within the traditional courtyard structure. this challenges the ways of integrating amenities within the compact space to influence a more comfortable living situation in a hutong.

the baitasi remade focuses on urban renewal and communal engagement

the scheme is located in the baitasi district; the 150 sqm courtyard was renovated into a co-existing space with three courtyards accommodating various scales and shared by two different properties. the first is a 8 sqm living unit inserted containing the necessities for a couple to live in. meanwhile, the other features a larger space used for exhibition for the public. furthermore, a service core comprised on a kitchen, bathroom, laundry and storage is implanted to this public space to introduce amenities that are largely lacking in hutongs.

the main room has been opened to the public as an exhibition space

the project is the first steps of using hutongs as a blueprint to inject new vitality and making use of these culturally important spaces. ultimately, once propagated, these architectural studies could lead to the improvement of infrastructure problems and simultaneously improving the life of local residents.

the renovated courtyard

the BTS remade project is under the creative direction of beatrice leanza and aims at exploring unprecedented modes of collectively rethinking the sustainability of life in the city. networked systems for knowledge, a making-and-sharing focus, all within the human-scaled dimension of traditional settlements like beijing’s hutong areas, to eventually shape new urban communities.

these valuable hutong spaces are an important part of beijing’s urban fabric