Best Modern Examples of Ancient Courtyard Renovations in China

Chinese courtyard houses are one of the most common housing typologies spanning all the way from the northern capital of Beijing to the poetic southern cities Hangzhou and back to the picturesque regions of Yunnan. Typically referred as heyuan, these courtyards homes are simply a “yard enclosed on four sides."

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Traditionally, heyuans were large single-family homes, built to house multiple generations of descendants, thus the essential gathering place for micro-communities. Today, however, many heyuans in China are faced with the challenges of encroaching urban development. The national reforms of the 1950s divided up many existing courtyards to be occupied by multiple families and groups, exhausting ancient sanitation systems nationwide.

These practical circumstances together with market-driven conditions have sparked a renewed interest among architects, to upgrade the conditions of these ancient courtyards and explore the spatial and conceptual possibilities of the typology within their fast-changing urban fabric.

Micro-Yuan’er / ZAO/standardarchitecture

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Micro-Yuan’er / ZAO/standardarchitecture. Image © Mingming Zhang

Zhu’an Residence / Zhaoyang Architects

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Zhu’an Residence / Zhaoyang Architects. Image © Hao Chen

Courtyard House Plugin en Masse – Second Phase / People's Architecture Office

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Courtyard House Plugin en Masse – Second Phase / People's Architecture Office. Image Courtesy of People's Architecture Office (PAO)

One Person Gallery / Wutopia Lab

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One Person Gallery / Wutopia Lab. Image © SHAO Feng

Tea House in Li Garden / Atelier Deshaus

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Tea House in Li Garden / Atelier Deshaus. Image © Fangfang Tian

Cave House in Loess Plateau / hyperSity Architects

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Cave House in Loess Plateau / hyperSity Architects. Image Courtesy of hyperSity Architects

Eight Tenths Garden / Wutopia Lab

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Eight Tenths Garden / Wutopia Lab. Image © CreatAR Images

Dongyuan Qianxun Community Center / Scenic Architecture Office

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Dongyuan Qianxun Community Center / Scenic Architecture Office. Image © Shengliang Su

Transform and Rethink / Hu Yue Studio

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Transform and Rethink / Hu Yue Studio. Image © Chaoying Yang + Su Chen

Bamboo Forest on the Roof / V STUDIO

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Bamboo Forest on the Roof / V STUDIO. Image © Weiqi Jin

Yi She Mountain Inn / DL Atelier

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Yi She Mountain Inn / DL Atelier. Image © Haiting Sun

Shidao Resort / Duoxiang Studio

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Shidao Resort / Duoxiang Studio. Image © Haiting Sun + Chen Bai

Fuchun Kosa Zou Ma Lou / Atelier Archmixing

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Fuchun Kosa Zou Ma Lou / Atelier Archmixing. Image Courtesy of Atelier Archmixing

Xiezuo Hutong Capsule Hotel / B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio

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Xiezuo Hutong Capsule Hotel in Beijing / B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio. Image © Ruijing Photo

HE-Restaurant / GOA

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HE-Restaurant / GOA. Image Courtesy of GOA

Twisting Courtyard / ARCHSTUDIO

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Twisting Courtyard / ARCHSTUDIO. Image © Weiqi Jin + Ning Wang

Teahouse in Hutong / ARCHSTUDIO

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Teahouse in Hutong / ARCHSTUDIO. Image © Ning Wang

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Cite: ArchDaily Team. "Best Modern Examples of Ancient Courtyard Renovations in China" 26 Jul 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/887961/best-modern-examples-of-ancient-courtyard-renovations-in-china> ISSN 0719-8884

Tea House in Li Garden / Atelier Deshaus. Image © Fangfang Tian

横跨中国南北,中式合院改造合集

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