![Tree Courtyard / Atelier Jian - Image 1 of 33](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/6dc6/284d/d197/7900/0032/newsletter/吧台与书架_©陈培新___Counter_and_book_shelves_©Peixin_Chen.jpg?1565224381)
-
Architects: Atelier Jian
- Area: 41 m²
- Year: 2018
-
Photographs:Peixin Chen
-
Lead Architect: Peixin Chen
![Tree Courtyard / Atelier Jian - Image 4 of 33](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/6f55/284d/d197/7900/003c/newsletter/楼梯间看向办公区_©陈培新_Looking_at_the_office_from_the_staircase_©Peixin_Chen.jpg?1565224779)
Text description provided by the architects. Site is located at the south-west corner of a mixed-used courtyard in Xiaojingchang Hutong in Beijing. The site is only 26.1㎡ with four sides connected with the neighbors. The relationship of the jujube tree and toon tree at the entrance with the side provides the foundation of a conversation between architecture and nature.
![Tree Courtyard / Atelier Jian - Image 2 of 33](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/6dd4/284d/d154/4b00/0024/newsletter/北侧树影墙_©陈培新_Tree_shadow_projecting_on_the_north_wall_©Peixin_Chen.jpg?1565224394)
Exploration of space begins with the prototype of “Siheyuan”, four-sided enclosed courtyard. With the site constrained, the building is enclosed on four-sides. Within the perimeter walls, inner space opens up to nature through a courtyard. Under the constraint of space, the central courtyard is compressed into patio on one side. This kind of enclosed courtyard with a narrow patio is a typical spatial typology in Chinese vernacular architecture, where the enclosed perimeter wall provides privacy and opens inward to nature.
![Tree Courtyard / Atelier Jian - Image 24 of 33](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/6e24/284d/d197/7900/0034/medium_jpg/剖透视图_©陈培新Perspective_section__©Peixin_Chen.jpg?1565224469)
The building consists of two floors and a roof deck. The first floor is a multi-use space: tearoom, social space, conference room, mobile working and dining. Quality of the space throughout the day changes as the light fells from the skylight and patio among different times.
![Tree Courtyard / Atelier Jian - Image 15 of 33](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/6dff/284d/d154/4b00/0026/newsletter/光线透过天窗进入二层空间_©陈培新_Light_enters_the_second_floor_from_the_skylight__©Peixin_Chen.jpg?1565224437)
![Tree Courtyard / Atelier Jian - Image 5 of 33](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/71f9/284d/d154/4b00/003b/newsletter/天窗自然光_©陈培新_Natural_light_from_the_skylight_©Peixin_Chen_(2).jpg?1565225455)
![Tree Courtyard / Atelier Jian - Image 3 of 33](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/7245/284d/d197/7900/004a/newsletter/天窗自然光_©陈培新_Natural_light_from_the_skylight_©Peixin_Chen.jpg?1565225531)
The second floor is perfect for daily office use with ample lighting. The stairs to the terrace using 8mm steel plates cantilever from the wall appearing aloft also allowing light to enter the lower level.
![Tree Courtyard / Atelier Jian - Image 26 of 33](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/70df/284d/d154/4b00/0035/newsletter/一层平面图_First_Floor_Plan.jpg?1565225171)
The north wall is the most expressive sectionof the building. Light shines through the jujube leaves, the shadow hitting on the white wall surface, changing with time and weather.
![Tree Courtyard / Atelier Jian - Image 17 of 33](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/7037/284d/d154/4b00/0033/medium_jpg/入口_©陈培新_Entrance_©Peixin_Chen.jpg?1565224997)
The roof deck furthers the conversation between the building and the jujube tree. The design with the cushion and low tea table is intended to lower the body, wrapped around by the jujube tree, building a dimension under the tree for meditation. On the west side, wooden planters are placed as railings to ensure privacy. At the dusk, people sit facing west, through the silhouette of the flowers in the planter, enjoying the sunset.
![Tree Courtyard / Atelier Jian - Image 9 of 33](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/7361/284d/d154/4b00/0042/newsletter/枣树_©陈培新_Jujube_Tree_©Peixin_Chen.jpg?1565225813)
![Tree Courtyard / Atelier Jian - Image 25 of 33](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/6e92/284d/d154/4b00/002a/newsletter/剖轴测图_Axonometric_Section.jpg?1565224581)