Existing old yard buildings tend to have more than three yards, so it's not easy to convert them. However, this old courtyard in Beijing called Mingqishe has been updated thanks to a designer's ingenious plan.
As you enter courtyard, curved roofs on either side form an arc of scene frame that includes building, large trees in backyard, and sky in landscape. It retains Republic of China charm of original building.
The courtyard of second entrance is courtyard of social activities. In combination with original layout of building with one facade, two outbuildings and three houses, living room, tea room, dining room and kitchen are respectively arranged.
The houses are connected by gentle slopes combined with transparent corridors to enhance connection between inner public space and courtyard.
Sanjin's courtyard is used as a residential courtyard, including two bedrooms, a tea room, an office, and other spaces. The old building still has a drawing of facade and hatchback, and three old trees grow in yard.
The interior layout is symmetrical with respect to roof ridge, and two bathrooms adjoin a small courtyard, providing good lighting and ventilation.
The original structure of building in bedroom is completely preserved, with some damaged components still being replaced with pine wood materials. New porches, doors and windows, and some furniture use bamboo steel as new "wood" to match old wood.
After renovation, whole building looks like a crouching dragon. The blue brick is simple and energetic, white walls are simple and elegant, and glass corridors are more transparent and unhurried. The building and its natural environment have changed. achieved effect of mutual integration.