d+a | Issue 116 • Jun/July 2020

/ ABODE / 72 form of accommodation for male servants and gatekeepers as they are the least desirable spot in the entire siheyuan . However, as these were no longer relevant in our modern times, the team decided to utilise that space for a more immediate need — a garage. The entrance gateway was shifted to the east and the walls of the daozuo fang were removed. The original pillars were also replaced with steel structural beams to support the pitched roof, and a spacious car park was born. In addition, the wall between the front and middle courtyards was dismantled and replaced by a transparent veranda. Han explains that the original siheyuan had too many partition walls, resulting in many small, cramped spaces and limited natural lighting in the rooms. These were removed to create a continuous flow between the three courtyards. “The veranda acts as a connector between the three separate courtyards, optimising functional indoor space, natural lighting and scenic views,” explains Han. It adopts a frame structure of ribbed beams to better blend in with the old construction. Variations in appearance were also made, according to the different landscapes and spatial functions. For example, the roof of the veranda at the entrance curves slightly upwards to form a rounded arc with the curved edges of the pitched roofs at both sides, creating an interesting view of the ancient tree in the back courtyard against the sky. Amenities such as bathrooms, a kitchen and equipment room were added to the newly- ABOVE. The walls between the front and middle courtyards were dismantled and replaced by a transparent veranda to create a continuous flow between the three courtyards. QISHE COURTYARD LOCATION Beijing China / COMPLETION 2020 / SITE AREA 500m 2 / ARCHITECT ARCHSTUDIO / LEAD ARCHITECT Han Wenqiang / C&S CONSULTANT Bamboo Era