Based on the texture of the alley, it can be inferred that Liuhai Hutong is a small courtyard separated from the north side of the three entrance courtyard in a north-south direction, with a layout of north and south courtyards. After clarifying the property rights and retention scope, the design focus is on the spatial definition of the courtyard landscape and the interaction between the indoor and outdoor spaces of the north room. At the same time, the linear space remaining in the south will be developed into a kitchen and semi outdoor public space in the courtyard homestay community..
In a compact courtyard, the spatial hierarchy is defined through paving and landscape, striving to create a rich and overall spatial experience in the small environment. The material details extend from the interior to the courtyard, integrating indoor and outdoor living and community spaces..
The design defines the cross-sectional relationship between the upper bunk, lower living, front and back rooms through the three bay structural space of the north room, transforming the traditional column folding system into a modern bamboo steel window sill wall depth and a multi-dimensional interactive door leaf switch, reflecting the scale of the home body and the visual perception inside and outside the courtyard..
The thickened bamboo steel fa ç ade serves as a partition between indoor and outdoor spaces, and also connects them through physical perception and line of sight. At the architectural level, it is located in the filling or door and window positions within the traditional residential structural framework, but through the bamboo steel window frame with a thickness of only 3cm, the wood color is mainly combined with the material sense of white and dark gray painted metal, obtaining a modern language. The shelves below the countertop are suitable for the daily placement of items in homestays, and the glass window on one side directs guests’ gaze towards the green tiles and pools on the outdoor ground. The top glass corner is frameless, incorporating a small piece of sky into the window space. From the outside, the thickness and unevenness of the bamboo steel material bring a warm sense of scale to the courtyard..
In the north room, which retains the original building structure, a new mezzanine is added to meet the sufficient height of the bathroom below. The mezzanine is equipped with a mattress and used as a bedroom. The low frame composed of bamboo, steel, and glass replaces the handrails, maintaining a visual connection between the mezzanine and the courtyard. The mezzanine is connected to the entrance through a wooden staircase. The first floor is a small lounge, designed to integrate furniture around the room, such as a wardrobe embedded under the stairs, shoe racks under the rest platform, and a desktop, small storage, and facade framework integrated. The warm gray textured cement paint integrates the walls below the interlayer height, creating a delicate wrapping sensation..
