HUTONG MEMORY

Year: 2017

Instructor: Chen-Cheng Chen

The DongSi district in Beijing is the chosen site for my project, known for its rich collection of hutongs—narrow alleyways that represent the city’s historical charm. Among these hutongs, Hutong One to Fourteen stands out as well-preserved examples of Beijing’s hutong culture.

As the city has undergone development, many residents have gradually moved away from the hutongs, leading to a decline in their population. This shift in demographics is noticeable.

To develop a meaningful design, I aim to capture the impressions of four elderly Beijingers who hold cherished memories of hutong living. Four key concepts—focus, shadow, track, and distance—guide my design process.

While we cannot fully recreate the past or restore the original essence of the hutongs, my goal is to use design as a medium to evoke the cherished recollections of those who once called these alleyways home. Through thoughtful design elements, I seek to reignite the wonderful memories and create a sense of nostalgia, connecting individuals with their past lives in the hutongs.

Many of the original living Spaces in hutongs have been converted. The hutongs in my memory are clean, without tra c or tourists. People like to put their furniture outside, and they like to sit in the doorway and talk to their neighbors.

Focus

Listening to pigeon whistles is an amazing experience. As soon as the pigeon ies, people can know where the pigeon is. The most interesting thing is that the distance a pigeon ies close and far can be judged by its sound.

Rickshaws used to be the main element in the hutong alley. Hutong alley is cascaded and complicated, and rich people used to choose rickshaws as transportation if they wanted to visit and handle a airs.

There are lots of Beijingers sitting under the big trees in the hutong to enjoy the cool. They sit together to chat and play chess. The shadows of the trees seemed to fall from the sky, covering the people below.

Pigeonry

Combine the concepts of distance and focus

There were only public toilets in the hutongs, but people gave up their privacy and enhanced their relationship. People who raised pigeons used to build a loft on the roof. I hope to create a public loft next to the public toilet.

Clothes Hanger

Combine the concepts of shadow and distance

Hutong residents like to hang their clothes in front of their houses. The clothes hanging under the trees are special elements of the hutong.

Bicycle Station

Combine the concepts of track and shadow

People in the north of China are keen on riding bicycles to go out. The popularity of Shared bikes always leads to the phenomenon of bicycles being parked randomly in hutongs.

Teahouse

Combine the concepts of focus and track

Teahouses have a special signi cance in Beijing. Before, people liked to chat and listen to operas in teahouses. I wanted a place that would remind people of life in the teahouse.