Feeling at home in one of Beijing’s ancient hutongs

Experiencing tradition through modern eyes: a total, immersive experience was created by LDH Architects’ design for the La Maison Xun restaurant, in the center of Beijing

It is like a sweet, nostalgic dip into the past, especially for those from Beijing. Coming into the luxurious La Maison Xun restaurant, in Beijing’s center, is like being taken by the hand and led through the past, pulled gently through memories of the old hutongs, which have now almost completely disappeared to make room for new buildings. The LDH Architects team, led by the founder Liu Daohua, deserves credit for achieving this through a well-balanced use of contemporary style, succeeding in recreating the intimate, refined atmosphere of hutongs, the traditional Chinese courtyard houses, by restoring one of the few left. “I hope people will think about their childhood and feel like they’ve come home,” says Daohua. “There is a great old tree in the courtyard.

Owner & Developer: La Maison Xun Main Contractor: Individuals Architecture, Interior design, Landscape design: LDH Architects Lighting design & Lighting: Beijing Guangshe Lighting Design Furnishings: Maxmark and Chendarui Kitchens: Customized Bathrooms: Hansgrohe Walls: customized, made by Guan Shao Curtains & Fabrics: Customized

Author: Manuela Di Mari Photo credits: Wang Ting from Dalian AsYouSee

I’m sure that its flowering in spring, the shade of leaves in summer, and its fallen leaves in autumn will bring fond memories.” Chinese history and culture have been deftly preserved while respecting the past and using the tools of the present. The architects have given expression to two “voices” that are in opposition but inextricably linked. They deliberately avoided any layering, removing excess, uninteresting decoration while restoring the architectural structure and its historical vestiges. Its creative process works by subtraction rather than addition, restoring a sort of warm naturalness and a genuine conduit of emotions. The overall design uses red and black, which are symbolic local colors, and includes modern design and contemporary works of art, such as ‘Pupu Bear’ by the artist Zhang Zhanzhan, peeking in from the courtyard and the main doorway just like a pet would. Each room, with its large floor-to-ceiling windows, gathers close around the beautiful courtyard, a true rarity in Beijing, forming a quadrilateral. Here, just under the tree, an outdoor area is organized with a series of elegant sofas and a fireplace-table in fine contemporary style. From here, we breathe the air of history while looking to the future.