Chinese Opera Base in the Hutong

Beijing,China / Renovation

Hutong in Beijing is special residential area where the most important feature is negative space in it. Hutong, literally, is the narrow winding alley left between buildings. It is traffic route, social space, trading center and sometimes extension of private residence. Residents here wander, shop, drink tea, play chess, dine, hang their clothes, and even sleep in Hutong. So, this is where you can see a Beijinger’s daily life.

A. Cao Chang 5th Lane/ B. Ching Yun Hutong/ C. Pigment Guildhall/ D. San-li River/ a. Old-factory Performance Hall/ b. Reserved Guandi Temple/ c. Entrance Pavilion/ d. High-temple Performance Hall/ e. Siheyuan Drama Studio/ f. Reed Field Cafe/ g. Drama Salon/ h. Riverfront Terrace

Siheyuan is a historical type of residence commonly found in Hutong area. A siheyuan is composed with a courtyard and four buildings surrounding it. Originally, a siheyuan was a residence for one family, and every building had different functions. In the mid of last century, clan society declined, and migrants from rural area crowded into Beijing and occupied siheyuans. Four or more families squeezed into living space for one family. To solve the high insufficiency of space, Hutong became the extension of siheyuans. And that made the special Hutong culture in Beijing.

Hutong area is the most precious history and cultural heritage in Beijing, but also the area with highest land value. Lots of old buildings were demolished in Hutong. Dull apartments and wide straight roads occupied. As the old town shrinking, close neighborhood collapsed. It was an alarm, that one day Beijinger would have no chance to enjoy sunshine and hot tea in Hutong.

Lying to the South of Tiananmen Square is one of the last Hutong areas. We were entrusted a 2000m 2 area to design a Chinese opera base in Hutong. In the site, there were an old factory, an old temple and remains of few siheyuans, one of which is former residence of great opera master Mei Lanfang. The new opera base is composed of theatre, rehearsal room, administration, and social space. In the project, we preserved the fluidity and ambiguity of Hutong.

We studied old maps and excavated to find hints of old siheyuans. Then we rebuild the siheyuans on their original locations. We removed enclosing walls and we added some openings on certain walls to increase transmittance. So, resident and visitors can easily wander through the drama base like air. We attached the function of community center on the drama base to solve the lack of large public space in Hutong.

Except the materials collected from demolition and excavation, we took use of glass block and roof tile to build surface with high transparency or porosity. We worked with a design institute specialized in traditional Chinese wood building to study the connection of different materials.

A. San-li River/ B. Cao Chang 5th Lane/ C. Ching Yun Hutong/ D. Pigment Guildhall/ a. Old-factory Performance Hall/ b. Entrance Pavilion/ c. Siheyuan Drama Studio/ d. Reed Field Cafe/ e. Riverfront Terrace/ f. High-temple Performance Hall

The factory was the youngest building in the site. It was also occupied by rural migrant after it stopped producing in last 70'. We kept the old structure and cleaned up the dilapidated partition walls. Equipped with adjustable lighting and acoustic systems, the factory now works as a performance hall for eighty audiences.

High-temple Performance Hall was once part of a temple. After the renovation, it is now a simple theatre for thirty audiences.

Through the opening of Entrance Pavilion, the Guandi Temple, a registered historic building, can be seen from the Hutong.

Contrary to inner walls, outer walls of siheyuan building which facing the Hutong is typically lack of openings for security.