“old beijing is composed of hutongs, alleys of communal courtyard homes. MAD architects has suggested a type of new urban lifestyle by inserting the modern architectural structure ‘hutong bubble 32’ into a traditional hutong building. ‘hutong bubble 32’ includes a bathroom since residents of hutongs usually have limited space with no indoor bathroom, and includes a staircase to the roof garden. taking the shape of a bubble, it is attached to the wooden column and brick structure of the old building. the bubble latching onto the side of the old hutong building”
(via MAD architects: ‘hutong bubble 32’, beijing)

the bubble latching onto the side of the old hutong building image © fang zhenning
courtesy MAD architects
the bubble’s reflective surface
image © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects
image © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects
the walk-out to the rooftop garden image © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects
image © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects
image © fang zhenning courtesy MAD architects
image © fang zhenning