“Yuan'er” (Courtyard), is the most essential element in the composition of the old town of Beijing. For a long time, “Yuan’er”contains all the possibilities of working, entertainment, leisure and dwelling for the local people. The space inside is usually very small, and living in it can be hard yet colorful. It is part of Beijing's realistic life, and is a miniature of China's old cities.
Inside garden
A ring of gallery space runs along the boundary of the site, creating a central atrium for the public. Two passages in the east and the west punch through the gallery, connecting the atrium with the two Hutongs on both sides. The atrium and the two Hutongs become the beating heart of this area. Public life is held as priority in this project, while the gallery is merely a humble existence.
The gallery provides an endless linear exhibition space, with an enlarged node for events. The narrowest part of the gallery is of 0.9m clearance, which hold about 1/5 of the total area. Big space is standard nowadays for contemporary exhibitions for obvious reasons. It is true that space that is too narrow is not friendly for exhibitions. But it can also be a chance to create intimate and confronting relationship between participants and the exhibits. Moreover, the atrium can be an extension of the exhibition space.