Hutong Bubble 218

Hutong Bubble 218 is the second small-scale intervention in Beijing’s historic neighborhoods. Located in Qianmen East, near the Forbidden City, the project restores and transforms a Qing Dynasty courtyard house as part of the Old City Renewal Research Program.

The site once housed Beijing’s first international hospital and later served as communal housing. Years of unregulated modifications led to severe structural decline and vacancy. We preserved the courtyard’s historic gray brick structure and restored original wooden elements while introducing futuristic sculptural additions called “bubbles.”

The mirrored bubbles, one connecting floors as a staircase and shared workspace, and another perched on the rooftop, contrast the old architecture while blending into the surroundings by reflecting sky, trees, and buildings. These surreal additions serve new functions while maintaining harmony with the courtyard’s original character.

“Hutong Bubble 218” continues MAD’s vision from Beijing 2050 a proposal to inject life into aging urban fabric through micro-scale architectural interventions. Rather than erase history, the design encourages coexistence between old and new, revitalizing neglected areas with fresh energy and community potential.