The yard is a childhood memory, which is real and warm. I remembered I came to Beijing for searching a job ten years ago. In Beijing, the courtyard house (Siheyuan) in hutong can especially impress me. A greeting between the neighbors, ‘have you eaten?’, which makes you feel kind and warm, and the smell from food in the air will makes you familiar. Yes, this is the memory of childhood, a simple communication between people.

Houhai hotel is located at NO.10 Liuyin Street, about 200 metres away from Houhai. It is said that this was originally a three-entry courtyard, and it was divided into three different landlords for unknown reasons. We just rented one of them, the whole area is around 280 square meters. It still maintains a good layout of the courtyard—introverted space and the staggered eaves, which lets you immediately feel the charm of Beijing traditional culture. For the understanding of the siheyuan, we cannot just focus on its form, particularly us as architects and interior designers. It is the crystallization of national wisdom, and also the yanhuang philosophy of being human. Since ancient times, we have been a defensive nation. From the beginning of the Qin Dynasty, we started to build the Great wall in order to prevent the invasion of foreigners and protect our homes. Until now, we still keep this traditional habit. Encirclement, introversion, modesty and prudence are our find traditions.

This is Yuangu‘s first hotel and the sample which is carried too many expectations. At the same time, in order to create future hotel and polish our supply chain system, we are constantly looking for Yuangu’s design spirit.