This project was a complete interior fit out and extension for a townhouse in north Beijing for an architect couple with two children.

"Connection" is introduced as the concept, and guiding operation to transform this match box like developer-built house. A double-height Solaris / atrium is inserted in between the two main existing volumes which immediately connects different rooms by allowing large openings onto this central space. Two skylights geometrically aligned with morning and afternoon light are added to the atrium to bring in light from above; and suspended large glass wall allows a completely open connection from the living space to the garden outside. The atrium connects the different spaces within the house both horizontally and vertically, spatially and visually.

Five gardens of various sizes and themes are located at different levels and locations of the house, a sunken play garden, a roof-top vegetable garden, a linear ground bamboo garden, and a flower welcoming garden up front.

Built-in furniture and floors are made of rapidly renewable materials such as bamboo, cork and strawboard throughout the house, while the energy use is minimized with combination of ground source heat pump and radiant floor, with the help of abundance of natural light and improved natural ventilation.