Reviving Tradition: The Courtyard Drum Tower

RSAA - Büro Ziyu Zhuang Transforms a Traditional Beijing Courtyard into a Timeless Workshop

The Courtyard Drum Tower, located next to the ancient Drum and Bell Towers, was a project that aimed to create a timeless workshop while embracing the surrounding cultural context. The renovation was organized into four steps; refurbishing the old section using traditional methods, inserting a timeless box as a function generator, reforming the interface of the new yard space, and organizing the new space sequences under the link of the new interfaces.

After cleaning up some old unnecessary interfaces and exposing original traditional structures, Ziyu Zhuang and the team built a free-standing T-shaped volume made with glass. This combined the original northern room, western room, and eastern room to form a more efficient working environment. The result was a multi-layered space with its own narrative sequence, filled with interesting spaces along the new path.

One of the unique features of the renovation is the transformation of the traditional Chinese roof into an activity space. Previously, Chinese roofs were symbolic, emphasizing the importance of the building. However, the renovation has made the roof a place for displaying models and hosting activities, especially during spring and autumn. This innovative use of space is a testament to the creative vision of RSAA/ Büro Ziyu Zhuang.

Despite being a renovation in an old and traditional area, new technologies were introduced into the project. Photosensitive sunshade devices were installed to ensure that the sunlight isn't glaring and does not affect work efficiency. The total construction cost was efficiently controlled to be within 200,000RMB (30,000 USD) including the MEP and furniture cost, demonstrating the team's commitment to creating high-quality spaces at a low cost.

The Courtyard Drum Tower project is a symbol of the link between traditional Chinese lifestyle and modern space visions. It is a testament to the innovative vision of RSAA/ Büro Ziyu Zhuang, who have managed to create a space that is both respectful of tradition and forward-looking. The project was awarded Silver in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2019, a testament to its outstanding design and innovation.