Life

A square of blue sky in city

By Lauren Johnson (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-01-24 10:51

The bedroom area, housing a futon bed, is both spacious and simple. [Photo/provided to China Daily]

Independent architect and interior designer Wong Suiming has dedicated himself to the small hutong renovation projects that many architects won't tackle.

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"You have to really like this kind of work," he said, when explaining his love of hutong esthetics.

He isn't interested in massive structures or concert halls but rather the small spaces that people connect to on a daily basis.

Wong renovated his hutong home four years ago after pouring in time and energy. Upon entering his courtyard home from the alleyway, visitors immediately notice Chinese yin and yang at work.

The entryway floor is composed of river rock with a bamboo plant placed Zen-like against a white brick wall, close to a fish bowl. The metal door to the home is to the left, where a large wooden framed window adds another element to the small garden. Wood, metal, earth, water and fire - from low lighting around the pebbles - give a sensation of peace.

The metal door pushes into an open-concept living/dining and kitchen area, where the five elements continue. The ceilings are high, with whitewashed walls and brick interspersed with raw wood beams in the traditional fashion. A large mirror hangs on the wall, making the space feel open.

Top: Architect Wong Suiming. Middle: The small office looks onto the garden. Bottom: Wong stands in his courtyard.

The loft bedroom is shielded behind blue fabric but the wooden beams supporting it add a cozy feel to the main level. Wooden-framed windows let in natural light and lamps provide the remaining glow.

Wong has had a lifelong passion for esthetics. He followed his passion toward architecture, where he is able to blend a love of design with a hutong lifestyle. One example of this can be seen in his use of natural lighting.

"In Hong Kong, I lived on the 23rd floor," he said. "From my window I could see 10 other high-rises; 10,000 windows looking at me. I have to get away from it."

Living in Beijing, Wong has achieved just that.

"Nobody can see me and I can look at the sky quietly."

Wong added a modern kitchen with metal and plastic doors in a unique salmon hue. The amenities shine brightly and contrast perfectly with the tiled slate flooring.

A small office is divided by large wooden-framed glass windows, giving privacy when needed. The office has a view of the courtyard garden and natural light. And though a computer sits in the corner, Wong's art supplies look worn and used.

A hallway jets off the living room and is divided by dangling beads. Wong explained that the large walk-in closet was created for his wife. Beautiful wooden shelves hold neatly organized clothing and shoes. A stairway adjacent to the closet provides additional storage in the form of pull-out drawers, which are embedded into each stair.

The bathroom is a modern beauty, with blue tiled floors and walls and a window that Wong said allows natural light in without allowing people to see inside. A bamboo tree in the garden offers a nice balance of color with the blue tiles within.

The bedroom is a loft positioned above the closet and bathroom that is large enough for a futon bed. Rustic wooden beams and charming hardwood floor provide a picturesque feel. Together, the open loft bedroom and modern Zen kitchen give the feel of a distinctly unique Chinese design.

For the past 11 years, Wong, a Hong Kong native, has been enjoying his life in Beijing.

"Ten years ago Beijingers did not like the hutong lifestyle and dreamed of living in high-rises. The hutong were dirty, cramped and uncomfortable."

All this has changed though and now his hutong property is a piece of hot property.

"This is a valuable area and you can't develop it. It is old and is worth as much as 100,000 yuan per square meter," he said.

Though there is certainly renewed value in an old Beijing, there is also a strong sense of cultural protection.

"The Eastern idea of building is impermanence. Things are made of wood, so they will be gone. Everything has to be rebuilt, even the Forbidden City," he said.

Wong patted the reinforced brick walls he put in place four years ago.

"The old architecture might have already gone but the key is to keep the alleyways and the height restrictions in place," Wong said. "If you keep these two elements, the spirit of the hutong remains."