Typical of Beijing, but also found in other cities in China, hutongs are the traditional alleys that used to form the city. Most of Beijing’s hutongs have been destroyed to build large buildings for offices and appartments, but the city tries to keep the ones that are left. Some have already been transformed into hipster paradises, and it’s safe to say that neighborhoods with hutongs have become the best example of what gentrification looks like in China.
At Beijing Design Week 2015, architects, designers, and other creative people were invited to re-think the future of the hutong. A Dutch design studio, MVRDV, took the project very seriously and created a series of images in which hutongs have evolved into something new.
They took on a hutong located next to the famous Tienanmen square. The place is named Xianyukou. Trying to respect the existing architecture, the studio bring sustainability to the place and explores new aesthetics.
About the Author
Mirko Humbert
Mirko Humbert is the editor-in-chief and main author of Designer Daily and Typography Daily. He is also a graphic designer and the founder of WP Expert.