Completed Anna Garden Residences with red bricks in Beijing
The architecture office KiKi ARCHi has completed red brick apartment buildings in Beijing, China.
Design Features
Named Anna Garden, the complex is located in Changping District – 30 km north of Beijing,
whose scenery is quite different from that of a cosmopolitan city.
KiKi ARCHi has completed the renovation project within 15 months there,
to make it a happy childhood time place in the country, it is not looking for a concrete object of memory, but for the memory itself.
The mountain hugs the lake to face the noise
The dense mountain and mirror-like lake provide a natural barrier to the noise that attracts owners so much.
The original site of 1,300 square meters has a large courtyard and a European-style house of 200 square meters.
This sense of contradiction inspired the team to rethink, and after analyzing and discussing the site,
KiKi ARCHi first decided to re-establish the relationship between the house and the landform.
Which includes multiple dimensions such as the relationship between ‘terrain and construction’,
‘architectural appearance and surroundings’, and ‘function and living experience’.
Design shape
Thus, the site’s 8-meter height difference was fully utilized, and the garden on the lower level was connected to the house on the upper level.
Through graceful landscape design, creating a rich visual hierarchy and setting the tone for freedom and nature” for the entire project.
On the basis of retaining the original architectural structure,
while the European façade decoration was completely stripped and replaced with simple geometric blocks and rustic northern red brick.
Without edging, tiles and window sills, the house returns to its original form, as if it was a devoted child,
showing the appearance of simplicity and honesty.
At the eastern main entrance, the original front porch is hidden behind a hollow brick wall,
which skillfully integrates the concept of a screen wall and stone masonry technique to increase privacy and achieve the function of a semi-outdoor spa.
Simplified design language
The first floor is for living, while the second floor is for private comfort.
With the simplified design language, the irregular interplay of function,
structure and materials makes the interior space more interesting, and wood, glass,
concrete and other materials represent the mountainous environment.
The red brick elements echo the building. In order to create a comfortable living atmosphere,
KiKi ARCHi used a large area of folding glass doors to enclose the balconies on the ground floor.
This brings in plenty of sunlight, removes the boundaries between indoors and outdoors,
and allows users to enjoy nature.
At the same time, the landscape elements of the curved staircase in the garden continue into the interior space.
When the folding glass doors are fully opened, the space between the dining room,
living room, cafe and outdoor spaces disappears, and people can gain greater movement and peace in the space.
Green shade installation
The garden is full of atmosphere, the flower rack in the entrance rests on a zigzag frame,
echoing the shape of the building’s roof.
The vine becomes its skin, just like a “green shadow installation” through a flower rack, an ancient persimmon tree stands in front of the door,
which apparently shows an interesting life after going through some sort of order.
On the north side of the house, there are a series of terraces curving downwards providing several playgrounds.
The small viewing room and the brick pavilion on the lower level, like “two floating islands”, are good places to chat.
In addition, a stone path outside connects the front and back yards, representing an oriental romance.
There is openness and privacy in the landscape design,
KiKi ARCHi wanted to use the terrain and vegetation to soften the edges of the building and add a natural, natural feel.
Therefore, the experienced plant design team, WILD – SCAPE,
was invited to work together and focus on the perspective of environmental analysis,
soil improvement, vegetative season, maintenance cost, and other multidimensional aspects.
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