项目位于北京什刹海的后海南沿，距后海仅几步之遥。后海，是老北京的地界。胡同悠长，留下历史的印记，也积淀生活的厚味。胡同里的人情相互交织与渗透，体现在建筑形态上，便是由传统四合院发展而来的大杂院。

The project is located on the south alongside of the Shichahai Park in Beijing, just a few steps away from Houhai, where was an old harbour of Beijing. Due to a remarkable of history sites and the rich taste of local life in Beijing, the communication and interaction between neighborhoods in Hutong is embodied in the architectural form, which is developed from a large traditional courtyard once filled by multiple families.

项目建筑正是一个大杂院中的一栋平房，占地约102.5平方米，原本是一个出租屋，将被改造为茶素材设计中心供日常办公使用。平顶房作为大杂院的一种改建形态，是人与空间野蛮生长的历史产物，也是城市进一步更新所要直面的现状。空间狭小、阴暗、潮湿，是此类大杂院的通病，原建筑也不例外。这样的建筑难以满足现代生活的舒适性需求，也因此成为城市的弃婴，被置之不顾。

The building was a bungalow in a large compound courtyard that covers an area of 102.5 square meters. Originally a rental house, it would be transformed into a design center of Teawith brand for daily use. As a remodeling form of the compound courtyard, flat-roofed houses are the historical outcomes under the barbaric struggle from the growth between human beings and the space, as well as the problems that needs to be solved with in the further urban regeneration. The space is narrow, dark and humid, that is a common condition in such kinds of buildings including the original one, that is difficult to meet the comfortable needs of the modern lives, and therefore it becomes an abandoned babies ignored by the city.

建筑问题的背后，是人与空间的关系问题。在这个项目中，建筑师以人为本，试图从内和外两个维度重构关系，给出解决方案：对内，以微创手术的方式，对原建筑进行改造，解决现状建筑存在的诸多问题，并适应新的功能使用需求；对外，提倡从自我修复开始，逐步影响杂院内的公共空间，促进社区有序更新，从而改善大杂院的市民生活，丰富城市的状态。

The relationship between man and space beyond the form of the architecture. In this project, the architect payed more attention on people initially and tried to rebuild the relationship towards both inwards and outwards to provide best solutions; firstly, the original building was transformed by means of minimally invasive changes to solve many problems existing and to adapt for the new functional requirements; secondly, it is advocated to start with self-repairing to gradually promote the orderly renovation of the community, so as to improve the citizens' life and enrich the diversity of the city.

经过改造，这栋大杂院内的平顶建筑有了新的定位。它保有相对独立的氛围，单从入口处混凝土块垫高的铺装便明晰界定，步入室内的人随之进入一个自然、安静、舒适的创作环境。但它并未与世割裂，自然物象在空间中流动，外界声色被纳入其中，后海成为办公室的后花园。即使身处位于内院西侧、与主办公区分隔的模型室，也只需一个侧身就可看向内院的景色，或倚靠在朝向后海的窗边，将树木与水面尽收眼底。

After renovation, the new flat-roofed building reminds a relatively independent space with quiet, nature and comfortable experience, which is clearly defined by the concrete blocks height of the entrance. However, it is not separated from the outer world. Natural objects surrounding with the space, and external sounds are incorporated into it. Houhai becomes the back garden of the office. Even if you are in a model room on the west part of the inner courtyard, separated from the main office area, you could have a view of the inner courtyard, or lean against the window towards Houhai to have a panoramic view of the trees and the lake.

建筑的变化，也带来人的重新连接。大杂院作为一个城市发展的历史见证，已成为北京胡同生活的重要肌理，亦是胡同文化不可或缺的组成部分。隐匿在大杂院内的办公室，让来自五湖四海的年轻人与久居此地的北京老炮儿，在胡同里共处起来，得以切身感受地道北京生活的鲜活脉动。而人际的变化，也反过来带动环境的改善。人和空间良性互动，于是城市有了生命力。

The change took place in building also brings about the reconnection among people. As a historical witness of urban developments, the courtyard has become an important texture of Hutong life and an unseparated part of Hutong culture. Hidden in the courtyard, the office let young people from all over the world together with the long-term Beijing residents in Hutong experience the fresh pulse of the life in Beijing. And the positive interaction between people and space in turn stimulates energies of the city.