Building up a better community

As the number of cars increased, the once open space was packed, and the situation got worse when people parked bicycles and electric motorcycles in a haphazard manner.

To improve the situation, the group of architects replanned the distribution of functional spaces.

They built a two-story high platform to take greater advantage of natural sunlight so that people could choose to stay outside longer. They also set up clothes lines for people without a balcony at home to hang up and dry large sheets.

A ramp enables wheelchair users to get onto the platform so they may linger and enjoy the sunlight. Elderly people can have a stroll on the platform where up and down slopes and steps of different heights are deliberately placed to enrich the experience.

Taking advantage of the height differences, there are abundant benches for resting. These are made of wood-like materials so they will not be too cold to sit on in winter.

The platform is also where children can safely enjoy themselves, and there is a slide attached to it.

Part of the downstairs space has been turned into a lounge with seats and a dinner table, and as it gets cold in winter, wind shields have been put in place. The other part remains a shed for bicycles and electric motorcycles, fully equipped with charging facilities.

In front of each residential unit they installed handrails of two different heights, suitable for adults, children and wheelchair users, and a slight incline instead of steps to keep the entrances safe from vehicles while providing assistance.

Along the way from the gate of the neighborhood to the platform are some simple physical exercise facilities. Household garbage and construction waste is collected in designated places.

In an interview with Beijing TV in December 2019 when potential participants of the regeneration project visited the neighborhoods, Li Zhen, lecturer at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, said the residents were quite curious whether or not the trees and some other old stuff in the yard would be removed, or how the designers could keep them and let them play a bigger role.

It turns out the trees were preserved.