An indicative restoration project of a «panel» high-rise building: Chinese architects transformed an ordinary house with the help of overhead panels on the facades, reorganizing the roof and creating open public spaces.

Ksenia Oshchepkova

Chen Hao

Photo: Chen Hao

Architects from the studio Neri&Hu restored a seven-storey building in the center of Shenzhen, turning it into a modern guesthouse with 11 apartments. The building is located in Nantou City, a lively area with lots of houses and noisy streets. To protect the residents of the guesthouse from the hustle, dust and noise, the architects decided to give the complex the features of an urban village, where neighbors know each other and live in peace and harmony.

Photo: Chen Hao

Neri and Hu made two significant changes to the architecture of the building. In order to “protect” it a little from the urban environment and highlight it against the background of standard houses with rows of windows, they wrapped the building with ”ribbons» of corrugated perforated metal. The facade received a new, more dynamic look, and the enlarged window openings got openwork protective screens.

Photo: Chen Hao

Photo: Chen Hao

The silhouette of the house was also updated: on its roof, the architects placed a view terrace, a garden and two small pavilions, the outlines of which changed the city skyline. The pavilions themselves serve as additional public spaces and utility blocks, and the roof is open to the residents of the guesthouse, as is the restaurant with panoramic windows located on the floor below.

Photo: Chen Hao

The authors also designed a new entrance to the building, which makes the architecture of the house more open and accessible. Getting inside, visitors see a flight of stairs going up, which the architects left open. They contrasted the partially ruined concrete structures with an elegant and laconic staircase made of black metal. The loft atmosphere reigns in the interiors of the apartments: brutal concrete elements side by side with metal partitions, built-in plywood furniture and minimalist furniture in deep colors.

Photo: Chen Hao

Photo: Chen Hao

Photo: Chen Hao

Photo: Chen Hao

Photo: Chen Hao

Photo: Chen Hao

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