Preserving and Honoring Beijing’s Hutongs

Mrs. Fan’s renovated home is a modern accomplishment in her traditional neighborhood.

Based on the current price of real estate in Beijing, the plugin house is not only significantly cheaper than most housing options in the capital, but also more convenient as it is not bound by housing regulations; only those from surrounding neighbors. PAO states that for original residents like Mrs. Fan, to move back to these historic parts of Beijing is rare. Through improving living standards for an affordable price within given social constraints, the Plugin House attempts to breathe new life into old neighborhoods.

“We have many plugins that are paid for entirely by locals who have very little income, living in extremely poor conditions. For our design to be affordable and attractive enough for them to invest in is an important achievement for us. The project has received considerable international recognition, but for us to be able to design and build housing directly for average to low-income residents across the country in a wide range of contexts is what we’re most proud of,” Shen stated.