Continuing its exploration into residential architecture and urban living, BMW's Mini Living concept has just launched its fourth edition; an urban cabin in Beijing, designed by local architect Dayong Sun in cooperation with the Mini Living Design Team.
The project, presented at the architecture exhibition ‘China House Vision' which opens today and runs until the 4th November, takes its cues from traditional living typologies from the Asian country, and especially the Chinese capital's hutongs – clusters of compact, historical dwellings in Beijing city centre. The aim is to produce ‘innovative ideas for maximum quality of living within a minimum space', explains Mini Living.
Spanning a mere 15 sq m, the contemporary cabin features abstract geometric forms in brilliant white, and flexible interiors. The idea is to create possibilities, add value and increase quality of life; all while keeping in touch with the region's local identity and particular character.
The project's abstract roof formation underlines its contemporary character. Photography: BMW Mini
Paying homage to Chinese hutongs, Dayong Sun created an open area at the heart of the structure, referencing the traditional housing typology's inner courtyards. Storage and seating are embedded into the design in the periphery of the cabin, cleverly built into its body. The compact dwelling features provisions for a living space, a bedroom section, kitchen and bathroom, all bespoke designed to fit into the small structure's unique shape.
Mini Living, which started in 2016 and has already seen temporary incarnations pop up in London, New York, Milan and Los Angeles, will culminate in a brand new and permanent co-living project in Shanghai, scheduled to complete in 2019.
The structure was designed by Chinese architect Dayong Sun with the Mini Living Design Team.
This Urban Cabin is inspired by Beijing's traditional hutongs.
The interior is a mere 15 sq m yet features everything a modern compact apartment should.
An open space at the structure's heart references the hutongs' courtyards.
Around this space the team created living spaces, kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom.
Mini Living's aim is to create maximum flexibility and quality with minimum space.
INFORMATION
For more information visit the website of Dayong Sun
-
The upcoming Zaha Hadid Architects projects set to transform the horizonA peek at Zaha Hadid Architects’ future projects, which will comprise some of the most innovative and intriguing structures in the world
-
Liu Jiakun wins 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize: explore the Chinese architect's workLiu Jiakun, 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate, is celebrated for his 'deep coherence', quality and transcendent architecture
-
Zaha Hadid Architects reveals plans for a futuristic project in Shaoxing, ChinaThe cultural and arts centre looks breathtakingly modern, but takes cues from the ancient history of Shaoxing
-
The Hengqin Culture and Art Complex is China’s newest cultural megastructureAtelier Apeiron’s Hengqin Culture and Art Complex strides across its waterside site on vast arches, bringing a host of facilities and public spaces to one of China’s most rapidly urbanising areas
-
The World Monuments Fund has announced its 2025 Watch – here are some of the endangered sites on the listEvery two years, the World Monuments Fund creates a list of 25 monuments of global significance deemed most in need of restoration. From a modernist icon in Angola to the cultural wreckage of Gaza, these are the heritage sites highlighted
-
Tour Xi'an's remarkable new 'human-centred' shopping district with designer Thomas HeatherwickXi'an district by Heatherwick Studio, a 115,000 sq m retail development in the Chinese city, opens this winter. Thomas Heatherwick talks us through its making and ambition
-
Raw, refined and dynamic: A-Cold-Wall*’s new Shanghai store is a fresh take on the industrial lookA-Cold-Wall* has a new flagship store in Shanghai, designed by architecture practice Hesselbrand to highlight positive spatial and material tensions
-
Sun Tower is a new Chinese cultural attraction that draws on the celestial cycleSun Tower, an imaginative cultural attraction by Open Architecture, draws on the natural cycle and has just opened in China's seaside town of Yantai
