In the heart of the bustling city, there lies a serene courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, a table is set with a few chairs, offering a place where the family gathers to share meals, sip tea, and immerse themselves in the written word.

Each year, as the tree unfurls its blossoms, I arrange a modest spread of food and drinks beneath its shade, sip tea, and lose myself in the pages of books.

In those moments, with the gentle breeze swaying the petals, I become one with the rhythm of time—be it in the soft glow of twilight or under the quiet gaze of the moon. It is a rare joy that imbues this life with meaning.

——Feng Tang

The home serves a positive, dual role, both as a caregiver and as a devotee. It carefully considers every need and detail, yet it does so quietly, without revealing its thoughts, a subtle act that evokes deep emotion. The home also serves as a vessel for memory, preserving the stories of past generations while embodying the ongoing flow and intergenerational transmission of love.

In the past, the owner's father grew up in this space, and now, the son has inherited not only his father's legacy but also the love that was cultivated here, assuming the role of the head of the family. Looking to the future, he hopes to share the same nurturing environment with his own son as he grows. The overarching theme of this home improvement project is the continuation of love and companionship that transcend the bounds of time.

Integration of House and Courtyard

The original garden's main structure has been dismantled to create a spacious courtyard measuring 8 x 14 meters.

This project introduces three distinct thematic spaces, thoughtfully designed using classical Chinese courtyard integration principles to foster a seamless connection between the interior and the outdoor areas, transforming the courtyard into an extension of the living space. Waterside Courtyard (in the east): A broad water feature serves as a unifying element, linking the gym, study, tea room, and dining area, creating a fluid connection between these spaces. Bamboo Courtyard (in the south): A 4-meter-high sloped embankment, planted with sculpted bamboo, is shared by the living room, study & tea room, gym, and housekeeping areas. Pine Courtyard (in the west): High walls and strategically placed low windows ensure privacy in the living room. Vegetable Courtyard (in the north): A boundary wall is built adjacent to the road, with a fruit shed positioned outside the kitchen, enhancing the sensory delight of the palate.

The highest form of kindness flows like water, nourishing all it touches without seeking to compete. 

The truly exceptional possess the rare gift of choosing the right place to dwell, cultivating within themselves a calm, unfathomable mind. They approach others with sincerity, friendship, and selflessness, and are steadfast in honoring their word. Like water, the very essence of life itself, they embody a quiet wisdom—one that teaches the philosophy of how to navigate the world. We all aspire to be like water, with a mind as vast as the ocean, a heart as serene as the deep sea, and a character that nourishes the world around us.

Integrity and resilience, embodied in bamboo

As Su Shi once remarked, "I would rather eat without meat than live without bamboo." Bamboo stands as a symbol of perseverance, its unwavering spirit rising through the mountains and rivers, carrying with it an air of purity that sweeps away the world's dust. To regard bamboo as a friend is to learn its quiet strength, its humble elegance, and its noble integrity.

In the yard, the bamboo sways gently in the breeze, casting a dance of light and shadow. Its resilience and unwavering growth reflect the owner's quiet love—a love that, like bamboo, endures and nourishes in the most subtle and profound ways. The affection he never voiced remains tucked away in the folds of time, a quiet legacy.

My father, a man of steadfast integrity, has long been my guiding light, and in the bamboo, I find a kindred spirit—our souls, it seems, resonate in perfect harmony at this moment.

Vitality and Comfort

Home, in its essence, is an energy field where mutual nourishment thrives. Love flows like a current, sparking an exchange of energy, a resonance that shapes our lives. It is a dance of contrasts: half soft and gentle, the other half lively and swift.

The pine and the crane—embodiments of the spirit's resonance

The pine, revered as the "king of all trees," stands with a regal posture, tall and unyielding.

The crane, a symbol of sage-like wisdom, carries the noble temperament of the heavens. In the Pine Courtyard, the spirit of the pine and the character of the crane coexist, a harmonious fusion of grace and fortitude.

Each morning and evening, I am drawn to the courtyard, where pine needles rustle softly and light and shadow dance in harmony. As I gaze up, the majestic panorama of mountains and waters unfolds, where sky and earth merge into infinity. This sweeping vista balances the gentle flow of water with the unshakable strength of the mountains. Much like the master and mistress of the house, who embody both unwavering resolve and a soft, graceful presence, the landscape mirrors their essence.

The trunk of the pine reflects fatherly love—calm, steady, and resolute. Love may never be spoken aloud, yet it is a commitment of a lifetime. The pine branches, in their gentle sway, echo motherly love—tolerant, nurturing, and kind. As spring fades and autumn arrives, the pine continues to embrace the heavens and earth, its evergreen presence standing proudly against the cold. In the passage of time, it is not the years that age, but the moments—beautiful, eternal, and ever-fresh in their remembrance.

Water flows with playful grace, bamboo rises with strength and resilience, and the pine stands tall with unwavering perseverance. Together, they embody fortitude, honesty, kindness, and positivity. These virtues, like a nurturing embrace, shape the heart and soul, subtly guiding emotions and conveying the essence of the unique and kind Oriental aesthetic. In this way, this space becomes a sanctuary for the heart, where peace and beauty mirror the very essence of what home should be.

Home is a gentle current of energy and goodwill. It does not seek to flaunt its brilliance but weaves itself subtly into the fabric of everyday life. With grace, it softens its edges and embraces an altruistic spirit that resolves mundane disputes.

In spring, the trees outside the window awaken, their buds unfurling to paint a scene of vibrant life. By midsummer, the branches and leaves are lush and full, white clouds drifting lazily across the sky, as if you've stepped into a summer envisioned by Hayao Miyazaki himself.

In autumn, the wood deepens in color, rich with fragrance and warmth, filling the air with a quiet romance that wraps around you like a comforting embrace as you rest in bed. Winter brings a tranquil stillness, where the world outside slows to a hush, and you can bask in the warmth of the sun, savoring the peaceful joy of reading a book.

Home is a living record of love. The shifting light and shadow mark the warmth of companionship, while the changing colors of the trees tell the tale of how companionship stretches onward over time. The love and hopes of my parents are woven into the very walls of the house, accompanying me through the years. The words they may have been too shy to speak are carried to me instead by the lively flow of water, the swaying bamboo, and the reaching pine branches, each one speaking the unspoken with quiet grace.