The Next Hutong by MVRDV presents an in-depth research into the question of how to regenerate the remaining hutong areas of Beijing without relinquishing their specific character, creating a sustainable economy within the existing urban structure.A careful redevelopment strategy of incremental densification can enable the hutongs to evolve and adapt to current and future needs. The research was presented at the Nurturing House Living Lab exhibition as part of Beijing Design Week 2015, in the form of a large format A1 hardcover book, and an animated film. Director of MVRDV Shanghai Marta Pozo and MVRDV Project Manager Wenchian Shi presented the work to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. More info on the project here: http://mvrdv.com/projects/the-next-hutong

Upon invitation of H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands paid a state visit to China from 25 – 29 October 2015. This visit followed upon President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan’s state visit to the Netherlands in March 2014. The programme included a tour of the Dashilar district of Beijing, a traditional hutong district that has implemented a special regeneration scheme over the past few years. Dashilar is also one of the core areas of the annual Beijing Design Week (23 Sept – 7 Oct) and has been host to The Nurturing House. The tour was delivered by Mr. Wang Zhizhong, district mayor of the Dashilar area. The Nurturing House by Next City Living Lab made its grand entrance at Beijing Design Week 2015 featuring designs from over twenty leading Dutch and Chinese creative innovators, a beautiful organic café, conferences, screenings, and workshops, for local residents and design professionals.  At The Nurturing House His Majesty King Willem-Alexander was welcomed by Vittorio Sun, Deputy Director of Beijing Design Week and Christine de Baan of ROAM foundation, curator of the exhibition. In The Nurturing House he visited The Next Hutong and China’s Turn exhibits, and The Nurturing Café, where he met with architects, designers and companies from China and The Netherlands working in the field of sustainable urbanism.