Study On Restoration And Adaptation Design Of The Military Camp Of The Former British Embassy In Dongjiaominxiang, Beijing

The Military Camp building of the former British Embassy is an important part of theDong-Jiao-Min-Xiang (DJMX) modern historical district. The DJMX modern historical district isone of the State-level key units of cultural preservation monuments and relics. It was formed in theearly twentieth century, and the architectural style of the buildings in the district deeply reflected thepopular style of European eclecticism in the late nineteenth century. The Military Camp buildingwas also built in such style and is now owned by the Ministry of Public Security of the People’sRepublic of China (MPS).The project was commissioned by the MPS, which includes the restoration and adaptationdesign for the Military Camp building. After over100years’ damage from natural processes andhuman actions, the building needs treatment for its structure, Infrastructure, interior decoration andmany other aspects. At the same time the adaptation design for the Military Camp buildingproposes to make it better meet the current needs for compatible use.The original project yet planed to move the Military Camp building to some other site withinthe yard surrounded by the MPS office buildings, which is cancelled afterwards, demonstrating theconstraint effect of related laws and regulations, as well as causing a re-consideration for thisdesign.Through case studies, the author come to an understanding to the relationship between theory/principles and practice/means; also to realize that the continuity in daily life function often betterpreserves the values contained in a certain modern historical building.This design study mainly focuses on technical measures, attempting to truly apply theprinciples such as “minimal intervention” to practice.The final chapter indicates the author’s concern on the entire life cycle of the modern historicalbuilding.