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Skip House: Where Tradition Meets Innovation in the Heart of Beijing

ByMyProperty Life

In the west district of Beijing, a duplex apartment, dubbed the Skip House, has been designed by KiKi ARCHi. Nestled within the vibrant city, the apartment is home to an owner and her family of four, along with the grandparents who visit on occasion. The Skip House is designed so that the different generations can come together, allow their diverse lifestyles to merge, and where emotions can blend harmoniously.

elongated living room with white walls and minimalist furnishings with a unique staircase at the far wall leading to mezzanine level

The magic of the 300-square-meter Skip House lies in its “half-floor living room,” a design that seamlessly connects the different spaces, fostering a sense of togetherness while maintaining privacy. An eye-catching cement and wood staircase not only connects the two floors but also offers multi-functional open platforms – a small wooden one doubles as a desk for the kids and a more spacious micro-cement platform below that can be used for seating while also transitioning into a console for the TV. It’s a multi-layered living scene where every family member’s needs find a perfect spot.

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elongated living room with white walls and minimalist furnishings with a unique staircase at the far wall leading to mezzanine level

partial living room view with two gray steps leading to wood steps

angled living room view showing unique sculptural floating staircase leading to mezzanine level

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lower level underneath mezzanine with dining table and chairs looking out underneath staircase into large living room

angled interior view of dining table and gray built-in block housing utilities and the kitchen

But the innovation doesn’t stop there. Downstairs, a well-organized “box” concept delineates the living areas, with the kitchen island as the central hub. The thoughtful design enhances functionality while retaining an open, airy atmosphere.

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interior view of modern kitchen

mezzanine view looking down to modern living room

Up the wooden stairs, a serene, modern tearoom awaits. Beyond its use as a tearoom, a round cutout serves as a display shelf while doubling as a secret passage to the elders’ private room.

mezzanine level with wood dining table and chairs

side view of mezzanine with glass banister and wood table and chairs and woman in bright yellow shirt

The color palette throughout gives nod to the owner’s appreciation of Chinese culture, with black, white, and gray complemented by wood and micro-cement.

interior shot of partial dining table and chair with gray wall behind featuring a circular cutout with light wood door and shelving

long interior view of modern home office looking to bedroom in the distance

long interior view of modern home office looking to bedroom in the distance behind wood slatted partition

partial modern bedroom looking into bathroom with white tub at an angle

partial modern bedroom looking into bathroom with white tub at an angle

Photography by Koji Fujii.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

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