XiJingYu village is a picturesque compact village in JinNan, one-hour drive East from Beijing centre. Local residents have responded to the growing number of visitors by demolishing the old stone-built houses and erecting new concrete flat roofed buildings covered with white shiny tiles. They are unintentionally destroying the very essence of that makes XiJingYu special and interesting. Progress is inevitable and welcomed, but the original image and atmosphere of the village should not be lost in the process. Arkab was asked to create a guidebook for future construction and renovation of the existing buildings.

Our book explains the problems of the current development in layman terms and gives simple solutions and guidelines anyone can follow. The whole 3km2 village was analysed house by house. The yards were divided into types according to their dimensions and the location of the main gate. Exterior materials were documented, and a renovation plan was made for each building. The renewal methods were illustrated in realistic 3D sections with materials and instructions included. The future locations for additional buildings and their dimensions were defined.

The guidebook also introduced favourable construction methods and styles through two example buildings; a family house and a small hotel. The buildings follow the existing village fabric, but are up to modern living standards. Floor plans and explicatory illustrations with construction materials, such as insulation and waterproofing, were included in the book.

The guidebook was well received by the villagers. Several buildings have since been renewed according to the book and its impact can be clearly perceived around the village. The village council is negotiating a reimbursement policy where the local residents would be financially helped in case they want to change their concrete flat roofs to pitched ones or the exterior tiling for natural stone.