Open countryside stretching out in front of the site

This project is located in Yuwan Village, Ningshan County, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province, China, and was planned to integrate harmoniously with the existing village fabric.

The site is blessed with abundant natural resources and a beautiful environment, where pristine nature has been well preserved. It is also a habitat of the crested ibis. The project site lies on a mountainside characterized by terraced fields, encircled by retaining walls made of stacked river stones, and opens toward an expansive agricultural landscape at the front — a setting of striking natural presence.

The rich natural environment of the crested ibis habitat in Yuwan Village

The surrounding existing residences and stone masonry retaining walls

Overall site plan ©kooo architects

Overall aerial view

In this project, we placed strong emphasis on integrating the guesthouse into the existing village context while minimizing its impact on the local ecosystem. The design seeks to merge seamlessly with the surrounding environment, reducing the environmental footprint of new construction through a phased development approach.

As a central design principle, we aimed to use locally sourced materials wherever possible and incorporate traditional construction techniques into the building process. Through these efforts, the architecture aspires to harmonize with the site’s inherent landscape and reflect the unique character of the region.

Concept sketch on site ©kooo architects

Key Design Principles

1. Reducing the overall building volume to alleviate the excessive sense of enclosure proposed in the previous scheme
2. Adopting a gabled roof form to harmonize with local architecture and the surrounding environment
3. Selecting regional materials such as white plaster walls, gray roof tiles, and partially exposed stone
4. Ensuring consistency with the scale and massing of the existing neighboring buildings

For the L-shaped site with significant level differences, we proposed a continuous two-story building facing the open agricultural landscape, responding carefully to the site’s topography and context.

The ground-floor level is aligned with the surrounding farmland, allowing the interior to connect visually and horizontally with the expansive rural landscape beyond. For the exterior walls, stacked river stones — commonly found in the retaining walls around the site — were used to resonate with the existing masonry, enabling the architecture to become an integral part of the landscape.

For the second-floor terrace and roof structure, solid timber rafters were employed, reflecting local building traditions. Although newly constructed, the architecture is designed to appear as though it has long been part of the village setting.

Project overview

The project site viewed from the lotus pond

Local craftsmen are highly skilled in working with regional materials, and the stone used in the project was sourced from a nearby river close to the site. The village is characterized by significant changes in elevation, with numerous retaining walls constructed from stacked river stones throughout the area.

By inheriting and continuing these traditional construction methods, the architecture is positioned as an extension of its surroundings, allowing it to blend naturally into the site and its broader landscape.

Selecting and transporting local stone with local craftsmen

The junction between the stonework and the timber frames was carefully detailed to emphasize the layered texture of the stacked stone. By introducing “gaps” between the building volumes, visual permeability is maintained, and the overall mass is broken down into smaller-scale forms that do not obstruct the views from the terraces behind.

Traditional timber construction methods were adopted for the roof and balconies, and reclaimed wood was incorporated to preserve a modest and tranquil architectural expression.

Architectural voids are carved out between the guest rooms, serving as entrances and generating intimate courtyard spaces

“Void” concept sketch ©kooo architects

The interior and the terrace are connected through the “void”

In the overall planning, interstitial “void” spaces were inserted between the guest rooms and designated as entrances. These spaces function as private outdoor gardens for each room while simultaneously articulating the building mass, allowing it to harmonize with the scale and character of the surrounding houses.

As guests move from the reception to their rooms, they pass through the second-floor “void” spaces, where they can enjoy views of the expansive rural landscape beyond. Throughout their stay, guests are able to engage more deeply with the surrounding natural scenery, experiencing a form of hospitality entirely distinct from that of an urban hotel. The “void” is not merely a corridor, but an approach to each room that also serves as a semi-private garden.

By fully opening the large sliding glass doors at the guest room entrance, the interior merges seamlessly with the outdoor garden, creating a more open and fluid spatial experience.

Timber structure and tiled roof overlapping with the village landscape

The “voids” between the building volumes create visual permeability and, together with the smaller-scaled composition, secure unobstructed views from the platform behind.

Traditional local timber construction methods were adopted for the roof and balconies, and reclaimed wood was used to maintain a simple and unadorned architectural expression.

The guesthouse is a two-story structure composed of eight distinct room types. This variety of layouts encourages repeat visits, offering guests a different spatial experience with each stay.

Two stories / Eight guest room types section diagram ©kooo architects

Spaces requiring a higher level of privacy, such as the bedrooms, are located on the ground floor and enclosed by stone walls. Facing the rural landscape, these rooms provide a comfortable stay while allowing guests to enjoy the expansive views of the surrounding countryside.

Guest room 01 (loft) – Interior

In the loft-type guest rooms, the curved ceiling of the ground floor extends continuously to the second level, forming a soft, enveloping spatial experience. This curved surface blurs the boundary between interior lighting and natural light, allowing subtle changes in daylight to generate a range of atmospheres within the room.

Guest room 02 (loft) – Interior

Within the interior, different materials are carefully articulated to create distinct spatial experiences on the first and second floors. A layered relationship is established between the timber-ceilinged living space above and the stone-enclosed ground floor facing the rural landscape, balancing openness and privacy.

From the second-floor balcony, expansive views unfold across the countryside, while large openings on the ground floor allow direct access to the fields. The selection of materials was undertaken with great care, ensuring a cohesive spatial atmosphere while simultaneously contrasting with the richness of the surrounding natural environment — drawing the landscape inward and integrating it into the interior experience.

Guest room 05 (loft) – Interior

Within the minimal spatial composition, simple materials are applied to the walls and floors, allowing the distinctive timber roof structure to stand out.

Guest room 06 (loft) – Interior

Guest room 07 (loft) – Interior

Guest room 08 (loft) – Interior

In addition to using the region’s abundant local stone for the exterior walls, contemporary design strategies have been employed to incorporate the stone as an interior feature wall. This allows guests to experience the site-specific landscape from within the building itself.

Ground floor – Shared staircase and interior corridor

Second floor – Outdoor shared corridor

To respond to the visual character of the existing village and balance the architecture with its natural surroundings while creating a sense of openness, the continuous second-floor volumes of the building were segmented. This allows the guesthouse to achieve a scale that harmonizes with the neighboring structures.

The textures of nature unfold continuously, as if from within the walls that have weathered the passage of time, new life begins to emerge. River stones, sourced directly from the nearby stream, are pure natural materials left uncarved, conveying both simplicity and a quiet strength. Stacking these stones forms robust retaining walls, emphasizing the profound depth of time that has flowed through this landscape.

These design strategies not only enrich the spatial experience but also effectively connect circulation paths, weaving overlapping layers of space that guide movement and frame views throughout the architecture.

Floating above the rice fields, the building reflects the colors and textures of the crops and the surrounding landscape