The project is situated in the Nan’an Scenic Area of Chongqing, China. Originally, the site consisted of a 20-acre, relatively isolated old courtyard with multiple individual buildings that had been developed somewhat haphazardly during the late 20th century. The terrain is uneven and the vegetation is dense, making the richness of the natural environment our greatest asset, while the challenge lies in renovating the aged buildings.
▼ Project Location
▼ Original Appearance
▼ After Renovation
▼ Concept Sketch
Chongqing is known for its significant elevation differences and diverse terrain, making it an exceptionally three-dimensional city.
The project is located within the mountains of Nan’an District, which inspired the name Nanshanli Homestay. Our design draws from the contours of the mountains, the treetops, clouds, and sky. Our goal is to craft a new contour that bridges nature and architecture, offering the mountains a fresh dimension and providing an immersive architectural experience that embraces the natural surroundings.
▼ Roof Outline
The site lies on the south bank of the mountain, with approximately 13 meters of elevation difference between the northern and southern ends. The entrance is on the north side, while the southern side offers stunning views above the treetops. Our primary focus was to utilize this height difference and capitalize on the terrain’s best vantage points.
▼ Guest Rooms Among the Treetops
▼ North Facade of Guest Room
▼ Treetop Restaurant
▼ West Facade of Restaurant
The original buildings varied in height, angle, and spatial relationships, forming a collection of disconnected structures without overall cohesion. This significantly limited their practical use and spatial experience. Our renovation primarily focuses on adding an outdoor corridor to connect all buildings functionally, while reorganizing spatial relationships within each area (BIM tutorial). Visitors can access any part of the building from the lobby without stairs, freely moving between buildings and among the treetops. This design blurs the boundaries between vegetation and architecture, allowing the built environment and natural landscape to merge seamlessly.
▼ Axial Analysis Diagram
▼ South Facade of Lobby
▼ South Facade of Lobby
▼ Corridor Facade
▼ Corner of the Corridor
▼ Corner of the Corridor
▼ Corridor Facade
▼ Corner of the Corridor
▼ Interior of the Corridor
As a homestay, the guest room experience is one of the most vital spatial sensations. We aimed for each room to evoke a sense of embracing nature, allowing guests to feel that their space is an integral part of the mountain’s outline.
▼ Interior of Guest Rooms
▼ Guest Room Balcony
▼ Leisure Platform
We intended for the restaurant space to be as transparent as possible. To achieve this, we included an outdoor courtyard at its center, creating a “loop” layout that allows guests to fully experience the embrace of nature and enjoy distant views.
▼ Restaurant Facade
▼ Restaurant Balcony
▼ Restaurant Interior View
▼ Restaurant Interior View
We aimed to ensure that every corner of the public spaces offers small scenic views, so visitors can encounter delightful surprises throughout the area.
▼ Space Corner
▼ Space Corner
▼ First Floor Plan
▼ Profile
Project Information:
Project Name: Nanshanli Homestay
Category: Renovation of Old Buildings
Location: Chongqing, China
Design Period: August to November 2017
Construction Period: April to November 2018
Total Building Area: 4,680 square meters
Design Firm: Linjian Design Studio
Lead Designer: Zhao Yang
Design Team: Ma Sitong, Guan Ji, Wang Zijun, Song Jiawen, Cai Chengkai
Contact Email: __AI_S_SC0__
Studio Website: www.linjiand (BIM Design) design.com
Photography © Linjian Design Studio
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up