Daijing Village, located in Shanghai’s Jinshan District, is a classic water town in the Jiangnan region, where generations have lived by the water, farming and fishing. With the development of the nearby Flower Sea Ecological Park, the village is experiencing gradual transformation. The rise in tourism demands new business models, as traditional rural tourism no longer satisfies urban vacationers’ expectations.
This project aims to create a pilot homestay that serves as a model for innovation, supporting the industrial upgrading of local farmers and establishing the Huahai homestay brand. The key challenge was to connect the expansive flower sea with the Jiangnan water town, forming the core concept behind this design.
The renovation preserved the original residential layout, featuring a one-story north wing and a three-story south wing, along with distinct south and north courtyards. In line with local regulations, the interior layout was adjusted without altering the building’s original roofline.
The flower sea, located to the north, serves as the primary scenic focus and is integrated into guest rooms on the second and third floors through large windows, inviting the landscape indoors. A prominent external staircase acts as a dynamic visual element, connecting various viewing points. As visitors ascend to the third floor, their gaze flows between the flower sea and the charming water town scenery.
Regarding style and character, the homestay is designed to blend harmoniously with its surroundings rather than stand out. It aims for a subtle presence that respects the Jiangnan water town’s traditional charm. As a leading renovation project in Jingcun, it avoids conflicting with the established local aesthetic.
Preserving the signature pink walls and black tiles while maintaining the traditional water town scale was a guiding principle. Building on this, we incorporated petal-shaped curved forms into elements such as stairwell canopies, shared recreational areas, and window designs. This fusion of traditional and novel forms creates striking visual highlights and memorable features.
Additionally, the roof facing the flower sea features decorative colored metal tiles designed to resemble falling petals, adding a rich color layering within the courtyard. This project symbolizes the convergence of the Jiangnan water town culture with the Four Seasons Flower Sea, shaping the homestay’s unique identity. We hope this thoughtful approach adds new beauty to Daijing Village.
Project Drawings
△ Location Map
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
The functional layout was carefully reorganized based on the existing structure to optimize space and usage.
△ Scheme Generation
△ Function Update
Project Information
Architectural Design: DUS Studio
Area: 285 square meters
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Guo Jing
Lead Architect: Wu Maohui
Design Team: Li Kuan, Huang Xinbo, Sun Yujie
Principal: Shanghai Huajing Construction and Development Co., Ltd
Interior Design: C.H.Y Shanghai Zeqin Interior Design Co., Ltd
Location: Shanghai, China
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