Yaojia Yangxin Villa is a hidden vacation retreat nestled within a valley. Located in Yaoshun Yangxin Valley, Zhangmeita Village, Donghe Township, Zhuji City, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, the design embraces the essence of mountain architecture. It seamlessly integrates with the valley, becoming part of nature’s landscape. This villa offers a peaceful escape from the urban hustle, allowing visitors to reconnect with life amidst lush green mountains.
Simulated Village
The guest accommodations consist of six independent blocks, designed to minimize noise interference by separating the units. These small houses weave together to create numerous semi-private spaces, allowing each room its own sanctuary. Guests enjoy framed views of the surrounding forest and distant mountains, enhancing privacy and connection with nature.
The design of the six houses reflects traditional village layouts. The winding staircases resemble narrow mountain paths, encouraging guests to interact with nature as they move from the public spaces at the valley’s base to their private rooms. Arranged in a “V” shape, the layout enhances privacy while offering panoramic views of the stunning landscape ahead.
Color plays a vital role in the villa’s aesthetics. The buildings are painted in vibrant brick red, harmonizing with the surrounding mountains and forests. This creates a striking contrast described as “a few red dots amidst thousands of green trees.” The infinity pool resembles a sparkling sapphire, enhancing the villa’s presence within the valley.
Exploration and Enhancement
The project revitalizes the site’s original structures, transforming a former pigsty into a multi-functional reception hall, restaurant, guest rooms, staff dormitories, book bar, chess and card room, soaking pool, and more. This renovation breathes new life into idle rural resources, fostering local rural revitalization and tourism development.
△ Before and after renovation
The renovated rooms accommodate various public spaces, including restaurants, guest rooms, staff quarters, water bars, book bars, infinity pools, and soaking pools. This layout respects functional flow and guests’ needs while maximizing the use of original buildings to create natural, inviting communal areas. The aim is to provide guests with both comfort and a rich, engaging experience.
△ Before and after renovation
The renovation prioritized preserving the original foundation and mud wall textures. Windows were added or expanded to improve natural lighting and comfort, optimizing the indoor environment while maintaining a traditional living atmosphere.
△ Before and after renovation
To expand usable space, an auxiliary room was added along the exterior facade, compensating for the limited pathways around the original structure. An outdoor swimming pool was introduced, creating a more open spatial experience. Window renovations maximize views of the natural surroundings, turning each room into a tranquil retreat with scenic outlooks.
△ Before and after renovation
△ Entrance to Reception Hall
△ Public Areas Facade
△ Infinity Pool
Warmth and Comfort
Yaojia Yangxin Villa’s design philosophy centers around respecting nature. All construction follows the original terrain, using pile foundations and cantilevered land to blend seamlessly with the environment. Native trees are carefully preserved, minimizing ecological impact. The walls feature aluminum-magnesium-manganese alloy curtain materials, while large French windows use multi-layer composite glass to reduce heat transfer. This approach creates a warm, inviting atmosphere rather than a cold architectural space, fostering a harmonious life with nature.
The interior design of Heart Nourishing Villa emphasizes comfort and harmony. It offers a poetic living environment that seamlessly brings the outdoors inside. From the changing views through the windows reflecting the four seasons, to warm wooden tones and tasteful decorations, every element celebrates the integration of nature and serene living. The interiors evoke a timeless, balanced atmosphere, highlighting the charm of ultimate comfort in the forest.
The rooms are fully equipped with private bathrooms, bar counters, balcony seating, and two “small ears” – unique architectural features of the villa. Bathtubs and tatami mats are positioned on either side of the guest rooms, with French windows offering views of the forest. Guests can enjoy tea while immersed in greenery, experiencing harmony between humans and nature. The mountain-view suites are nestled mid-slope, accessed via forested steps and resting platforms. Natural light floods the rooms through the expansive windows, warming guests during winter stays.
△ Guest Room Balcony
△ Bubble Pool
Yangxin Villa strives to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. The second-floor guest rooms overlook the first-floor public areas, ensuring privacy while maximizing scenic views. The interior style focuses on natural, comfortable tones. The basement houses a hot spring pool, complemented by the swimming pool above, connected visually through a glass floor. Additional amenities include changing rooms, indoor golf, chess and card rooms, and table tennis facilities.
△ Landscaped Public Areas
△ Coffee Shop
The reception lobby evokes the cozy atmosphere of a vacation villa’s living room. Beyond the book bar’s porch lies a leisure bar and dining area. These spaces preserve the original building’s structural style, while floor-to-ceiling windows maximize views of the outdoor infinity pool and magnificent mountain scenery.
Indoor Golf Course
△ Tea Ceremony
△ Book Bar
Integration with Nature
The design embraces simplicity and prioritizes the sensory experience of the space. It avoids disrupting the natural environment, instead blending with the site’s original mountainous terrain. A flat, open clearing within the forest serves as a welcoming gathering spot. The swimming pool is designed to merge with the surrounding mountains and forests. Outdoor activity areas are situated under the tree canopy, creating comfortable shaded environments. Guest rooms positioned halfway up the mountain feature floor-to-ceiling windows that provide sweeping views of the water and green mountains, capturing peaceful moments throughout the day.
The landscape design is grounded in the philosophy of “coexistence between humans and nature.” It leverages the existing natural surroundings and incorporates low-maintenance, naturally growing plants to create an immersive, nature-rich environment. This approach helps soothe visitors’ stress and fosters deeper connections between people and the natural world.
△ Heart Nourishing Villa in Snow
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ Room Floor Plan
△ Guest Room Front View
△ Guest Room Front View
△ Room Section Diagram
△ Public Area Plan
△ Public Area Plan
△ Public Areas Front View
△ Public Area Section
Project Information
Project Name: Yaojia Heart Nourishing Villa
Location: Zhuji, Zhejiang, China
Status: Completed
Function: High-end boutique homestay, restaurant, book bar, chess and card room, staff dormitory, swimming pool, activity room
Building Area: 1344 square meters
Design Team: Shanghai Yaoshun Architectural Design Co., Ltd
Construction Unit: Zhejiang Yaoshun Tourism Development Co., Ltd
Lead Architects: Guo Shuiyao, Liu Jie
Program Creators: Liu Yang, Wang Yang, Yang Yang
Architecture: Liu Yang
Structure: Huang Xiaohuan
Water Supply and Drainage: Chen Qingbiao
Electrical: Pan Xiangliang
HVAC: Pan Jie
Interior Design: Shi Xinhua, Zhou Zhe, Zhang Xianjun
Landscape: Qi Chaojie, Huang Wei
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