△ Realistic view of the dock homestay
Bathed in the rich hues of autumn, the lake stretches its shimmering light for miles.
The god of waves revealed the setting sun, scattering scales and gentle ripples across the water.
—— From Zhang Xiaoxiang’s “Xijiang Moon: Under the Wind Blocking Mountain Peak”
Situated in Shanwan Village, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, the Shipyard Homestay, together with Shuishanju Restaurant, forms the Qushui Shanwan Rural Revitalization Demonstration Zone. This area, known as Huanzhongjiadang, serves as a model for rural revitalization and the “Beautiful Wujiang” initiative. It is also a pilot zone for the ecological and green integrated development demonstration area in the Yangtze River Delta. Since 2020, a series of rural revitalization projects driven by agriculture, culture, and tourism have been underway.
Location: Shanwan Village, Wujiang District, Suzhou City
The dock homestay is the second project by Goa Elephant Design in this region, catering to the dining and lodging needs of visitors. The village entrance cluster, anchored by Shuishan Residence Restaurant, serves as the first stop for tourists arriving in Shanwan Village and will become a communal living space for local residents.
The Zhong family’s magnificent view
A bustling canopy
The natural water port dock on the south side of the site recalls the architect’s memories of boat-filled waterways in Jiangnan water towns. The image of “fragrant green water, gentle boats, and canopies” is a nostalgia shared by every water town resident. Inspired by this, the architect based the design on the black boat, extracting the arched roof’s distinctive shape and translating it into the building’s curved rooflines.
△ Qushui Shanwan Architectural Complex
The arched roofs not only offer visitors a unique visual experience but also introduce new architectural geometry to the otherwise flat rural skyline. When ships gather, stories emerge from their meeting. The image of clustered boat canopies sparks the imagination of visitors, evoking the bustling life of water towns.
△ Facade at the entrance of the dock homestay
Parking and lodging
Like cruise ships anchored along the shore, the homestay serves as a welcoming destination for visitors. It offers guests an authentic local experience. The warm yellow glow illuminating the clustered canopies creates a cozy refuge for travelers on the move.
△ Qushui Shanwan Architectural Complex
The dock homestay’s restaurant is located on the first floor with a waterfront view, occupying a prime vantage point. The restaurant floor is set 0.3 meters below the water surface level, immersing visitors within a black-roofed cabin that evokes the cherished memories of local water town residents.
△ Restaurant on the first floor of the dock homestay
Gradually intensifying views
△ Dockyard Homestay Reception Desk
△ Dockyard Homestay Reception Desk
The dock homestay’s architecture is divided into three main parts: the entrance reception area, the restaurant, and the guest rooms. The largest arch welcomes visitors into the reception area, guiding them towards the water—a symbolic beginning to the spatial journey. Two additional multi-directional arched buildings flank the sides, separated by a courtyard into front and rear sections, housing the restaurant and guest rooms respectively.
△ Dock Homestay Staircase
Ascending to the second floor, guests experience a gradual intensification of the symbolic arched roof, a prelude to the expansive wetlands beyond.
△ Guest rooms on the first floor of the dock homestay
△ Dockyard Homestay Second Floor Rooms
The guest room roofs mirror the arched design, with each arch corresponding to a room. Positioned at the intersection of village life and natural surroundings, guests gradually leave behind urban routines and reconnect with nature.
Project Drawings
Project Information
Project Name: Qushui Shanwan Shipyard Homestay
Location: Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province
Owner: Suzhou Fenhu Investment Group Co., Ltd
Architectural Design: Goa Elephant Design
Interior Design: WJ STUDIO Wanjing Design
Landscape Design: Zhejiang Lean Engineering Design Consulting Co., Ltd
Operations Consultant: Suzhou Blue City Tourism Co., Ltd
Design/Completion: 2021 / 2022
Building Area: 900 square meters
Image Credits: Architectural Photography, Goa Elephant Design, Zhang Xi
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