Dongquan Village, located on Caishi Street in the Licheng District of Jinan City, Shandong Province, is renowned as a scenic village and one of the first national forest demonstration villages. Its stunning natural surroundings and quaint village charm form the essence of the homestay design showcased here. This project marks the initial development phase of a village-scale homestay complex, personally invested in and constructed by the owner. It consists of four separate buildings, each creating an independent courtyard, together forming a compact homestay cluster with exemplary demonstration value.
The project cluster is situated in the historic part of Dongquan Village, adjacent to a natural river channel to the west. Previously, this river channel was fed by flowing springs, but recent years have seen its restoration and revitalization thanks to supportive renovation policies and the national rural revitalization strategy. This has gradually brought back the river’s original appearance, harmonizing with ongoing village development and preservation efforts.
The village master plan depicts the project area in red, the natural river channel in blue, and the existing village houses in gray.
With residential buildings bordering the south and east sides of the site, the west side facing the river, and the north side opening onto a village road with a stone slope, the project’s west and north sides provide scenic views and open spaces. Notably, the only entrance to the site is from the north.
Architecturally, the design carefully considers the proximity to villagers’ homes, aiming to minimize disruption to local life. It emphasizes respect for the natural environment by enhancing and framing the original ecological landscape, thereby enlivening the village scenery.
△ Surrounding geographical environment of the village
The site plan reveals the layout of buildings numbered 1 through 4.
To address noise, fire safety, and privacy concerns, the south side of the site maintains a solid wall without windows to preserve privacy and minimize disturbance. Conversely, the west side and necessary portions of the north side above the second floor feature large windows. Window placements are carefully planned to align with outdoor views and indoor sightlines, fostering a living environment closely connected with nature.
Material selection for both interiors and exteriors reflects the village’s architectural character, incorporating rubble, rammed earth, and cement to create a cohesive homestay community.
This design integrates architecture and interior elements to create a rural residence that blends seamlessly into the traditional village fabric, reflecting local customs and adapting to the terrain. The four distinct spatial volumes convey a sense of being secluded from the city while remaining close to its vibrancy.
01 Light and Shadow Box
——Courtyard 1 | Soft Light Lane
Where light and shadow intertwine,
The stone wall reflects the tree shadows.
Courtyard 1 occupies the northwest corner of the site, offering prime views of the river to the west and the village road with a stone slope to the north. Consequently, the design highlights the west and north facades with expansive windows. A terrace on the second floor is also incorporated to maximize the limited scenic opportunities.
Designed to accommodate human behavior, Courtyard 1’s interior is divided into public living rooms, entertainment, and residential areas across two floors, comfortably housing up to 10 guests. The first floor primarily contains bedrooms, while the second floor serves as a public area connected to the terrace for enjoying the views.
△ Spatial layout of Courtyard 1
Main facade materials include rubble, rammed earth paint, and wooden cladding.
The entrance hall on the first floor features glass bricks with hollowed patterns on both sides, casting scattered light onto the floor and blending tangible and ethereal elements. Light becomes a medium enhancing the interaction between humans and nature within the space.
△ Entrance foyer
The first floor houses three bedrooms: two double rooms on the west side and one on the east. West Bedroom 1 features a small private courtyard, while West Bedroom 2 prominently incorporates glass bricks. Large windows enhance the outdoor views and indoor connectivity while maintaining privacy. The east bedroom includes two tatami mats to foster intimacy.
△ West bedroom on the first floor
△ East bedroom on the first floor
The second floor combines dining and living areas into a unified public space ideal for gatherings and meetings. The outdoor terrace includes a soaking pool designed for parent-child interaction and can also accommodate barbecues. This terrace overlooks the village river and offers panoramic mountain views.
△ Second floor dining hall
△ Second floor terrace
02 Plant Box
——Courtyard 2 | Secret Forest Realm
Lush rainforest, vibrant and abundant,
Where color and charm coexist.
Courtyard 2 is a two-story structure adjacent to the village courtyard on its south side. To maintain privacy, large windows are reserved primarily on the west facade facing the river, maximizing scenic views and maintaining clear sightlines. The courtyard acts as a compact, self-contained “gift box,” with indoor spaces arranged accordingly: the cantilevered public area occupies the west side on the first floor, while bedrooms are clustered on the east side. The entire courtyard accommodates up to 9 guests.
△ Spatial layout of Courtyard 2
Main facade material: rammed earth paint.
The spacious first-floor living room features a large west-facing window offering panoramic mountain views. An elevated rubble stone wall with a fireplace adds a relaxed ambiance. The interior is enriched with numerous tropical plants, reinforcing the homestay’s thematic atmosphere.
△ Living room
To emphasize the “plant box” concept, tall tropical coconut trees extend through both floors. Interior walls extensively feature glass bricks that are transparent but obscure human shapes, allowing light to permeate and fostering a sense of intimacy with the rural landscape. The master bedroom on the second floor integrates glass brick walls and green plants in the workspace. Since large east-facing windows are difficult to incorporate, two skylights provide natural daylight during the day and enable stargazing at night.
△ Second-floor indoor balcony connecting to towering coconut trees on both floors
△ Second-floor bedroom
03 Rough Box
——Courtyard 3 | One Pool Villa
Surrounded by mountains, rocks, ponds, and water,
Find your inner peace.
Courtyard 3 spans two floors and accommodates up to 13 guests indoors, making it the largest building with its own private courtyard. Surrounded on the west by Courtyards 1 and 2, on the east by Courtyard 4, and adjacent to villagers’ homes to the south, the design maximizes use of the northwest vacant space to create a courtyard with its own unique view. The public space on the first floor is designed with maximum transparency to integrate indoor and outdoor environments.
△ Spatial layout of Courtyard 3
Main facade materials include rubble, wooden cladding, and plain concrete.
The elevated living room serves as the indoor public area adjacent to the courtyard. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls bring the exterior scenery inside, creating an optimal viewing experience.
△ Living room
The folded black steel staircase creates seamless indoor-outdoor circulation, complementing both interior and exterior activities. The outdoor courtyard features a pool, while the indoor space includes entertainment areas. This integration of interior and exterior is a highlight of Courtyard 3.
Indoor and outdoor staircases
The bedrooms in Courtyard 3 are relatively separated from public areas. The living room features two large windows: one framing distant mountain views and the other overlooking the private courtyard.
△ Second-floor bedroom
04 Stacked Box
——Courtyard 4 | Stacked Fortress
Escape the bustle of daily life,
Step into a tranquil sanctuary where tea and meditation prevail.
Courtyard 4 rises four stories and accommodates eight guests indoors. The first floor serves as reception and logistical support, while the upper floors contain three independent loft-style guest rooms.
△ Spatial layout of Courtyard 4
Main facade materials include rubble, wooden cladding, and rammed earth paint.
Loft 01 and Loft 02 elevate the typical bedroom concept into a “nest” spread over two floors. Bathrooms and rest areas are located on the lower level, with each loft expressing its own style within a compact footprint.
△ LOFT 01 Light Mud – Wabi Sabi Minimalist, preserving simplicity at a micro scale.
△ LOFT 02 Lingzhu – Japanese MUJI style, featuring a bathtub to maximize comfort within a compact space.
Loft 03, located on the top floor, is a suite with a retro-modern minimalist aesthetic. It includes a dining room, living room, and two guest bedrooms. The south-facing bedroom opens onto an outdoor balcony with exceptional views.
During construction, design optimizations were made based on site conditions and surroundings to enhance suitability. A bookshelf gable was added above the living room wall, fully utilizing vertical space as a central feature. This addition fosters interaction among guests and enriches activity possibilities within the space.
△ LOFT 03 Memory Nest – Through the fusion of “local” and “art,” the design revives the purest local customs.
05 Conclusion
As a pioneering homestay model in the Shoukai District, this project leverages thoughtful design logic to overcome site limitations. Functionally, it organizes spaces around three core themes: family, friendship, and love, offering diverse layouts. Each courtyard features generous public spaces to compensate for spatial constraints. The varied courtyard designs cater to the suburban homestay market, creating distinctive local experiences.
The natural shade of trees imparts an irreplaceable atmosphere to the outdoor spaces.
The Dongquan Village Homestay Cluster exemplifies the link between rural revitalization and the preservation of green mountains and rivers. It is designed to foster cultural and tourism development, promoting diverse and distinctive rural tourism experiences. The project encourages functional integration, creating a new model of leisure space that is livable, business-friendly, and welcoming for tourists.
Project Information
Project Name: Jinan Dongquan Village Homestay Cluster Design
Location: Jinan City, Shandong Province
Floor Area: 732.5 square meters
Building Area: 1069 square meters
Indoor Area: 695 square meters
Design Unit: CCDI Smart Interior Design Center
Design/Completion: April 2021 to November 2022
Design Director: Li Zhiyu
Scheme Design: Zhang Xinyu, Pu Yuzhen, Dong Yuxi, Guo Qijia, Zhang Penghui, Wang Huan, Zeng Huifan, Wang Xiaoxia
Deepening Design: Bai Yaling, Wu Wengeng, Gong Lei
Design Collaboration: SYN Architects
Owner: Shanxiang Group Jiunvfeng (Tai’an) Rural Revitalization Co., Ltd
Hotel Management: Rareyard Boutique Homestay in the Backyard
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