The Da Le Zhi Ye · Ginkgo Valley Homestay project is nestled in Guangjiachong, Jiukouyan Village, Luoyang Town, Suizhou, Hubei Province. The term “Chong” describes the flat land between valleys common in Hunan and Hubei provinces, ideal for cultivation, irrigation, and drainage. Jiukouyan Village lies on the edge of the Xiangguang Fault Zone, characterized by gentle, continuous mountains. The project occupies six abandoned homesteads scattered across the village, with land parcels ranging from 120 to 1050 square meters, situated among the mountains. The village entrance is to the north, where the valley is enriched by over 200 water fir trees and ancient ginkgo trees aged over a thousand years.
The concept of appropriate construction here involves adapting the design to the natural site, creating a setting and atmosphere that reconnects people with the land and village in their original, untouched state. The design integrates the buildings into the landscape with a low profile, carefully preserving the mountain’s natural ambiance without overpowering it. By adjusting elevation differences, building forms, flow patterns, and landscape alignments, the project fosters intimate connections between people and the rural environment. The new structures act as guests on the site—both viewpoints and objects within the scenery.
The spatial organization is designed around human visual perception, considering body scale and experience. Functional rooms are arranged in geometric clusters to maximize efficient use of space. By incorporating triangular and trapezoidal shapes, existing trees on the site are integrated, creating a dynamic experience that blends movement with stillness and blurs boundaries between indoors and outdoors. This approach seeks to organize diverse settlement forms within a restrained modular framework.
The newly constructed front hall sits on a terrace, continuing the original courtyard layout with two roof levels—one higher, one lower—leading front to back toward a central water play pool. The gentle slope enhances the sense of enclosure within the inner courtyard. A series of frames connect with pathways, extending the limited indoor space into the outdoors through these framed views.
The treehouse is positioned at the intersection of two paths leading into the valley. The design carefully avoids the roots of ancient trees while accommodating two standard guest rooms and equipment storage. The building is elevated to a high position, with the dense ginkgo canopy providing privacy and scenic views from the windows. The open ground level beneath naturally forms a semi-outdoor activity space for dining, roasting ginkgo fruits, and relaxing on swings.
The open-air tea pavilion features dark wooden structures, burnt cedar shingles, and local rubble stone, discreetly nestled between two white buildings—a café and guest rooms.
The value of the homestay experience begins with the residence itself and extends to encompass the site, environment, and services. The designers create a symbiotic relationship between the houses and surrounding trees, shaped by human scale and behavior, forming a scene where the six sites are both independent and interconnected.
This approach encourages guests to quickly develop a fresh and welcoming emotional connection with the venue.
Project Drawings
△ Base schematic diagram
△ Model diagram
△ Model diagram
△ Model diagram
△ Model diagram
△ Model diagram
△ Model diagram
△ Plan view
△ Plan view
△ Plan view
△ Plan view
△ Plan view
△ Analysis chart
△ Analysis chart
Project Information
Architect: Mo Guang Architecture
Area: 2500 m²
Project Year: 2023
Photographer: Su Shengliang
Manufacturers: KNAUF, Xinyi Glass, Lishu Stone
Lead Architects: Li Jiaying, Feng Xin
Design Team: Li Jiaying, Feng Xin, Shen Zhiyu, Pan Yongjia, Zhang Kuangzhi (Intern)
Client: Da Le Zhi Ye Hotel Management Co., Ltd
Structural Consultant: Ma Zhigang
Mechanical & Electrical Consultants: He Chunhui, Liu Hongfei, Wei Tianliang
Construction: Shanghai Yeyouzhu Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd
Lighting Design: Kaihe Lighting Design (Beijing) Co., Ltd
Location: Suizhou
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