journal
Photography: AOGVISION
27 / 12 / 2022
The recent transformation of the relationship between urban and rural life was the motto for this project, signed by the Chinese architecture studio CAALADI.
In recent years, this relationship has ceased to be one of the opposites, gradually becoming closer to mutual enrichment. However, the fact remains that the countryside needs more amenities and conveniences of the city, and the city is largely separated from nature due to distance and lifestyle. This sharp contrast gives country life a high prominence for city dwellers.
The Nanchawan Stone Houses project is located in a small mountain village in Hubei Province, adjacent to the famous Three Gorges area along the Yangtze River. The local landscape is dotted with small mountain villages, offering abundant cultural and natural beauty. During the project's design process, the architects established that "the countryside takes precedence over the design".
When laying out the plan for this village of stone houses, the designer consciously decided to avoid a typical commercial hotel approach. Instead, he opted for a design strategy to develop the traditional local architecture in a new direction while maintaining the existing character.
Following an initial site visit, two 'Phase 1' buildings were developed. Initially, the buildings belonged to two brothers: like the buildings belonging to the other villagers, these were built with locally sourced mountain stones.
Using traditional Yichang stone architecture as a reference, the design of the new houses aimed to maintain the original character of the old village, expressing the continuity and progression of time. Due to the striking regional characteristics of the local stone, its presence in the new homes provides a clear connection to rural aesthetics while confirming the quality of timelessness.
The Nanchawan Stone Houses project is located in a small mountain village in Hubei Province, adjacent to the famous Three Gorges area along the Yangtze River. The local landscape is dotted with small mountain villages, offering abundant cultural and natural beauty. During the project's design process, the architects established that "the countryside takes precedence over the design".
When laying out the plan for this village of stone houses, the designer consciously decided to avoid a typical commercial hotel approach. Instead, he opted for a design strategy to develop the traditional local architecture in a new direction while maintaining the existing character.
Following an initial site visit, two 'Phase 1' buildings were developed. Initially, the buildings belonged to two brothers: like the buildings belonging to the other villagers, these were built with locally sourced mountain stones.
Using traditional Yichang stone architecture as a reference, the design of the new houses aimed to maintain the original character of the old village, expressing the continuity and progression of time. Due to the striking regional characteristics of the local stone, its presence in the new homes provides a clear connection to rural aesthetics while confirming the quality of timelessness.
The second phase consists of several buildings arranged on the hillside in an irregular pattern, which continues and evolves the architectural relationship with the terrain. Rather than being oriented towards each other, the position of the 'Phase 2' houses was determined by the contours of the land, similar to existing old rural houses. With this method, a sense of organic order is achieved by respecting the existing environmental conditions on-site.
Throughout the project, the stone was used in place of traditional wood and is connected to a structural steel system that guarantees to build stability and rigidity. Traditional sloping roof forms have been implemented with streamlined eaves, while a modern window frame system comprising various opening sizes offers a wide range of views of the surroundings. In this way, the external environment is brought closer to the internal spaces of the project, allowing rural life and nature to be seen from the new interiors with a modern sensibility.
The designers incorporated a respectful and sensitive strategy to the existing area to minimize the impact of the new homes on the environment. As a result, most of the existing natural elements on the site were maintained, the original hierarchical structure of the village's architecture was preserved, and the site's natural vegetation could grow again after construction.
"Rural construction takes time, especially artisanal construction". The architects understood that traditional construction techniques could only be done after some time and ensured that the project was built in close collaboration with local artisans.
While stone is used as a building material and interior decoration, the interior has been designed to conform to a contemporary lifestyle. Varying proportions of wood, steel and stone were implemented to create many different interior combinations. By recruiting local artisans with a variety of skills, the timeless nature of the field can be felt and seen in the project's materials.
The hustle and bustle of the city is just a memory here, replaced by a direct rural experience and a more straightforward way of living.
Throughout the project, the stone was used in place of traditional wood and is connected to a structural steel system that guarantees to build stability and rigidity. Traditional sloping roof forms have been implemented with streamlined eaves, while a modern window frame system comprising various opening sizes offers a wide range of views of the surroundings. In this way, the external environment is brought closer to the internal spaces of the project, allowing rural life and nature to be seen from the new interiors with a modern sensibility.
The designers incorporated a respectful and sensitive strategy to the existing area to minimize the impact of the new homes on the environment. As a result, most of the existing natural elements on the site were maintained, the original hierarchical structure of the village's architecture was preserved, and the site's natural vegetation could grow again after construction.
"Rural construction takes time, especially artisanal construction". The architects understood that traditional construction techniques could only be done after some time and ensured that the project was built in close collaboration with local artisans.
While stone is used as a building material and interior decoration, the interior has been designed to conform to a contemporary lifestyle. Varying proportions of wood, steel and stone were implemented to create many different interior combinations. By recruiting local artisans with a variety of skills, the timeless nature of the field can be felt and seen in the project's materials.
The hustle and bustle of the city is just a memory here, replaced by a direct rural experience and a more straightforward way of living.
For more informations visit CAALADI website.
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