On a 5,000 square meter site in the southeast corner of Tangshan Mountain in Nanjing, Monoarchi has completed four hot spring huts.
According to the features of the site, which include one side of stacked rocks that stand out from the woods, the architect positioned the huts in four distinctive locations ranging from deep in the forest, to gradually transitioning in the stone-piled area of land.
Preserving the existing landform and vegetation, a plank path of the site passes through the woods and rocks, connecting the four independent huts like the vein of a leaf. The four huts feature two completely different forms.
Large glass windows in each glass room break through the façade, facing different angles and positioned at different heights to optimize a connection with nature. The curving shape of an enclosed irregular patio and a 5 square meter hot spring pool offers a place to take in the landscape.
The other two hut forms respond to their position within the site’s rock. Flat lying stones are used for the foundation of the hut. Sharp cliffs tear apart the direct connection between functional spaces, resulting in a branch-like form.
The scale of each branch of the building is defined by function. The bedrooms and living room face outwards to nature, while the bathroom is visually blocked from the exterior.
One of these huts is hidden between the rocks and woods, while the other is exposed above the rocks, leaning against a tree and huge rock cliffs. The architect in both of these instances opened up a skylight for users to look up to the sky.
The living room and the surrounding space enclosed by the rocks are paved with off-white terrazzo. When the pool is filled with spring, users can directly experience the joy of the rough texture of nature and the delicateness of man-made materials.
