"Wa Li," derived from the She language, signifies surprise and wonder. Located in Anji She Township, the project is built into the mountainside, facing rolling mountains on one side and adjacent to tea plantations on the other. The site is near a rafting area, boasting abundant natural resources and a rich She ethnic cultural atmosphere.
The design takes this as its starting point, respecting the natural environment while exploring a younger, more open approach to vacationing.
Faced with superior mountain views, the building's main viewing interface is oriented towards the mountain. Conversely, the side facing the road uses large areas of blank space and interspersed elements to create an architectural form resembling rocks, making the building another "mountain" in the wilderness.
The entrance unfolds in layers following the sloping terrain, leading to the main building through forest trails, lawns, and landscaped nodes. The infinity pool is situated on the hillside of the tea plantation and connected to the main building by a bridge, integrating the mountain views, tea gardens, and reflections on the water.
The design incorporates natural materials such as stone and wood, and extracts She ethnic cultural imagery in an abstract way, so that ethnic culture is no longer just a collection of symbols, but is transformed into a way of life and spatial character.
The large glass facade brings the mountain views indoors, and the building appears to float lightly above the site. Reception, breakfast, coffee, water bar and bar functions are integrated into the open space, and the view extends through the transparent facade to the distant mountains.
"Hidden in the mountains" - the low-scale eaves gently lower the center of gravity of the space, and the wooden surfaces, stone textures and natural vegetation together create a scene atmosphere that is closer to the mountains and forests.
She ethnic minority dwellings have always been centered around an open main hall, with few partitions and a strong emphasis on connectivity, thus preserving this sense of openness throughout the space.
Instead of creating a so-called "vacation feel" through elaborate decorations, the designer uses the organization of light, scenery, water features, and spatial scale to allow residents to rediscover the rhythm of life in the mountains and fields.
The dark ceiling and warm light gray walls echo the classic image of She ethnic minority traditional dwellings, which are "covered with black tiles and enclosed with rammed earth," just like the ink wash outline of She villages amidst green mountains.
The sunken floors on the slope utilize the elevation difference to create an independent and private living experience—exclusive courtyards and private hot spring spaces. The landscape interface set back by the building is transformed into a living scene that can be stayed in and experienced.
The withered branches placed by the window subtly reflect the simple aesthetics of the She ethnic group's mountain life, which is "taking things from nature to create everyday scenes," allowing the atmosphere of the mountains and forests to permeate every detail.
Following the layout logic of "open exterior, private interior," this suite is divided into two parts.Walking inside, large floor-to-ceiling windows bring the greenery of the mountains and forests into the room, borrowing the mountain scenery to allow the resting space to have a boundless dialogue with nature.
The design softens the boundary between the interior and the landscape, making the space a container for viewing nature.
The guest rooms are designed to harmonize with nature. The courtyard rooms on the first floor feature a private garden and hot spring area; the mountain view rooms on the second and third floors maximize the use of natural scenery.
Open the door and see the greenery, listen to the wind at night, WALI creates a more immersive vacation experience surrounded by mountains and forests.
Team:
Architects: AT DESIGN
Desigenrs: Hangzhou Shishang Architecture & Space Design Studio
Architectural Design, Interior Design
Design Team: Shen Mo, Ye Chengjie
Photography: Hanmo Visual
