An abandoned school in a mountain village in Beijing was transformed into a boutique hotel. Due to the restrictions, the structure of this rent property was not allowed to be changed. The project hired local villagers for construction in order to strengthen the connection with the village. Thus, we had to find a low-tech and light intervention strategy to reform the site experience.
We used 60,000 meters of hemp rope to transform the facades while barely touching the existing houses. Through the mesh of ropes, the original structure is revealed in different ways as viewers move, creating rich and dramatic light effect both inside and outside the rooms.
The site is situated close to a reservoir unseen from the site. We recreated the atmosphere of a waterfront settlement with a system of public paths elevated from the reflection pool, undulating up and down in gentle slopes.
Due to the extensive use of natural materials, the carbon footprint of the project is close to zero. At the end of the lease period, the ropes will be buried on site and return to dirt. All the natural materials will return to their life cycles in natural world.
Bio Domain Architects strives to reform the spatial experience with innovative site strategy. We consider “experience” as the core of all designs, and believe every site has its potential to generate unique spatial experience. By rejecting conventional models, we keep going back to the original nature of sites and programs to reinvent the logic and quality of spaces.
Mr. Xiaomeng Xu, the founder of the studio, was born in Beijing. He graduated from University of Pennsylvania with B.A. in architecture and then obtained Master of Architecture from Columbia University.
Other prizes 2020 NEW YORK Design Awards, Silver Award 2021 Architecture MasterPrize, Winner 2021 LIV Hospitality Design Awards, Jury's Top Pick, Asia Destination Winner 2021 Dezeen Awards, Longlist 2021 The Plan Award, Shortlist 2021 World Design Awards, Winner 2021 World Architecture Awards, Realised Award, Designed Award 2021 LONDON Design Awards, Gold Award 2021 Yuanye International Architecture Awards 2021 Guangzhou Design Week, IAF Awards 2021 Archdaily Best Architecture in 2021 2021 Archdaily Best Commercial Architecture in 2021 2022 Architecture MasterPrize, Best of Best 2022 LIV Hospitality Design Awards, Jury's Top Pick, Asia Destination Winner 2022 LUXlife Leading Designers Awards, Award for Excellence in Innovation 2022 Shanghai Design Week, Grand Prize 2022 AD 100 Young 2022 Archdaily Best Architecture in 2022 2023 Architizer A+ Awards, Finalist 2023 The Plan Award, Honorable Mention 2024 Architizer A+ Awards, Jury Winner, Popular Choice Winner 2024 Architecture MasterPrize, Shortlisted in Firm of the Year Award 2024 Architecture MasterPrize, Best of Best 2024 Design Educates Awards, Honorable Mention 2024 Dezeen Awards, Shortlist & Longlist 2024 Taipei Design Awards?Shortlist
