Located in the valley near Siming Lake in Yuyao, Sounder Inn is a peaceful retreat that offers a serene escape from the busy urban life. Adjacent to the ancient village of Guanpei, steeped in history dating back to the Xining period of the Northern Song Dynasty, the property is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and enveloped by bamboo forests. The ancient village is nestled against the mountains, creating a seamless fusion of natural beauty and cultural richness. Yuyao is renowned as a cradle of talents and boasts a profound cultural heritage. The design of Sounder Inn aims to create a rural sanctuary that provides a poetic abode, connecting guests with nature.
The project innovatively adopts local eco-friendly materials and old items, showcasing regional characteristics while weaving in the area's abundant cultural legacy, embodying homage and continuity for traditional culture.
The abundant use of local stone infuses a natural allure into the project. Delicately dried bamboo poles are artfully strung together to create a decorative canopy beneath the roof; bamboo slices are repurposed as stair railings and spatial partitions. Local bamboo is transformed into bamboo wall lamps, imbuing the space with an organic ambiance. Handwoven elements like rattan and grass weaving are applied to the roof, furniture, lighting fixtures, and partitions, elevating the tactile essence of the space.
The top surface of the tea room and guest rooms feature undulating rice paper hangings, evoking a layered mountainous landscape. Within the stairwell, hand-made rice paper lanterns seamlessly blend the antique allure of lanterns with modern sculptural forms. The rice paper ceiling and artisanal lamps resonate with the enduring local Confucian cultural heritage.
Recycled antique elements such as the entrance door, steps, bedside pillar bases, long tables, and decorative bamboo fans not only enrich the cultural tapestry but also embody a deep-seated reverence for nature and history.
The building gracefully unfolds along the mountain forest, meandering beside the stream, with guest rooms arranged linearly, each offering picturesque views of the stream and mountains.
The public area integrates spaces of varying scales in an interconnected manner to cater to diverse needs. The arc-roofed hall serves as the heart of the space, housing multiple functions like a bar, coffee bar, and leisure book bar, catering to social interactions. The skylight allows guests to experience the interplay of light and shadow cast by the stream and bamboo forest at different times.
The foyer area of each guest rooms integrates the wardrobes, washbasins, and bathrooms in a semi-enclosed garden style, fostering an expansive view while optimizing space efficiency.
By harnessing local natural resources and reimagining local materials and antique elements, the project has created a distinctive rural abode, offering urban denizens a sanctuary to reconnect with nature and rejuvenate their spirits.
Sounder Inn
Neospace
Bronze

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Zaiba Mian
Professor
at Humber College
I appreciate the Garden of Eyewear...
6
6
5
5
5.5

XIN LIN
Design Director
at OPPO
7
6
5
5
5.75

Agata Pilip
Senior professional brand creative retail store design
at Nike
The concept is interesting, and the...
6
5
7
5
5.75

Jonghwan Baek
Founder and Director in Chief
at WGNB
6
6
6
5
5.75

Luis F Rueda
Creative Director
at LFR_D
It is a shame the store makes no at...
2
5
4
4
3.75

Michael Long
Director
at _novospace
4
3
6
5
4.5

Michelle Wilkie
Design Director
at tp bennett
3
5
2
6
4

Paul Bishop
Owner & Founder
at Bishop Design
6
6
6
6
6

Otto Ng
Design Director
at LAAB Architects
7
6
6
6
6.25

Emma Wynn
Director
at Brinkworth
Interesting forms but I think there...
5
5
5
5
5

Paul West
Strategy Director
at Dalziel & Pow
4
4
5
5
4.5

Serhii Makhno
Founder
at Sergey Makhno Architects
5
5
4
5
4.75

Valerie Roosma
Interior Designer
at -
Appreciate the undulating wood deta...
4
5
5
5
4.75
Designer
Client
Wangyan Hotel Management Shanghai
Floor area
849 ㎡
Completion
2023
Lighting
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