The client has opted for Courtyard No.11 among the 49 others to serve as a prototype for the entire countryside regeneration project. This specific house holds significant importance as it sits behind the sole preserved historical temple in this quaint mountain-side village in northern China. Aside from the preservation of the temple, the project brief offers ample creative freedom, allowing us to capture the essence of the site's seasonal transformations and the popular stargazing activities in the area. This poetic ambiance is mirrored in the choice of materials and interior details. Natural wood and stone, with their rugged textures, harmonize with the Chicheng Valley, imbuing the space with a sense of serenity and permanence.

In our design approach, we seamlessly blend modern living conveniences with reverence for the rustic countryside, crafting a dwelling that invites occupants to linger and immerse themselves in its surroundings. This interior design endeavour serves as a homage to the seasons and a celebration of nature. Through thoughtful color schemes, nuanced lighting, and the use of organic materials, we have instilled the space with dynamism and lyricism. Here, inhabitants can not only embrace the vibrancy and coziness of changing seasons but also deeply connect with the landscape beyond.

Architecturally, we crafted a semi-circular skylight on the roof to introduce natural light during the day. On a bright sunny day, the opening gives a playful pattern on the wall depending on the time of the day. At night, this skylight provides an excellent view for stargazing, immersing people in the dreamy starlight. For astronomy enthusiasts, this is an ideal place to observe the beauty of the night sky. What's more ingenious is that we adjusted the angle of the rotating platform in the design, creating a resonance between the roof and the mezzanine. The 45-degree rotation design injects dynamism and variation into the space, casting unique light and shadow patterns in the room, creating an artistic effect that makes the space more interacting.

Countryside regeneration is a significant topic in China currently. The three decades of rapid economic growth and profound social transformation have led many young people to migrate to cities and large towns, leaving rural villages mainly inhabited by the elderly under less modern living conditions. UNICO has already garnered social media attention and generated revenue from its Phase I regeneration of a nearby village. Now, for Phase II, where this project is situated, the aim is to revitalize these 50 plots of land with a community-focused way of life, enticing the younger generation of urban dwellers to return and embrace nature and countryside living. Our aspiration is to transform Courtyard 11 into a haven of poetic allure, where individuals can find solace and delight, and revel in the splendor of nature's bounty and the passage of time.