China – Designed to help urbanites find respite and social connections away from screens, the Flowing Cloud Township Villa is a nature-centric retreat situated in Qinglongwu in China’s Zhejiang province.
Developed by architect studio More Design Office (MDO), six village houses have been renovated into a destination that celebrates both the history and culture of Qinglongwu and its setting, with angled windows that help to frame the surrounding bamboo forest and landscape. Elsewhere, the building has been designed to evolve and interact with the local weather and environment. ‘[We’ve used] materials that can be integrated with nature, bearing the influence of rain, sunlight and snow... This means that within a few years, the exterior wall will become a part of nature, blurring the boundary between architecture and nature,’ says a statement from MDO.
Alongside guest rooms, two buildings that proved difficult to renovate have been transformed into social and recreational spaces, such as the reception and bar area. Flowing Cloud will host various cultural events throughout the year, helping to immerse visitors in nature, as well as serendipitous encounters with strangers.
Strategic opportunity
Consider how MDO is using existing architecture and its proximity to nature to promote more meaningful interactions and encounters