Qingyi Lodge: Rethinking the Relationship Between Building, Nature, and Community

Project Site and Natural Context

The project is located in Xianjing Village, Baita Town, Xianju County, Zhejiang Province. The site offers a direct view of Fanzeng Peak to the southwest, providing a strong visual connection to the surrounding mountainous landscape.

This natural extension of the Shenxianju Mountains forms the primary backdrop that guided the concept of repurposing the village and defining its future function.

Planning Vision for Rural Transformation

Within this framework, the town government adopted an approach aimed at redefining the village’s identity by transforming it into an environment dedicated to painting and design arts.

The objective extends beyond mere urban renewal; it seeks to create a sustainable cultural activity that revitalizes the village and enhances its regional presence.

Repurposing the Abandoned School

As part of this vision, the abandoned primary school was selected as the starting point of the project. The idea was to rehabilitate the building to accommodate art students and young artists, providing them with a space to live and work in an inspiring natural environment.

The project was named Qingyi Lodge, serving as a functional element supporting the village’s new cultural orientation.

Architectural Preservation and Contemporary Renewal

Architecturally, the original school building consisted of two floors with a brick and concrete structure, constructed during the 1970s and 1980s.

The project followed the principle of preserving the building’s overall form while introducing carefully considered interventions to give it a contemporary character without losing its original identity, balancing architectural memory with the requirements of its new use.

Maximizing the Visual Connection with Nature

Considering the building as a residence for students and young artists, there was a need to maximize the benefits of the surrounding natural features. The main challenge was how to orient the interior spaces to take full advantage of the view of Fanzeng Peak, the most prominent visual element on the site.

Reshaping the Roof as a Viewing Platform

In response to this approach, the damaged wooden roof was removed, and the roof was repurposed by creating an open viewing platform carefully oriented towards the mountain peak. This intervention was not merely aesthetic; it added a functional dimension that enhances the living experience and interaction with the natural landscape.

Converting Classrooms into Residential Units

Inside, the original classrooms were transformed into residential units, while preserving the partition walls between windows as part of the building’s original structure.

In contrast, the old doors and windows were replaced with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, allowing more natural light and strengthening the visual connection between the interior and exterior.

Organizing Circulation and Entrances

In terms of circulation, a new corridor with a steel structure was constructed on the northern side of the building, forming the main entrance to the residential units. Meanwhile, the original southern corridor was repurposed into an open terrace dedicated to relaxation and painting activities, contributing to the functional separation between entry paths and creative activity spaces.

Painting Terraces and Views of Fanzeng Peak

The painting terraces were oriented directly towards Fanzeng Peak, with facade openings designed to allow artists to enjoy the surrounding natural scenery.

The left section of the terrace was designated as a dedicated painting area, featuring overhead light openings that provide stable natural illumination, ensuring suitable working conditions throughout different times of day and varying weather conditions.

Private Courtyards and Ground-Floor Painting Units

On the ground floor, each residential unit includes a private courtyard dedicated to painting, enhancing direct engagement with nature and offering flexible space for creative activities.

Architectural Challenges and Solutions

Since the original building was constructed of brick and concrete, this structure imposed limitations on floor heights and the width of interior spaces.

In response to these constraints, a multipurpose hall was designed on the southeastern side of the building, providing a space for interaction between teachers and students, as well as the possibility of hosting small, informal art exhibitions. This adds a social and cultural dimension to the educational and artistic environment.

Architectural Design of the Playground and Surrounding Spaces

A small playground was located on the southern side of the old school, separated from the village by a perimeter wall. Along this wall, a series of metal roofs were arranged in a gentle, flowing rhythm, featuring subtle curves inspired by the shapes of traditional village houses.

These roofs serve a dual purpose: they screen undesirable views, such as drying laundry and scattered items at house entrances, while visually framing activities under the persimmon tree, enhancing the relationship between the building and the surrounding community.

Improving Visibility and Pathways Within the Village

While walking along the village path, the public restaurant and residents’ gathering square can be observed.

Due to the proximity of the school’s perimeter wall to the road, visibility at the intersection was limited, rendering the square partially hidden from the village entrance.

Design Solutions to Enhance Spatial Interaction

In response to this challenge, part of the wall was removed and spaces were reorganized through the design of walls of varying heights beneath a curved roof. This created a dual-level pathway system integrating internal and external circulation. Additionally, a multipurpose hall oriented to the east was established to enhance interaction between residents and village visitors, fostering an integrated environment that connects educational, artistic, and social activities.

Social Spaces and Shared Areas

The space between the external corridor and the gable walls of the opposite houses was utilized as a small social area, allowing village residents to sit, rest, converse, and enjoy sunlight.

This space serves as a natural extension of the village square toward the entrance, enhancing the sense of connection between public buildings and the rural context.

Internal Corridor and Enhancing Visual Connectivity

The internal corridor functions as a courtyard for Qingyi Lodge, while maintaining visual connections with the village’s public spaces.

This arrangement strengthens the reciprocal relationship between the building and its surrounding urban context, providing a seamless experience that integrates residential areas, artistic activities, and village social life.

Public Spaces Under the Curved Roofs

Beneath the lightweight steel curved roofs and between walls of varying heights, the design provides seating areas that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Thick wooden planks are placed atop low walls constructed from stone rubble, while old stone slabs collected from around the village are laid out, with ferns and moss naturally growing between them, imparting an organic character to the space. This approach demonstrates careful attention to design and material choice.

Social Interaction Between Residents and Visitors

In this area, the elderly gather to enjoy sunlight, while women use the space to converse during breaks. Tourists and art students, whether local or newcomers, also benefit from this area for meeting and interaction, fostering cultural and social exchange within the village.

Connecting the Corridor to the Square

By ascending the staircase running along the corridor, visitors are gradually guided toward the village square and deeper into the old village fabric. This arrangement creates a continuous experience between internal and external pathways and emphasizes the integration of public spaces with the surrounding urban context.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

Although Qingyi Lodge repurposes the old school building innovatively by integrating residential and artistic spaces with the surrounding nature, the architectural challenges imposed by the original brick-and-concrete structure remain evident. Preserving the original walls and the limited floor heights restricts the freedom of interior design, which may constrain certain artistic activities that require larger spaces or more diverse natural lighting.

While the private courtyards and terrace units provide visual connectivity with the natural environment, they rely heavily on openness to the exterior view, which may limit privacy or practical use during adverse weather conditions. The new corridors and walls of varying heights offer visual and social gradation, yet they raise questions about the clarity of circulation, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with the site.

On the other hand, this project can serve as an experimental model to understand how traditional buildings can be rehabilitated within small villages, with a focus on linking artistic, social, and natural contexts. The existing reservations indicate the need for deeper study to expand internal functions, improve light and ventilation control, and ensure year-round usability, making the project more effective as a sustainable educational and cultural tool.