Wee Studio has created a two-floor hostel on the edge of a village in China that celebrates domestic life in a rural setting.

The project is located near Yanqing, Beijing, surrounded by a beautiful mountain (Hai Tuo Shan) from the north, and a pond (Guan Ting) from the south. The site is on the northern edge of the village, distanced from the mountain across farmlands.

Developed under the concept of 'looking', the red-brick house encompasses a series of courtyards that runs between guest rooms, living rooms and a communal kitchen to celebrate domestic life in rural setting. On the one hand, the seemingly impenetrable exterior walls protect the privacy of the hostel's inhabitants, while on the other the structure's curved geometric roof terrace provides a place to gaze upon the mountain and connects the house to a broader landscape.

This project has been longlisted in the rural house category of Dezeen Awards 2022.

Architect: Wee Studio

Project: Zhan Yuan, Courtyard House for Gazing