ROOM WITHIN "ROOM"

Tongji University, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shanghai

Project idea

This project requires students to rethink architecture in the natural condition. Based on observation and experience, room with “room” is expected to explore through the concept of territory. The design consists of six small guest rooms, two large guest rooms, two free-use guest rooms, a restaurant, a kitchen, a public living area, a 240-square-meter customizable space, and other auxiliary functions.

Project description

This design is a mountain-based project, primarily focused on designing a guesthouse that establishes a relationship with the mountain’s form, blending seamlessly with the terrain and surrounding environment while serving the public. Additionally, the design process aims to incorporate the concept of a “house within a house” and create a scene that evokes the feeling of a “temporary home.”

The site is located in Yangjiatang Village, Songyang County, positioned at the village entrance and composed of two terraces. The northern terrace is relatively spacious, while the southern terrace transitions from open to enclosed, forming a triangular shape. There are two main roads surrounding the site: one extends along the southern terrace toward a landmark called the "Couple Tree," while the other extends from the northern terrace into the village. A secondary road and a steep slope divide the northern and southern terraces, with the secondary road also serving as a connection between the Couple Tree and the village interior. Near this road, there is a village committee building, which acts as a key gathering point. Given this layout, the site functions as both an entrance to the village and a hub for foot traffic. The site is bordered by a forested mountain slope to the east, the Couple Tree to the south, the village to the west, and vast terraced fields to the north.

The guest rooms are arranged based on the surrounding landscape: four small guest rooms and two free-use rooms face the terraced fields, two small guest rooms face the mountain slope, and two large guest rooms face the village. Each guest room provides a unique spatial experience to evoke the feeling of a “temporary home,” including features such as balcony rooms, cave-style rooms, sunbathing rooms, and shared balcony rooms.

In response to the Couple Tree, the design incorporates strategic setbacks to allow the tree to remain in view as people move through the space. The restaurant’s rooftop features a directional roof design that emphasizes the presence of the tree and provides a guiding visual cue. Inside the restaurant, the continuous elevation changes and a terminal skylight further highlight the tree, leading people gradually toward it and integrating its presence into the indoor experience.

The customizable function of the design is a cafe. Since the site serves as the entrance to the village, it requires a functional space that provides services and enhances engagement. A cafe not only fulfills this role but also helps activate the rear part of the site, offering a welcoming place for visitors to pause and gather.

Technical information

This design uses rammed earth as the primary building material, combining traditional and modern construction techniques. The process begins with selecting an appropriate soil mix (approximately 30% clay, 50% sand, and 20% silt) and adding water and stabilizers like lime or cement to enhance durability. Wooden or metal formwork is then set up to shape the walls, and the soil mixture is compacted in layers of about 10–15 cm until the desired height is reached. After curing for several weeks, the walls achieve their full strength, offering excellent thermal insulation, sustainability, and a natural aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the mountainous environment.