Nanchawan Shiwu Tribe Homestay: A Harmonious Blend of Tradition and Innovation

Reviving Ancient Architecture with Modern Design Techniques

The inspiration for this design came from the ancient village itself, with its stone houses and melodious folk songs. Zhiyong Huang sought to express the integration of nature and man through his design, creating a space that is as much a part of the landscape as it is a human dwelling.

The uniqueness of the Nanchawan Shiwu Tribe Homestay lies in its location and the use of local traditional stone building technology. The village, surrounded by half-annular stone mountains and two crossed rivers, has been home to its people for centuries. This connection to the land and tradition is reflected in the design of the homestay, which utilizes local stones, a steel frame structure, glass windows, a wooden structure, and earth bricks.

The design team, led by Huang Zhiyong, included Zheng Ruokan, Lai Han, Huang Xiaofeng, Hu Luxiang, and others who contributed to the architectural, interior, landscape, furnishings, structural, and equipment design. Their collective efforts resulted in a project area of 900 square meters that seamlessly blends traditional and modern elements.

The homestay's design is interactive, with two houses that used to belong to local brothers. The exterior part was crafted with stones, and to preserve the texture of the stone walls, the original wooden structure was replaced by a steel frame structure. Large glazed windows were set on stone walls, and the removed stones were laid as the interior side of walls. This attention to detail and respect for the original architecture is a key feature of the design.

Completed in May 2020, the Nanchawan Shiwu Tribe Homestay is more than just a building; it's a testament to the power of design to transform spaces and communities. From a backward and impoverished village, South Chawan has become a modern natural ecotourism space that promotes local economic development, all while retaining its original style and features.

The Nanchawan Shiwu Tribe Homestay's innovative design and respect for tradition have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, it was awarded Silver in the A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award, a prestigious accolade that recognizes top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs. This award is a testament to the skill, expertise, and innovation that went into the creation of the Nanchawan Shiwu Tribe Homestay.