Studio Avoid has revealed the design for Grotto Retreat Xiyaotou, a hostel complex in China‘s Hebei province comprising a series of cave-like pods.
The village of Xiyaotou in the Zhangjiakou prefecture contains a network of traditional cave dwellings, which provided the inspiration for the interconnected vertical pods forming the Grotto Retreat Xiyaotou.
“The design concept starts with the radical difference between the rural and urban interpersonal networks,” explains the Macau-based studio. “The native cave dwellings of the site are re-interpreted as vertical “grottos”. By flowing the bridge of connectivity in between the private “grottos”, the design attempts to realise a community in which public and private coexist.”
The hostel pods are arranged by a 4x6m grid, which is based on the length-to-width ratio of the original cave dwellings. The irregular placement and curved shape of the vertical “grottos” allow the complex to blend into its natural environment.
Each pod is 7m tall and features a large skylight that encourages residents to look upwards and focus on the vertical nature of the space. The generous skylights also allow sun rays to enter; heat is retained through the pod’s double-layered brick walls during the colder months, while well-positioned windows create a chimney effect to discharge heat in the Summer.
A wooden bridge structure raised above the ground on pine columns weaves between the pods and connects the entrances at first-floor level.
The elevated walkway provides views across the landscape and, along with the void between the accommodation pods, can be used as a space for hosting workshops, markets or exhibitions.
A wooden bridge held up by pine wood columns weaves between and connects each of the residences, whilst offering views of the surrounding landscape and aboriginal architecture of Yu County. The void among the grottos and elevated walkway has the potential to be used as workshop, market or exhibition spaces for art installations.
Grotto Retreat Xiyaotou is one of 12 winning designs to receive the 2018 FA Emerging Architect Award, a scheme created to support the redevelopment of China’s rural “hollow villages” that have been affected by migration to newer residential areas. The programme transforms the abandoned villages into hubs providing accommodation, local cuisine and activities for visitors.
