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Flowing Cloud Township Villa: A Rural Retreat Celebrating Local Culture

More Design Office is proud to present the Flowing Cloud Township Villa, a rural retreat located in Qinglongwu, Tonglu County, Hangzhou. Comprising four ancestral houses of different ages and two new buildings, this project celebrates local culture and tradition through the sensitive renovation of old structures, using local techniques, materials, and craftsmen. The retreat offers visitors the opportunity to experience an environment in touch with nature, allowing them to disconnect from their busy urban lives and share in the rich cultural heritage of the local community.

The existing structures, including rammed earth walls, historical windows, and doors, have been retained and refurbished, with new elements treated as modern insertions to clearly showcase the relationship between the old and the new.

One of the unique features of the villa is the restoration and lifting of dilapidated roofs to create more spacious ceiling heights, along with the addition of clerestory windows to allow diffused light to penetrate the space. New metal frame windows have been strategically added to brighten the interiors and frame the outside landscape like paintings for guests to enjoy from inside. Additionally, two new buildings have been created on the foundations of a collapsed structure to establish a new dialogue with the countryside and nature.

The villa, covering an area of 1300 square meters, is a testament to the technical prowess of local crafts and culture. The project, which began in June 2017 and was completed in June 2021, has been recognized with the prestigious Silver A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category in 2023.

More Design Office hopes that the Flowing Cloud Township Villa will serve as a model for other villages, showcasing the possibilities of sympathetic renovation that respects the old while modernizing the village in a respectful manner. The design process involved balancing the preservation of historical elements with the requirements of modern use, resulting in what MDO calls 'sensitive renovation'.

Flowing Cloud Township Villa is a true testament to the harmonious integration of architecture with nature, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience that is a departure from traditional luxury hotels. It represents a commitment to preserving local traditions and passing them on to future generations, while also providing new employment opportunities for the local community.

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