The Water House / Li Xiaodong Atelier

The Water House / Li Xiaodong Atelier  - WindowsThe Water House / Li Xiaodong Atelier  - Image 3 of 16The Water House / Li Xiaodong Atelier  - Door, Brick, WindowsThe Water House / Li Xiaodong Atelier  - Image 5 of 16The Water House / Li Xiaodong Atelier  - More Images+ 11

Lijiang, China

Text description provided by the architects. The water house is a private house, located at the foot of snow mountain Yulong in Lijiang. Sitting on a wide open sloping site, which has a panoramic view towards Lijiang, an ancient trading settlement whose old town is famous for its historic network of waterways and bridges. The site lies at the foot of Yulong mountain, its peaks forming a dramatic backdrop to Li’s architecture. The house synthesises traditional forms and techniques to make a contemporary building that resonates with place and history. and the surrounding landscape.

The Water House / Li Xiaodong Atelier  - Windows

Conceived as an interlocking series of contemplative, inward-looking courtyards, the house has an open yet closed courtyard space. Closed in the sense, it is “secured” and “separated” physically from the ‘outside world” by design elements such as stonewall, reflective pool and leveling; yet it is open visually towards the outside environment.

The Water House / Li Xiaodong Atelier  - Image 9 of 16

The low profile architectural language by using local material and simple “non-experimental” tectonic skill is meant to blend the “artificial” into the nature and local culture. Here, focus is given to space and atmosphere. Emphasis is on local-texture and non-decorative detailing, the idea is to make the house a background, from which, nature could be appreciated to its extreme. The cluster of simple timber and glass pavilions with tile-clad pitched roofs evokes traditional forms but is still evidently of its time. Lightweight, slatted walls delicately veil the light, and bamboo plants form a luxuriant green heart in the building’s central courtyard.

The Water House / Li Xiaodong Atelier  - Column

The cooling, calming presence of water threads through the house and low eaves frame and enclose indoor/outdoor spaces. The interior space is a minimum design, the intention of which is to leave indoor space clear and simple as much as possible, so that nature could be appreciated more from within. Li considers details are important contributors to the final results of the architecture, in this case, instead of decorative details, seamless clean details are designed to provide elegance to the overall effect of architecture.

The Water House / Li Xiaodong Atelier  - Image 14 of 16

Besides the steel structure, which was contracted to a professional team, the rest of the construction was done by local villagers, this is not simply to reduce the cost, but a clear message of regional engagement with architecture practice in the local context.

The Water House / Li Xiaodong Atelier  - Image 10 of 16

Project gallery

See allShow less
About this office
Cite: "The Water House / Li Xiaodong Atelier " 15 Apr 2011. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/128040/the-water-house-li-xiaodong-atelier> ISSN 0719-8884

The Water House / Li Xiaodong Atelier

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.