From ancient times to the present, there have always been people who yearn to return to the comfortable life of the countryside. Returning to the authenticity can naturally calm down the heart and feel the ordinary beauty.
Gaoqiao Village is located in the western part of Emei Mountain Scenic Area, 40 minutes' drive from the urban area. Villagers have cultivated for generations, and have unique mountain spring water resources and fertile land. The village is famous for its rice crops. The expansion of the city and the development of tourism have injected vitality into the peaceful countryside. With respect for natural aesthetics, houses in the rice fields have been built.
Following the terrain and mountain roads, it is super usual to create a cross-season journey. The three buildings are quietly hidden among them, surrounded by green fields, and so close to the village, rice fields, and mountain springs. They are the "residential center" at the foot of the mountain, the "field canteen" in the countryside, and the "coffee shop" on the terraces. Each of the three spaces has different functions, but has the same spiritual core. It's all about the sharing of life, the awareness of natural beauty, and the delivery of happiness.
The sojourn center is like a "country living room", accommodating visitors from far away. The materials and furniture used in the space are taken from the earth in tones, which are simple and unpretentious. Suddenly, the wrinkled heart of the urbanite was soothed by the soothing atmosphere here, and the wind and dust of the journey were wiped away, and the mood was relaxed. The journey begins here.
After walking along the trail to the northwest for more than ten minutes, the grape field came into view and it was not far from the "field cafeteria". The drizzle falling down the country roads made the rice fields green and the roof tiles bright and refreshing. We passed by fish ponds, wooden bridges, terraces, fruit trees, and simple huts. The canteen is in front of the layers of rice fields.
The canteen is built on a residential foundation. The extremely short construction period and the need to achieve the effect of "repairing the old as the old" poses a challenge to the super usual. The choice of space materials and the local woodworking craftsmanship have become the entry point for space creation.
When I arrived, the morning mist had cleared, and the houses surrounded by rice fields, tea gardens and mountains were clarified with blue tiles and white walls. The rice fields by the path made the steps lighter and everything was so ordinary and quiet. Without much words, I smelled the rice. Fragrant, tea, listening to the sound of the wind passing through the forest, insects screaming, here seems to be a time and space gap in the ordinary life of urbanites, the busyness disappears with the fog, and the heart is completely opened.
The whole house, from the exterior wall to the indoor table and chairs, does not have too many expressions. The new and old materials and furniture are completely "annihilated" in the whole. Through the windows, they are completely connected with the natural landscape of the field, making floral art. The branches and leaves and flowers are taken from the roadside of the fields along the way. Savor it carefully, simple but strong.
In the afternoon, I read, taste tea, and chat indoors, while my mind seems to be walking freely among rice fields and woodlands.
The concepts of “combination of new and old” and “appropriate construction method” were applied to space design and material selection. During the visits in the early stage of the project, we usually noticed that there are many residential houses that are being renovated or demolished in the area. The old houses are mostly made of wood. When these woods come to the timber market, they may be "saved" back by the old wood used as firewood.
Time and traces of use make these old woods look moist and simple. After simple grinding and polishing, they can be used as plates in spaces or as furniture making materials. Communication with local wood craftsmen requires manuscripts and on-site "signatures". To be effective. The daily design drawings are no longer effective. After the communication mixed with dialects and the rough "drawings" drawn directly on the wooden boards, the furniture is presented completely in accordance with the shape and texture of the inner thoughts.
It was winter when I visited again. The rice has been harvested. After the rice stalks are dried, they are spread on the fields, and after they are returned to the farmland, they are converted into organic matter and nutrients. The energy of the land and crops changes with the seasons, bringing different field scenery.
In winter, the mountains are always covered with fog, and the sunrise time is much later than in summer. When they arrived, the sky was slightly bright, and the villagers had begun to work.
The base of the "coffee shop" is located on a slope and scattered with large and small rocks. The overall building conforms to the terrain and nature. The houses watch each other, and the original topography, vegetation, and arable land stones are all preserved without change.
In addition to the cafe, here is also an observation deck. To the west, you can see Mount Emei, and to the east, you can have a panoramic view of the entire field. The surrounding landscape is so beautiful, the design should be simple, the materials used in the space are the same as the canteen, old wood is recycled, plain rammed earth walls, and ceiling bamboo woven materials. Except for the required logistics space, the outer wall is completely opened without boundaries.
The building is elevated, and the ground becomes the "fifth facade" of the interior space. The floor of the sunken sofa area is also transparent, like the open exterior wall, under the glass floor, the stream flows slowly. At noon, the mountain was still foggy, and the surrounding area became white. I waited sincerely, but the fog didn't feel half-dispersed, and the sky slowly dimmed.
I came here with the expectation of the view. I spent a day indoors because of the mountain fog, but I saw a special "fog scene". The weather was getting colder in the evening. I lit the fire in the house and looked at the fire, and I could be in a daze. For a long time, Ren Tian wasted time.
Returning to the true natural environment can calm down the heart and feel the ordinary beauty. The ordinary true meaning may be hidden in the seemingly simple life.
