yinjispace

INTERIOR
JG PHOENIX
PHOTOGRAPHY
Lin Canyu
WORDS
Chen xuexian
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

Mountains hold spirits in their secluded depths, while seas, boundless, embrace all rhythms. Nestled at the foot of Yan Feng Mountain, the site rests against its verdant, ink-wash slopes, with a tributary of the Han River meandering nearby, weaving a natural tapestry of "green hills and lucid waters." This project embodies our exploration into the relationship between architecture and nature: allowing the building to retain its distinct character while enabling mutual penetration and dialogue with its surroundings. The architecture lightly touches nature, with spaces emerging organically from the land’s contours. Through clear logic and construction, we articulate the spatial flow from exterior to interior, defining an order of interdependence and transformation between scenes.

Guided by this philosophy, the interior spaces unfold freely. Open areas capture drifting cloud shadows, while recessed spaces accommodate the passage of seasons, ultimately crystallizing into a spiritual dining realm for contemplating mountain hues and feasting amidst flowing sunset glow. Ancient trees soar skyward, their gnarled branches half-veiling, half-revealing the untamed delight of the wilds. An old banyan intertwines with the limbs of a parasol tree, their layered foliage weaving a lush, vaulted canopy—a living tapestry of deepest green.

The restaurant entrance, partially obscured, seems to emit a subtle glow from within, inviting guests into another realm of interwoven light and shadow. Here, all sounds fade into profound silence, as the deep, poetic mystery of an Eastern garden—"how deep, how deep?"—quietly unfolds.

Pushing the door open, a winding path unfolds underfoot, paved with weathered stones etched by time. Streams murmur on either side, their gentle ripples echoing the lingering essence of "Travelers Among Mountains and Streams." Several koi fish dart and turn, shattering the pool’s serene azure. The resulting fragments of light, instead of sinking, rise toward the surface—like an inverted galaxy gently ruffled by the wind. Here, all things possess spirit—not as mere objects to be viewed, but as participants in harmonious mutual observation.

In the courtyard, an island stone maple stands tall and clear, gardenias hold their fragrance in quiet repose, spring blossoms bow their branches with innate reserve, and delicate crape myrtles sway in gentle accord—all finding their place in this layered, symbiotic tapestry. Only the moss, in its humble softness, lulls time into the seams of stone, imbuing the entire garden with the quiet trace of life. Charred cedar wood cloaks the surfaces, its fiery imprints etched into the texture. Black aluminum and cool steel panels outline the architecture’s elegant framework. The low steel canopy bows in humility, conveying silent reverence for the mountain forest.

A path of moss leads the way into shadowed quiet, where stone forms dapple the green and scattered gravel lies like spilled ink—each element guiding the step toward a deeper, gathering silence. Within, elegance resides: dark charred cedar walls gently absorb light, paper lanterns cocoon the space in a soft, warm glow like dusk, while grass-green rubber flooring extends the courtyard’s mossy hues indoors. Blank walls are not empty spaces but allowances for light to linger; color-block paintings on the walls are like frozen constellations, glowing softly under gaze. And as you sit within, you become the most vivid warm stroke in this living painting.

The tea room rests beside the courtyard, its open front gathering the passage of all four seasons. Within, black-veined concrete meets the grain of wood, each surface holding the gentle patina of time. On the wall, eight small paintings hang—eight fragments of dawn and dusk, carefully excised and framed.

The reception area is anchored in ink-dark tones, quietly spreading a sense of profound depth. Underfoot, gravel flooring suggests a subtle, rustic appeal. Overhead, silver pendant lights descend like suspended stars, offering gentle guidance. Where the stairs meet the floor, moss nestles against time-worn stone, composing a self-contained miniature landscape. From here, warm wood paneling extends outward to become both a rhythmic punctuation in the spatial sequence and an inviting nook for guests to linger.

Pale wood ceilings and walnut stairs achieve a warm balance between cool and warm tones. Ascending the winding stairs, pristine white walls frame the sprawling mountain views outside. Woven art pieces add soft curves, while transparent glass invites streaming daylight and greenery, blurring boundaries and settling tranquility within.

Ascending to the second floor, one fully grasps the designer’s profound insight: by placing the courtyard at the very heart of the structure, woodland shadows are invited to filter through the glass and into the seated space. Here, indoors, one feels nestled in the palm of the encircling mountains, immersed in an emerald embrace—a presence that is readable, drinkable, breathable. Tea tables and dining tables converse in light and dark—a dialogue not of contrast, but of symbiosis. Beyond the casement windows, a tapestry of greenery gathers the fleeting grace of all seasons. Here, the necessity of dining and the luxury of idleness reflect each other, set within a courtyard of profound depth and a gentle haze of earthly warmth. In this confluence, one discovers the true savor of a hidden life.

Stone steps beside the courtyard lead upward, first offering a glimpse of Danfuyuan’s misty vistas, then opening onto an expansive green lawn where the banquet hall rests peacefully. Ink-black folding doors open quietly, flooding the space with daylight. The verdant hues, carried by the breeze, grace the banquet tables, while the distant river’s moist breath gently brushes sleeves. As elegant music begins, every vegetable and grain is imbued with the freshness of mountain forests and tides; every sip of wine aligns with the harmonious unity of heaven and earth. Here, the banquet becomes another form of nature—seasons gathered, all things sharing the table, each lift of the chopsticks a moment of pure joy.

Here, time is not linear but scattered into the postures and traces of all things. An ancient tree expands its rings by a centimeter, or sheds its final leaf; the courtyard blooms with its first crape myrtle, dense fog settles into the mountain’s breath; raindrops quietly fall into the courtyard of "SHAN HAI LI" while the chimney releases a soft wisp of dusk—together, they compose the ever-flowing Ink Peak Mountain.

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