Discarding luxurious attire, forsaking bustling urban life, Entering the vast wilderness of the Yangtze River. Awaiting a fresh start, returning to the ancestral home, Seeking the essence of rustic nostalgia.

Nestled along the 800-mile Chaohu Lake, where misty waves stretch endlessly. In the region of Lu Prefecture, where embankments contend for fields against the lake, the shores have weathered the erosion of time and water, thus earning the name "Embankment Beauty, Milled Sands."

Embracing the water essence of facing the Dongting River to the east and overlooking Chaohu Lake to the south, imbued with the pureness of streams, rice fields, and leisurely farming, the Resolute Inn is nestled in the heart of the Hefei Embankment Beauty, Milled Sands Resort. The design team, inspired by the refined elegance of the Guiguan Tianju, creates a retreat that harmonizes with the vastness of nature, realizing a contemporary aesthetic of Jianghuai rural dwellings.

Rural accommodations distinguish themselves from urban lodgings, eschewing the hustle and bustle for the tranquility, leisure, ecology, and traditional local culture found in the countryside. The core of this design endeavor lies in grasping the fusion and balance between people, architectural design, and the natural environment.

Hefei is renowned for its abundant resources and picturesque water landscapes, serving as the cradle for the cultivation and appreciation of rural life. When these two aspects converge, the moment of returning both physically and mentally unfolds, culminating in the myriad expectations of a beautiful life. Thus, the name of the inn—Zili, is derived from this profound connection to the homeland and the sentiments of nostalgic yearning.

"Returning to the Idyllic Fields"

The courtyard extends several steps, with curved eaves and vibrant, flourishing native fields, silently conveying a sense of vitality.

Golden thatched roofs bear the overflowing abundance of harvest time. Solid wood and earthen walls exude a rough texture, akin to a mother's warm hand with wrinkles, gently caressing the head, infinitely tender. Whether bathed in the clear light of day or under the sparse stars of the moonlit night, the hometown's charm is rendered by the interplay of light and shadow. With the rising and setting of the sun, traces of longing are painted on the walls. And so, running with joy, one hurries back to the rural homeland.

"Breathing Amidst the Wilderness"

Internal and external spaces breathe together, as life and the world are inherently boundless fields.

The main structure of the inn preserves the architectural charm of the local two-story dwellings. Through the reconstruction of floor levels, the overall structure is separated into semi-open indoor and outdoor spaces that interact with each other. The second-floor eaves are staggered in height, creating a natural and rhythmic skyline. The window mullions are intricately arranged, adding a sense of rhythm to the partition. The design maximally retains the local ecology of the original site, with rustic stone walls and red brick fragments covering the entire ground, creating a vivid contrast of red and white, suitable for both stillness and motion.

The staircase corners are gracefully meandering, and the design of the vertical circulation and facade enriches the outdoor landscape view, forming multiple looping pathways to create a multidimensional experience.

An artistic white wall corridor is poetically inscribed, using angular lines to gracefully contribute to the overall spatial narrative. As time progresses, sunlight filters through, and shadows are cast along with the flowing years.

The charm of the countryside and the joy of water scenes can be freely enjoyed in the semi-open space. Pausing amidst the clear breeze and bamboo shadows, breathing freely, one can revel in the endless freshness of the rural and mountainous surroundings.

"Resting in the Sanctuary of Truth"

As dusk settles and the mist of day and night envelops, the moment one steps into the lobby, time itself becomes gentle and unhurried. A pillow of water-worn stones sits quietly, and casually sketched paintings in minimalist wooden tones add depth to the space.

Semi-transparent skylights introduce more natural light, while the subdued, antique black wooden bar exudes a low-key charm. Large areas of pristine white walls echo the textured stone-brick floor, enhancing the simplicity and ecological essence, evoking a hint of tranquil beauty.

Straw and greenery overflow with a wild and natural charm that complements the outdoor environment. The seamless integration of human culture and nature provides a release and care for the soul.

Public spaces in the inn consider the separation of dynamic and static elements, as well as the convenience and privacy of use. The spacious and bright central hall, with black fabric sofas and white coffee tables, forms the core communication area. The natural color palette and cohesive textures exude simplicity, tranquility, and healing.

The use of black and white tones maximizes the space's minimalist and pure visual appeal. The furniture style reflects a more vintage and classic aesthetic, enhanced by the warm clash of carpets and hanging paintings, creating a burst of tactile warmth.

As white curtains brush the floor and sunlight floods in, the scent of nature, mountains, and soil wafts in with the breeze.

As night falls, a candle is lit, a few pages of a book are turned, and a cup of tea is savored, creating a poetic sanctuary for repose.

"Days of Pure Delight"

To act as if one is not acting, silence surpasses sound. The restaurant and tea room exude a serene and joyful atmosphere, painting a picture of leisure in the simplicity of nature. This rendering of ease and contentment, transitioning from complexity to simplicity, unveils the natural and authentic after shedding the superfluous.

Black original wooden tables and chairs carry a subtle Zen quality, harmoniously coexisting with the delightful play of light and shadow in the gentle ambiance of black and white.

The high-pitched roofs on the second floor enclose a rustic sentiment, with branches and straw gathered from the outdoors imparting a pastoral hue. The evening's nostalgia is presented in a warm, muted yellow, silently expressing the experience of local ecology through artistic design.

Water vessels, tableware, and artworks all feature simple and unadorned styles, avoiding deliberate embellishments and ostentatious luxury. The forms are simple and plain, carrying a profound meaning, integrating more local cultural sentiments.

Even in the withered branches, there is a sense of revival, waiting for the buds to blossom again.

The Wabi-Sabi style, as a form of beauty, here conveys a carefree attitude towards life. The simplicity within is better able to withstand the test of time.

If the heart remains open, beauty can be perceived everywhere.

Leave a wide window to capture the scenery, leave a white wall as a canvas for the sunset, and keep a door to the heart, leading to the homeland deep within.