Reimagining Community Through Design
In the heart of Jiashan, China, HB Architects and Nature Times Art have crafted the Dayun Landison Manor, a hotel seamlessly interconnected by a striking 360-metre-long elevated walkway. Rising over the remains of a former village, this contemporary project merges modern design with historical nods.
A similar integration of landscape and architecture can be seen in HB Architects’ Terracotta Oasis in Jiashan Village, which offers a modern retreat.

A Harmonious Blend of Forms at Dayun Landison Manor
The hotel’s architecture consists of various buildings linked by a walkway that stands 4.9 metres above the ground. The layout mirrors a village-like community, an intentional homage to the site’s past. “We fictionalised a village to continue the functional essence of ‘dwelling’,” revealed the design studios to Dezeen.

Architectural Elegance with Cultural Roots
Drawing inspiration from local housing traditions, the raised guest rooms evoke structures commonly supported by pilotis. Notably, the supporting columns are concealed, amplifying the horizontal slab’s visual prominence that spans the property. The hotel architecture deftly blends contemporary style with cultural influences.

An Immersive Guest Experience
Guests are welcomed into a central courtyard featuring a serene lake and a “water curtain” cascading from the walkway above. As they make their way up to the elevated walkway, they traverse through lush courtyards and gardens, leading them to their rooms. At one end, a large pool completes the dynamic tour.
“The building offers more than just one kind of experience,” claimed the studios. “You have to walk through it yourself to really get it.”

Colorful Influences from Nature
The earthy yellow of the upper blocks contrasts with the evocative terracotta red of the lower floors and walkways, reflecting the landscape’s natural palette. “The main colors relate to our design keywords—’earth’ or ‘nature’,” explained the architects.

Credits and Continuations
HB Architects and Nature Times Art, based in Shenzhen, lead this innovative project. Elsewhere in China, architecture firms like WATG, Wimberly Interiors, and BLUE Architecture Studio are advancing inventive hospitality designs in locations such as Wuxi and Yangzhou. The stunning photography documenting this project is by Guowei Liu.
Explore how Bjarke Ingels Group incorporates nature into architecture with garden-inspired art museum in Suzhou.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the main feature of Dayun Landison Manor?
The main feature of Dayun Landison Manor is a striking 360-metre-long elevated walkway that seamlessly connects various buildings within the hotel.
How does the Dayun Landison Manor design reflect its location’s history?
The design of Dayun Landison Manor mirrors a village-like community as an intentional homage to the site’s past. The project combines modern design with historical nods, fictionalizing a village to continue the functional essence of dwelling.
What cultural influences are visible in Dayun Landison Manor’s architecture?
The architecture of Dayun Landison Manor draws inspiration from local housing traditions, with raised guest rooms that evoke structures commonly supported by pilotis. The building deftly blends contemporary style with cultural influences.
