Recently, Xiayanbei Village has become a popular outdoor destination, renowned for its high elevation and breathtaking cloud sea views. With the surge in rural tourism demand, the local government plans to improve infrastructure and diversify business offerings, aiming to boost rural development, increase villagers' income, and explore new avenues for shared prosperity.

Led by Zhu Peidong, Co-Founder and Chief Architect of line+, the integrated design team focused on architecture, interiors, and landscapes addressed the challenge of limited construction land in Xiayanbei’s enhancement project through two main approaches:

First, we revitalized rural infrastructure through differentiated designs that enhanced aesthetics and ecology without consuming land quotas (e.g., "Woven Passage to Cloudy Peaks" and "Skyl Ring"). Second, we repurposed underutilized land to create a visitor and community activity center and a camping observation platform, introducing new functions and increasing foot traffic.

With the continuous evolution of rural industries in Xiayanbei, the available land from the relocated tea factory has become the basis for enhancing public spaces.

The design redefines scale by transforming the large factory (54.5m x 48.6m x 8.33m) into a more intimate form that blends with the rural setting. This shift creates an open interface, enabling a seamless flow from the parking lot to "Twelve Tents Beyond Clouds," the viewing platforms, and the walkway, enhancing accessibility for both visitors and locals.

The unit shape is inspired by camping tents, featuring a sleek geometric design. Its sculptural forms resemble twelve varied-height "floating" ice peaks, reflecting the nearby Nineteen Peaks.

The tent units utilize modular steel structures to accommodate diverse functional spaces. Various platforms connect the units at different elevations, creating open viewing areas and flexible shaded spaces. A lightweight steel walkway links vertical circulation, forming a free-flowing, multi-dimensional exploration system.

The staggered viewing platforms near the cliff provide prime spots for sunrise views over the Nineteen Peaks and the sea of clouds, previously popular with backpackers. The design preserves these platforms as public spaces and includes a pathway for visitors to access the main cliff observation deck and scenic walkway directly.

The overlapping panels form a roof-like enclosure, with openings that act as skylights, providing light and ventilation to the courtyard and atrium. This creates versatile gray spaces for activities like outdoor commerce, community gatherings, and markets.

The tent units now include a visitor center and cultural station, along with diverse offerings like a sunset café, tea space, local dining, and boutique accommodations. This shared space fosters connections, creating a vibrant and lively marketplace. This "shared roof" naturally fosters connections among people, using social interactions as a binding force to create a vibrant and lively marketplace.

The large roof’s underside uses warm carbonized pine boards for a rustic feel, while the upper section features a metal base. It includes a gravel layer for accessible areas and modular foam planting systems for green roofs, minimizing thickness and load while evoking meadows above the clouds.

Steel frame components are prefabricated for precision and quicker assembly, reducing on-site construction time and minimizing disruption. PTFE membrane was chosen for its lightweight, transportability, and ease of installation after passing various durability tests.

The guest rooms offer stunning views of the cliff and cloud sea, featuring sloped roofs that echo the materials used in Twelve Tents Beyond Clouds. Their cascading forms harmonize with the natural tea fields along the cliff edge.

"Twelve Tents Beyond Clouds" develops along both commercial and public dimensions, transforming the closed tea factory into an open gathering space. The design shifts from enclosed to open, from enclosed to transparent, and from orderly to free, reshaping the scale, accessibility, and inclusivity of rural public spaces. This transformation accommodates diverse groups and facilitates the intersection of varied experiences.

The layered viewing platforms and walkways serve as connectors for various architectural units through multi-level social interactions, leisurely exploration, and diverse commercial activities. This enriches the usage scenarios and further enhances the public nature of the space.

"Twelve Tents Beyond Clouds" revitalizes the village with its distinct character. Beyond visual appeal, it creates spatial perceptions and memories through the interplay of modernity and nature. Its soft exterior reflects clouds and sunsets, turning environmental tensions into meaningful experiences, enriching daily life for villagers and visitors alike.

"Twelve Tents Beyond Clouds" redefines interactions among villagers, tourists, and nature. It isn't just a traditional commercial space; instead, it serves as a new destination for visitors while creating opportunities for locals to engage with the influx of guests, blending tourism with community life.

Drawings