Mountain Retreat by Archermit: A Contemporary Sanctuary Rooted in Southern Sichuan Tradition

A Mountain Escape Immersed in Nature and Culture

Set in Hongyan Village in Xuyong County, Luzhou, Sichuan, the Mountain Retreat by Archermit sits at the foot of the majestic Danshan Mountain, surrounded by expansive tea fields and lush forest landscapes. Named after the iconic red rocks that define the region, both the village and the mountain inform the project’s material palette and spatial character.

Designed as a modern interpretation of Southern Sichuan vernacular architecture, this 693-square-meter retreat blends local craftsmanship, natural textures, and traditional forms with refined contemporary design—creating a poetic rural sanctuary rooted deeply in place.

Architectural Concept: Contemporary Vernacular in Harmony with the Landscape

Archermit draws inspiration from Sichuan folk architecture, incorporating traditional rooflines, timber structures, and textured walls, while using locally sourced red stone from Hongyan Village to anchor the building in its geological context.

The retreat’s signature element is its layered tiled roof, composed of interwoven blue and red tiles, echoing nearby village roofs patched over time. Viewed from above, the roof resembles a pair of tea leaves opening gently, symbolizing connection to the landscape. A red cantilevered viewing terrace emerges at the seam, offering sweeping views over tea plantations and mountain peaks.

Soft straw-painted walls, warm wood trusses, and stone-paved courtyards reinforce the traditional village atmosphere, while subtle contemporary details enhance comfort and spatial depth. The architecture dissolves into the terrain, creating a seamless visual transition from roof peaks to rolling tea terraces.

Spatial Strategy: Courtyard Living and Serene Transitions

The retreat unfolds through a sequence of courtyards and framed views, shaping a meditative spatial journey. Three key outdoor spaces—the front courtyard, inner courtyard, and rear courtyard—create layers of privacy and immersion in nature.

A narrow, low entry corridor leads visitors into a sheltered inner sanctuary, encouraging a shift in pace and mindset. The central courtyard forms a tranquil void framed by corridors and walls, offering a contemplative square of sky and filtered natural light.

Subtle window openings and carved apertures capture shifting mountain scenes, bamboo silhouettes, and drifting mist. Light, breeze, birdsong, and the rustling of leaves become part of the architectural experience, fostering a quiet, sensory connection to nature.

Corridors stretch like open arms from the entrance and rear court, blending interior and exterior space while extending the building’s horizontality into the forest. These circulation pathways turn movement into ritual, revealing nature’s layers step by step.

Interior Atmosphere: Minimalist Eastern Aesthetics and Natural Warmth

Inside, the retreat maintains a soft, restrained palette of warm timber, neutral plaster, and natural stone. Minimal furnishings and low, contemplative lighting evoke the serenity of a Japanese-inspired ryokan blended with Sichuan village charm.

Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors dissolve boundaries, allowing forest views, sunlight, and mountain air to flow into living spaces. Each room becomes a quiet observation chamber, tuned to the rhythms of nature.

The interior’s subtle composition—one piece of furniture, one beam of light, one framed view—embodies a philosophy of refined simplicity, where luxury lies in silence, texture, and atmosphere rather than ornament.

Hospitality Experience: Intimate Retreat Living

With only six guest rooms across three different layouts, the retreat prioritizes privacy and deep rest. Each suite features a private hot spring soaking pool, garden or forest views, and dedicated tea-drinking spaces that celebrate local culture and slow living.

Public spaces include a multipurpose hall, an independent tearoom, and a panoramic viewing terrace designed for meditation, sunset watching, and community gatherings. Whether for retreat, introspection, or tea culture immersion, guests are encouraged to reconnect with nature and self.

A New Model for Rural Cultural Hospitality

Mountain Retreat by Archermit exemplifies a new generation of rural hospitality architecture in China—one that balances traditional craft with modern comfort, cultural narrative with minimalism, and isolation with immersion.

All photographs are works of Arch-Exist, HereSpace Photography