Xiaye Zhang Residence by Studio MOR – A Contemporary Interpretation of Rural Living in Ningbo, China

The Xiaye Zhang Residence, designed by Studio MOR, is an exceptional architectural project that redefines rural living through a contemporary, minimalist, and context-sensitive approach. Located in Xiaye Village in Zhejiang Province, this 474 m² modern residence transforms a previously congested family plot into a refined composition of architecture and landscape. With a design-conscious client and a picturesque village backdrop, the project merges sophisticated spatial planning with the tranquility of rural China.

A Modern Rural Home Rooted in Landscape Design

At the heart of the project lies the innovative “Four Seasons Courtyards” concept—an organizational principle that divides the expansive exterior into four distinct gardens, each with its own mood and function:

• Entrance Flower Garden – welcoming residents with seasonal blooms
• Lawn beside the Living Room – a seamless, green extension of the social spaces
• Service Garden & Vegetable Patch – for practical domestic activities
• Dry Landscape Courtyard – a meditative, serene space inspired by traditional Chinese gardens

These interconnected outdoor rooms create a fluid transition between indoor living and nature. Strategic framing of views toward Xiaye Temple, surrounding bamboo forests, and distant mountain ranges further integrates the residence with its scenic context.

Architectural Form That Blends Tradition and Modernity

The architectural language pays homage to the rural environment while embracing contemporary design. The structure is composed of layered volumes that gradually enhance privacy as one moves deeper into the home. Key features include:

• Four non-orthogonal sloping walls on the second floor that create dynamic perspectives from surrounding pathways
• A curved, exposed third-floor slab that adds lightness and elevates the building’s sculptural quality
• A gentle mono-pitch roof that ties the various geometries into a unified form

This interplay of volumes and angles results in a visually engaging building that stands out while remaining sensitive to the village’s character.

A Spatial Experience Designed for Discovery

Inside, the residence offers a rich spatial journey. On the ground floor, pinwheel-like extending walls soften boundaries between indoor and outdoor areas, creating a continuous promenade. The second level introduces a new interpretation of courtyard living with an internalized “fifth courtyard”, featuring:

• A dedicated home theater
• Multipurpose social zones
• A terrazzo courtyard with brass-inlaid ripples
• A central skylight that brings natural light and rain directly into the interior, turning everyday weather into an architectural experience

This thoughtful spatial layering enhances both aesthetic quality and functional livability.

Material Strategy That Elevates Comfort and Context

Material choices reinforce the residence’s connection to its site. The ground floor employs stone materials that resonate with the village’s traditional architectural language. As the floors ascend, the material palette transitions to warmer, more intimate wood finishes, reflecting an increasing degree of privacy and comfort.

This vertical gradient in materiality creates a natural progression—from public to semi-private to personal—enhancing the overall feeling of sanctuary.

A Rural Sanctuary Shaped by Modern Architectural Intelligence

The Xiaye Zhang Residence goes beyond being a rural getaway. It becomes a deeply personalized family haven where landscape, architecture, and daily life interact seamlessly. Studio MOR’s thoughtful design demonstrates how contemporary architecture can respectfully reinterpret traditional village contexts while elevating them into sophisticated, modern living environments.

All the photographs are works of ONE studio