chinese fir and local dali wood outline the interior of terraced house by atlas studio

ATLAS STUDIO bridges tradition and modern living in Dali Village

The Well House Dali Village on the Terrace by ATLAS STUDIO is situated within a scenic rice terrace landscape in China. The plot presents a height difference of approximately three meters and is surrounded by natural bamboo forests and woodlands. Accessible only through a wooden bridge, the structure is physically distanced from the village’s houses. The design aims to integrate the agricultural landscape into modern living, particularly by bringing the rice terrace experience into the interior guestrooms.

The floor plan of the guestrooms spans three levels, descending from the entrance to the resting platform and balcony. The Chinese fir interior aligns with the main wood structure, creating functional modules within each room. Fluidity is emphasized by eliminating physical partitions, allowing for an open and light-filled interior space. The incorporation of corner windows and skylights enhances natural light penetration.

all images by Yumeng Zhu – Coppak Studio

traditional village typologies are echoed in design elements

The design team at ATLAS establishes a balanced architectural vocabulary that echoes traditional elements, drawing from granaries, rice drying racks, wooden covered bridges, and fire pits. The northwest facade mirrors the granary style with raw log boards, while the southeast facade features grain racks connected to an elevated platform. The wooden bridge prototype is utilized in the cantilevered platform on the lobby’s first floor.

The lobby, organized around an atrium space, incorporates four functional modules. A hidden staircase behind a bluestone wall leads from the first floor to the second, revealing sequential changes in the wooden structure. Various partition and light-filtering materials provide a visually continuous landscape and blur the boundaries between nature and architecture.

the northwest facade applies raw log boards, echoing the style of traditional granaries

the design brings the rice terrace experience into the interior guestrooms

ATLAS STUDIO draws from traditional village elements, weaving in design cues from granaries

accessible only through a wooden bridge, the house stands apart from the village houses

the elimination of physical partitions emphasizes spatial fluidity, creating an open and light layout

the interior, crafted from Chinese fir, aligns gracefully with the main wood structure

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furniture is physically connected with the wooden structure to complement the spatial units

Chinese fir interior aligns with the main wood structure, creating functional modules

the guestrooms span three levels, descending from the entrance to the resting platform and balcony

corner windows and skylights enhance natural light penetration

the living space enjoys views of the forest through large openings

project info:

name: The Well House Dali Village on the Terrace

architect: ATLAS STUDIO | @design_atlas

design team: Jenny Chou, Yihsuan Lin, Bruce Park, Hongcheng Yin, Xinru Liu

collaborator: Unum Studio

location: Dali Village, Guizhou, China

photography: Yumeng Zhu – Coppak Studio | @Yumeng_Zhu_coppakstudio

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom