When I had come for a site visit before the design, the 270-degree ocean view room and the Pigeon Island on the horizon reminded me of a verse from Cao Cao’s poem, The Sea. “I come to see the boundless ocean, from Stony Hill on the eastern shore. Water rolls in rhythmic motion, islands stand amid its roar.” It was fitted to describe the gorgeous scenery I saw with my eyes. In the poem, the word “临”, meaning “come to”, vividly embodies the surging state of being In the presence of such a splendid scene. And after discussions with the owner of the homestay, we decided to name the homestay with the word “临” in hopes that, rather than simply spending the nights in a homestay, the guests who stay here would be physically and spiritually present to enjoy their life, enjoy their time, and enjoy the beauty of all things in life.

The current layout is different from that of the original, regarding the nearly 1,000m² space with a nearly 4m height as a shell in which the layout was reconstructed and rebuilt. The layout made full use of the extraordinary natural environment around the architecture, and paid attention to the connection between nature and the rooms. The curved corridor, connecting the mountain and the sea, has rooms arranged at either side of it, and I felt like I was walking in the street even if I was in my own room. The three roof pieces over the reception area are enclosed around a skylight, allowing the sunshine and moon ray to spill into the area at different times of the day. Tea would be served in the public area and the rooms, defining the mood and atmosphere of the space. It also provides a pure land for the guests to appreciate the tea, and the serenity and aesthetic of the place in peace.

IAI Best Interior Award

Winners：Fan Qitong

China