House Rooted in the Earth, KiKi ARCHi in Qunmin, China

Project: House Rooted in the Earth
Architects: KiKi ARCHi
Location: Qunmin, China
Area: 5683 sq ft (lot), 3821 sq ft (building)
Year: 2023
Photography by: Ruijing Photo Beijing

House Rooted in the Earth, KiKi ARCHi in Qunmin, China

Qunmin, Yunnan Province — a picturesque city with a comfortable climate and natural ecosystem that attracts many residents. The new two-story house by KiKi ARCHi is located in the famous Qunmin golf resort. The owner, a golf enthusiast, wanted this house to provide a place for relaxation and meet the needs of every family member while allowing maximum enjoyment of nature. After a year of design and renovation, the old single-story building became a stylish two-level vacation home situated on a hillside among green forests and cherry trees.

Earth has temperature. A house made of extruded earth is warm in winter and cool in summer due to the presence of clay. Plants rooted in warm soil yield harvests in autumn. Wine buried in an earth cellar ferments for a long time… The dependence and understanding of people with the land have accumulated much life wisdom, which also inspired KiKi ARCHi. After research and study, the architectural team proposed a bold idea: allow the house to penetrate into the earth, based on characteristics of the original foundation and slope elevation changes. Then transform the single-story building into a two-level structure without destroying the main framework. This concept surprised the owner, as it meant increasing space and more functional and visual layers.

Space transformation began with the foundation columns. To plan placement of the new basement level, the design team studied over ten visible columns including their positioning, height and stability. This new level was placed within a range from 3.6 to 2.9 meters due to the slope. The dining area, lounge and fitness space are positioned in front with a great view, while the kitchen, bathroom and storage are at the back slightly lower. Glass acts as the building's shell, letting in plenty of sunlight. Adding round steel columns solved support issues and provided structural base for the terrace extending from the upper level. Diatomite clay with water-repellent and adsorption properties spreads from outer wall to interior space, showing the beauty of hard texture along with refined micro-tones. Thus, previously muddy slope turned into a 'glass box' filled with everyday life, breathing greenery and trees.

The building structure gives the basement a free and flexible appearance, while interior design reflects an exploration of mystery and originality 'deep underground'. Naturally formed spaces in the relaxation zone due to clever floor height combinations and unique columns resemble pliable soil. Slanted side windows on the kitchen and arcs of light from a hot spring in the bathroom create a cave-like feeling. Between bright and dark transitions, cozy space presents a completely different contrast compared to the first floor.

Warm wooden area is the staircase landing leading to the first floor with visible white steel structure and delicate handrails creating a beautiful visual line. Climbing like in an 'embedded wooden box', following the direction of light to exit, that is to a small living room on the first floor. Here color temperature in space begins to change, everything becomes bright and warm. Entrance area, bar with water, lowered living room and terrace are positioned on the central axis, with three private bedrooms on either side. Local volcanic bricks spread from outer path to entrance, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior spaces. Interior window on bar wall connects landscape of front and back yards. Low fence with shelves on the staircase landing is both decorative and functional. All these impressive details make the house more interesting.

With completion of renovation, external space increased threefold. Pedestrian paths, terraces, small gardens and varied plants surround the house, creating more opportunities for enjoying nature and forming multiple entry routes. Carefully laid pebbles, slate and external wooden floors create different sensations of presence in each area thanks to materials. A specially designed drainage system will produce a small waterfall on rainy days. Plants rooted down grow higher — just like this house, it deeply embeds into the earth and nourishes a richer life with family warmth.

- Project description and images provided by Sideview

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