Xiaye Zhang Residence

Nestled in Xiaye Village, Zhejiang, the Xiaye Zhang Residence reinterprets rural living through a contemporary lens centered on a innovative "Four Seasons Courtyard" concept. The design transforms a constrained site by creating four distinct garden typologies—a flower garden, lawn, vegetable patch, and kare-sansui (dry landscape)—each directly accessible from different interior spaces. This strategic arrangement seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor experiences while framing composed views of the village context, temple, and distant mountains.

Architecturally, the building features a dynamic massing that responds to its rural setting. The design employs extensively spanning horizontal walls and a series of non-orthogonal, sloped facades that create ever-changing elevations when viewed from village paths. A particularly distinctive element is the intentionally exposed third-floor slab, shaped with a subtle curve to create a sense of detachment and floating. This volumetric composition successfully reduces the building's scale while maintaining visual interest from all angles.

The interior spatial organization reinforces the connection between architecture and landscape. The ground floor utilizes a pinwheel configuration of walls that shift and overlap, creating fluid transitions between rooms and courtyards without strong boundaries. The second floor represents the project's most innovative space—conceived as an internal "fifth courtyard" housing the client's home theater. Liberated from conventional planning, this level features non-parallel walls and a terrazzo floor with inlaid brass strips mimicking water ripples. Various functional areas are arranged around this central "pond" like garden pavilions, incorporating elements such as a spiral staircase resembling a stone bridge and a glass skylight that channels sunlight and rain into the interior.

Materiality progresses from stone to wood across the three stories, with specially treated grey granite, warm limestone, and green marble harmonizing with the village context while developing patina over time. The project demonstrates how sophisticated design and precise execution—including drone-assisted rock placement—can create architecture that exceeds conventional rural construction. Ultimately, the residence has become a beloved family retreat that successfully merges modern design sensibilities with the enduring appeal of courtyard living, accommodating both intimate family moments and vibrant social gatherings within its carefully crafted spaces.