Sounder Inn is a Tranquil Escape in the Heart of a Heritage Landscape

Tucked beside the ancient village of Guanpei, the newly completed Sounder Inn offers a peaceful retreat from the demands of urban life. Surrounded by verdant bamboo forests, flowing streams, and majestic mountain ranges, the project creates a seamless connection between architecture, nature and culture.

Set in Yuyao, a region steeped in history and known as a cradle of talent since the Xining period of the Northern Song Dynasty, Sounder Inn reflects a profound respect for its environment and heritage.

GALLERY  

Designed as a rural sanctuary, the property embodies a poetic ethos, inviting guests to reconnect with the landscape and find respite in quiet luxury.

Local materials and antique elements were prioritised in the design, reflecting both environmental considerations and cultural reverence. Stone, bamboo and rattan have been transformed into spatial features, including a canopy of dried bamboo poles, bamboo wall sconces, woven grass partitions, and handwoven roof finishes. Decorative bamboo fans, antique doorways and salvaged pillar bases further anchor the interiors in the site’s historical narrative.

One of the Inn’s most striking design features is the layering of rice paper throughout – from undulating ceiling installations in the tea room to sculptural lanterns within the stairwell. These handcrafted elements nod to the region’s Confucian legacy while offering an atmospheric interplay of light and shadow throughout the day.

Guest rooms are arranged linearly beside the stream, offering each visitor a private view of the surrounding forest and mountains. Semi-enclosed garden-style bathrooms and wardrobes enhance the sense of immersion in nature, while the arc-roofed main hall serves as a communal hub, housing a bar, café and leisure book bar beneath a generous skylight.

By weaving local materials, heritage craftsmanship, and thoughtful planning into its foundations, Sounder Inn offers more than just accommodation – it is a place of calm, reflection and reconnection. A serene answer to the noise of city life.

Images by Bian Lin via ArchDaily

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