[Alba Eaves Lodge]

Idea projektu

Concept & Vision
Nestled in the historic Shuanglang Ancient Town along the shores of Yunnan’s Erhai Lake, Alba Eaves Lodge is conceived as a tranquil retreat that harmonizes modern leisure with the region’s profound cultural and natural heritage. The project envisions a space where visitors can immerse themselves in the serene lakeside atmosphere while experiencing the warmth of contemporary hospitality.

The design seeks to mediate between two scales: the intimate human experience of rest and the expansive natural landscape of Erhai. By drawing inspiration from the traditional Bai ethnic architecture and the site’s unique topography, the lodge becomes both a sanctuary for travelers and a respectful dialogue with its surroundings.


Context & Background
Dali is celebrated not only for its scenic beauty but also for its rich ethnic culture and improving ecological environment. Recent conservation efforts—such as the Erhai Lake ecological corridor—have restored the watershed ecosystem, ensuring clean air, stable water quality, and a flourishing natural setting. This project responds to that context by offering a place of leisure that is also environmentally conscious and culturally sensitive.

The lodge sits quietly within the ancient town fabric, respecting local scale and materiality while introducing contemporary spatial experiences. It aims to become part of the town’s ongoing story—not as a foreign object, but as a natural extension of its evolving identity.


Design Objectives
The primary goal of Alba Eaves Lodge is to create a multi-sensory retreat that:

Integrates with nature: Framing views of Erhai Lake and the surrounding mountains through careful orientation and openings.

Reflects local culture: Translating Bai architectural motifs—such as courtyards, pitched eaves, and timber detailing—into a contemporary language.

Enhances guest experience: Offering a variety of spatial experiences, from intimate tea rooms and open lounges to infinity pools and spa facilities, all designed for relaxation and contemplation.

Supports sustainability: Implicitly engaging with the region’s ecological recovery through passive design strategies and respect for the local watershed.


Program & Experience
The program is organized vertically to maximize views and create distinct zones:

Ground Floor: Public functions including lobby, lounge, restaurant, café, and tea room—inviting both guests and locals to interact.

Lower Level: Wellness amenities such as gym, spa, bathhouse, and an infinity pool that visually connects to the lake.

Upper Floors: Private guest rooms, ranging from standard twins to luxury suites, each designed to frame the landscape as a living painting.

Throughout the lodge, circulation is conceived as a promenade architecturale—a sequence of spaces that unfold gradually, revealing the lake, the sky, and the town in carefully choreographed moments.


Conclusion
Alba Eaves Lodge is more than a place to stay; it is a threshold between culture and nature, tradition and modernity, solitude and community. It offers visitors not just comfort, but a chance to reconnect—with the landscape, with local heritage, and with themselves.

Popis projektu

Alba Eaves Lodge is a boutique guesthouse project located in Shuanglang Ancient Town, Dali, Yunnan—a region renowned for its stunning Erhai Lake scenery and rich Bai ethnic culture.

The design seeks to create a tranquil retreat that harmonizes modern leisure with local heritage. Situated within the historic town fabric, the lodge respects traditional scale and materiality while introducing contemporary spatial experiences. Key objectives include: framing panoramic lake views through strategic orientation, translating traditional architectural motifs (courtyards, pitched eaves) into a contemporary language, and offering diverse guest experiences—from intimate tea rooms and open lounges to infinity pools and spa facilities.

The program is organized vertically: public functions on the ground floor (lobby, restaurant, café), wellness amenities on the lower level (gym, spa, infinity pool), and private guest rooms on upper floors. Each space is conceived as part of a promenade architecturale, revealing the landscape in carefully choreographed moments.

Responding to Dali's improving ecological environment—particularly the restored Erhai watershed—the project implicitly engages with sustainability through passive design strategies and respect for the natural context. Ultimately, Alba Eaves Lodge offers visitors not just accommodation, but a threshold between culture and nature, tradition and modernity.

Technické informace

Project Type: Boutique Guesthouse / Vacation Leisure

Location: Shuanglang Ancient Town, Dali, Yunnan, China

Status: Academic Concept Project (2025)

Site Area: Approx. 750 m²

Gross Floor Area: Approx. 3,200 m²

Building Height: 18m (5 floors: Lower Level + Ground Floor + 3 Upper Floors)

Structure: Reinforced concrete frame with local stone and timber cladding

Materials: Local stone, timber, glass, white plaster

Program:

Lower Level: Gym, spa, bathhouse, infinity pool, service bar

Ground Floor: Lobby, lounge, restaurant, outdoor restaurant, café, tea room

Upper Floors (3rd–5th): 12 guest rooms (luxury suites, sea view rooms, standard rooms)

Sustainability Features: Passive solar design, natural ventilation, local material sourcing, green roof on lower level