Yangshan Cottage,Beijing / Atelier d’More

Yangshan Cottage,Beijing / Atelier d’More
Crafted with Time, in a Mountain Nook
Yingtaogou Village in Mentougou District, Beijing, carries with its very name a whiff of wild sweetness. It is not nestled deep within remote mountains but maintains a delicate balance between proximity and seclusion—while being part of the capital, it feels far from the urban hustle; it boasts pristine natural ecology while still radiating the warmth of simple human pleasures. Just about an hour's drive from central Beijing, the journey here becomes a leisurely transition from city rhythms to the charm of rustic life.
Genesis
By chance, we encountered this unique house, situated at the highest point of the village, together with the owner. The relationship between the structure and the mountain is subtle: built against the slopes, when you stand in the courtyard and look up, the peaks appear to be "framed" within it, becoming a part of the scenery. This intimate yet dramatic interplay between architecture and nature became the starting point of the design.
Dialogue with the Mountain
"Floating" was our most immediate intuition upon first visiting the site. Perched high on the mountainside, the homeowner had allocated only the western section of the second floor for use as a homestay. To visually distinguish this area from the original structure and the first floor, we deliberately detached the exterior wall form from the original framework, making the homestay section recognizable even from a distance.

To prevent mutual disturbance between the homestay and the homeowner’s private life, we transformed the second-floor terrace into a semi-enclosed space. On the façade, we integrated the two south-facing bedrooms with the terrace, creating a cohesive architectural volume. Thus, set against the backdrop of the mountain, a "white box" that seems to hover in the air took shape. Light and independent, it resembles a soft, rectangular piece of nougat, quietly suspended amid the vast mountains.
Handmade Architecture
To enhance the relationship between the structure and the mountain, we chose to clad the building volume with stone. From a distance, the white box appears to float against the mountain backdrop; up close, one can see the carefully arranged stones, each piece meticulously positioned. Their color, proportion, and angles were all thoughtfully deliberated by the designers on-site alongside the craftsmen. Instead of using traditional masonry techniques with filled joints, the stones were dry-hung individually onto the wall. Due to the varying thickness of the stones, the grout naturally formed subtle curved transitions on the surface, blending wild charm with a touch of liveliness. The final texture evokes the feel of nougat—a delightful surprise that emerged unexpectedly during the design process.

The renovated southern facade extends outward, causing the second-floor windows to naturally "recede." This transformation adds spatial depth to what was once a flat elevation, turning each window into a frame for nature. On the eastern side, the terrace was fitted with a glass roof, converting it into a sunroom. The interior walls here continue the material language of the exterior, blurring the boundaries between inside and outside. At the southeastern corner of the building, the vertical supports were removed, creating an unobstructed viewfinder that frames the lush greenery of the mountains and the uniquely rustic, serene, and precious moments of countryside life.

Everything in the mountains carries an undertone of simplicity. Here, there are no standardized techniques—only the precipitation of folk wisdom. As we attempt to approach architecture through the lens of craftsmanship, expanding the boundaries of design, we are, in fact, using the methods of handcrafting to complete the architecture.