An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China

In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasising the original stone and brick structures.

In the sinuous landscape of Ninghai county, China, a cluster of six buildings has been transformed into a resort, emphasising the materials of the existing structures – stone, brick and wood – built in 1956. An addition to the original layout is the reception building, a central white volume that introduces the visitors to the landscape between the Tiantai and the Siming mountain.

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Photo Su Shengliang

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, plan of the previous layout of the site

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, site plan

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, ground floor plan

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, first floor plan

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, west elevation

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, section

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, section

An old granary transformed into a resort in the mountains of rural China In Ninghai county, Ares Partners renovated a cluster of buildings emphasizing the original stone and brick structures.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, model

The existing constructions consist of stone in the lower part, surmounted by brickwork; these two structural parts are linked together by a cement ring beam. One of the  challenges of the project resided in the enlargement of the windows in order to accommodate the new function in the old building. Indeed, these windows were characterised by a minute size and were placed at a height of 2.5 m. The cleaning of the masonry work from the thick layer of white paint in the facades allowed the original material to come back to light. The same approach has been applied to the interiors, where the false ceilings that hid the wood structures of the roof had been removed.

Ares Partners, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort, Ninghai County, Ningbo, China, 2018. Aerial view by Su Shengliang

In the reception building of Huchen Barn Resort, that replaces a structure of the 70s, Ares Partners folded the east elevation to respond to the porch of the front building, and raised the roof on the North façade to open a view on the landscape. The new volume is abstract, as concrete and bricks are painted white, and covers a pivotal position in the interplay between the elements of the cluster.

Interiors with original structure, Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort
  • Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort
  • Ninghai County, Ningbo, China
  • hospitality
  • Ares Partners
  • Helen Wang
  • Helen Wang, Cheng Hui, Colin Zhu, Hu Jieling, Mei Qin, Zhan Tengjun
  • 5,430 sqm
  • 2018