Drifting Stones by DoDesign in Chongqing frames forest cliffs and water through stone and reflection
Set deep within the mountainous terrain of Chongqing’s Nanchuan District, the Drifting Stones project by DoDesign merges architecture with landscape in a quietly poetic way.
Surrounded by verdant forests, sheer cliffs, and meandering streams, the project occupies a tranquil valley on a private estate.
Two architectural features, The Stacks and The Hut, transform this natural setting into a meditative retreat, harmonizing built form with the wild geology that inspired it.
The genesis of the Drifting Stones was not a traditional design commission but a spontaneous response to a massive granite rock discovered on-site.
Unlike other boulders in the valley, this one had a flat surface and commanding presence, appearing as though it belonged to an ancient civilization or a place beyond Earth.
Its unique characteristics became the foundation for the architectural intervention, one that honors the land by gently interacting with it rather than overtaking it.
The Stacks comprise ten stone slabs arranged as a staircase that rises with the mountain’s incline. The design begins at the stream’s edge and climbs onto the prominent boulder, before shifting sideways in a rhythmic sequence.
These stacked stones are not only functional as steps but symbolic of the enduring relationship between human intention and natural force.
Visitors who ascend these steps engage with the landscape in motion, each level revealing changing vistas of the surrounding cliffs, forest canopy, and the flowing stream below.
Beneath the uppermost slab, a reception space is subtly carved into the rock. Frameless glass walls preserve uninterrupted views, while mirrored surfaces on some structural elements reflect the surrounding environment, rendering parts of the architecture visually elusive.
This creates an experience where the presence of the building is sensed more than seen, blending perception with reflection.
The Hut, located a short walk from The Stacks, serves a practical yet thoughtfully executed purpose. Connected via a cobblestone path, this pavilion includes restroom facilities discreetly encased in mirrored walls, nearly vanishing into the forested hillside.
The centerpiece is a six-meter boulder that forms its roof, suspended above an open-air washbasin area. Light enters through a skylight, referencing nature’s slow and quiet power, like water shaping stone over time.
Construction of the Drifting Stones used a steel framework layered with a cement finish blended with local stone powder to reflect the texture of nearby cliffs.
Artisans contributed to chiseling realistic stone finishes, ensuring that even fabricated elements maintain an authentic visual language.
Modern touches, like stainless steel handles and floating glass, introduce a quiet contrast, offering balance rather than disruption.
Photography by Arch-Exist, with courtesy of DoDesign
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