- Interior
Specialising in travel photography, Shan Ding You Feng is driven by the philosophy of ‘poetic, romantic and artistic’, this brand strives to capture and immortalise loving memories and emotions through photography. This collaboration with the Aurora Design team has resulted in a unique space on the banks in Dali, where mountains and water come together in a harmony of nature and art.
This project, completed in 2024, is more than a photography space; it is a place that combines art exhibitions, cultural salons and creative workshops. Located in the northwest corner of Yunnan, away from city life, this space breathes the serene calm of the subtropical highland climate. Cedars and oaks surround the majestic Cangshan Mountains, while distant clouds reflect in the tranquil Erhai Lake. The name ‘Shan Ding You Feng’ is inspired by the landscape itself, where the wind between the mountains and the water marks time and keeps memories in motion. Originally designed as a hotel, the building's architecture has been completely revised by the designer to create a perfect balance between function and aesthetics. Large, slender windows connect the mountains and the sea to the interior, creating a play of light and shadow that reflects the natural beauty of the landscape. The building, with its white stone exterior walls and solid texture, almost seems to become one with nature, as if shaped by the elements. Inside, there is a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Nature flows freely through the building, creating a sense of openness and connectedness. Wooden and stone elements form the basis of the interior, inspired by local building traditions. Large windows and heights vary throughout the building, allowing light to flow freely and visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the surrounding nature.
The building seems to become one with nature, as if shaped by the elements
The materials used for the construction - stone, brick, cork and earth - reflect the pure, unspoilt character of the surrounding landscape. They blur the boundaries between the building and nature, giving the space a timeless harmony. The subdued colours and minimalist lines contribute to the rustic, romantic atmosphere of the design. The collaboration between Mu Shi Photography and Aurora Design has created a space where love and nature take centre stage. In this quiet retreat, where the air is fresh and the colours pure, romantic stories are captured, with the mountains and water as eternal witnesses of love. Shan Ding You Feng is a place where architecture meets nature, where timeless romance fills every corner, and where nature itself plays a leading role in the story of love.
Photography by Shan Ding You Feng Photography Art Space // NA Xin from INSPACE
Text by Elke Aerts