Ensconced within a dense coastal forest in northern China, enveloped in the serenity of the natural landscape and merely a few hundred metres away from the sea, an old concrete building morphs into a coveted vacation destination: Resea · Chic Space. Chinese architecture studio Tao Lei (Beijing) Architecture Design Co., Ltd., or TAOA took it upon themselves to transform the original building stretching nearly 100 metres to encompass a vacation lifestyle, spatial flexibility and a pervading connection with nature—as opposed to the redundancy and isolation in the initial spaces. While the renovation breaks down the old enclosed facade to invite picturesque views into the building, the interior layout is reorganised to prioritise the relaxation that vacationers seek.

Established in 2011, an evolution of a personal architecture studio founded by Tao Lei in 2007, TAOA has realised architectural projects recognised widely across the world. Throughout the practice’s oeuvre, an approach that allows natural and social environments to spill into each other is evident. The architects blend traditional Chinese culture and modern design notions in their projects ranging from residential designs, commercial facilities, cultural centres and more. In the process, the team pays close attention to each aspect of architectural practice: planning, conceptual design, construction details and most importantly, the client's needs.

The original building in Resea, Qinhuangdao, ran along the edge of an acacia forest, with waterscapes adorning its south and east sides. The interior design, however, featured single-sided corridors and long hallway spaces. The facade design was fragmented by Tuscan-style vertical windows that blocked the surrounding landscape, closing off the building from its scenic environment. The building renovation, hence, focussed on enhancing these aspects with more visual connections between the indoors and outdoors and an interior configuration more conducive for winding down. 

The existing column grid was preserved and treated as a framework to manoeuvre around to reorganise the spatial fabric. Within the grid, the structural columns are either concealed in partition walls or strategically exposed—striking a balance between openness and structural unity. To enhance the building’s relationship with the surroundings, the Chinese architects employ three main strategies.

Firstly, the design reimagines the existing concrete frame by removing the first floor's external infill walls, unifying the interior ceiling height and extending the ceiling outward to form a cantilevered canopy. This element introduces a horizontal line across the building which segregates the solid stone mass above and the more open, transparent lower section. Below the canopy, a glazed facade offers expansive views, creating a seamless connection to the surrounding landscape. Furthermore, the renovation architecture project reconfigures the hospitality interiors by reducing floor area to establish an inner central courtyard design to interweave nature into the building. As a third strategy, new courtyard walls unify previously fragmented sections, softening the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Unlike the transformation on the ground floor, the architects abide by the original layout of the upper portion of the building that cleaves into two areas: a communal area and a private guestroom area with an open-air badminton court positioned between them. The rooftop offers residents several vantage points and spatial experiences.

A bold outdoor staircase design in the middle section provides vertical connectivity in tandem with fulfilling the purpose of a fire evacuation. Users can enjoy views that shift as they move up and down the stairs.

The facade of the hospitality architecture is finished with beige stone to express a sense of warmth during cold northern winters while also attuning to the owner’s vision. The strong walls also agree with the region’s general character. Amid the wild forest, TAOA envisions the vacation retreat as a “stone sculpture that exudes tranquillity and strength,” with the concrete architecture’s original contours intact.

The Resea · Chic Space project represents more than just a renovation; it is a careful transformation that bridges idealism with practical constraints. By challenging the building's previous rigid functionalism and inviting nature to intervene, the design team reimagines the space, offering a fresh architectural narrative that respects both heritage and innovation. The preservation and reorganisation of its internal structure not only enhances its original framework but creates a layered character that calls out to its surroundings. In the end, the building becomes a harmonious extension of the natural landscape, a testament to architecture's ability to evolve while maintaining a strong regional identity.