Shanghai studios Ares Partners and Atelier Liu Yuyang have transformed a complex of abandoned farm houses in a Chinese valley into a boutique eco-resort called Yun Lu (The Cloud House).

The 3,000sq m (32,300sq ft) resort is located in Yangjia Village, southern China, where it sits among the jungle-topped karst mountains of the Li River valley.

The two architecture firms renovated five farm houses to make space for 23 guestrooms. To create a balance between the traditional architecture of the village and the modern concept of the hotel, the rammed earth technique was used in construction.

“We had to take a sensitive approach to the local culture, with villagers still living nearby, so we integrated the planning and landscape design with the original village structure,” said Atelier Liu Yuyang.

ARES Partners designed the room interiors, creating a contemporary living space by using both traditional materials – such as restored timber beams and bamboo – as well as steel, concrete and glass.

The two studios also worked together to create a new structure for the hotel’s restaurant and reception areas. Again, old and new styles were combined – the building is made of rough-cut stone blocks, charcoal-treated wood and terra-cotta roof tiles and features large glass doors, a steel interior frame and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Yun Lu hotel offers guests a base from which to explore the village’s dramatic surrounding landscapes. The area has many hiking and cycle trails and river cruises can be taken along the Li River.