A private seaside residence in Qingdao balances openness and enclosure through an atrium-centred design that connects mountain and sea.
Atrium-Centred Design for a Private Coastal Retreat
Qingdao Darron Seaside Villa is an 800 sqm private residence located in a densely populated coastal neighborhood of Qingdao. Surrounded by housing yet near the shoreline, the site called for a careful balance between openness, privacy and views. CLOU Architects approached the design with a central atrium strategy that organizes three levels and a basement around a light-filled void. This spatial core visually and physically connects living spaces, enhancing natural ventilation and the indoor-outdoor relationship. The design integrates wellness and leisure amenities including a gym, pool, sauna and wine cellar to support seasonal living and sustainable comfort.
Urban Seclusion near the Sea
Located in a tightly built residential enclave along the Qingdao coastline, the site of the Darron Villa offered proximity to the sea but limited openness. The surrounding buildings restricted expansive views and privacy, prompting a design solution that is introspective yet spatially open. The villa encloses itself for privacy while introducing strategic openings to capture sea breezes and filtered views of the natural surroundings.
Atrium as Organizing Principle
The building adopts a compact square footprint, with its spatial organization driven by a large central atrium. This open void brings daylight deep into the house and acts as the visual and social heart of the home. It offers a vertical connection across all levels, from basement to rooftop, supporting both ventilation and visual permeability. A skylight above ensures natural light reaches even the lowest spaces, transforming what could be a dense volume into a bright and connected interior environment.
A Dialogue between Mountain and Sea
A key concept guiding the design is the alignment between the mountainous backdrop and the nearby sea. Openings and sightlines are choreographed to reinforce this mountain–sea axis, allowing residents to experience changing views and light conditions throughout the day.
Programmatic Layers and Wellness Focus
The villa spans four levels, including a basement dedicated to leisure and wellness. Facilities include a fitness room connected to the garden, a pool with adjacent sauna, a wine cellar, and constant-temperature storage. The main kitchen and dining area extend to an outdoor barbecue zone, supporting a lifestyle centred around family, food, and nature.
Sustainable Indoor–Outdoor Connectivity
The design promotes passive cooling and natural cross ventilation by positioning operable openings in relation to the prevailing winds. The atrium acts as a thermal chimney, drawing warm air upwards while encouraging air movement across the plan. Indoor spaces are seamlessly extended into outdoor gardens, terraces, and courtyards. Large sliding doors and continuous floor finishes help dissolve the boundary between inside and outside, creating a sense of openness and a direct connection to the surrounding landscape.
