Sanqing Moutain Villa

Nearly every passerby—whether on foot or by car—finds themselves captivated by a house that seems to have “grown” straight from the earth. This minimalist villa, built by Mr. Xu for his parents, is located on the outskirts of Shangrao, Jiangxi. Nestled against the backdrop of mountains and water, the villa is surrounded by the natural beauty of the area, with the famous Sanqing Mountain nearby.

Compared to the surrounding traditional brick houses, this villa stands out. Its light gray, stone-clad exterior walls exude a clean, sharp aesthetic, while expansive glass surfaces wrap the façade, creating the appearance of a transparent crystal box. This open, inviting design contrasts strikingly with its more conventional neighbors.

Behind the villa, Mr. Xu and his family have cultivated a garden where various fruit trees thrive. His parents tend to the trees daily, watering and weeding, and during their free time, they sit on the terrace, enjoying tea, resting their feet, and admiring the fruits of their labor, waiting patiently for next year’s harvest.

Thanks to the elevated design of the house, the elderly couple can greet neighbors passing by while sitting on the terrace, exchanging casual conversations. Occasionally, curious passersby stop to admire the house, yet the interior remains shielded from strangers' views. In line with his parents’ preference for a simple, routine lifestyle, Mr. Xu eschewed complex elements in favor of a minimalist interior design. The home’s off-white color palette enhances both practicality and safety while maximising the sense of spaciousness and transparency.

The double-height living room further expands the space vertically, allowing the scenic mountain and water views to flood into the home. Sitting inside feels like being immersed in nature, with the grandeur of the surrounding landscape providing a sense of peace and relaxation reminiscent of childhood memories of running through the wild, embracing the outdoors.

Freshly picked vegetables and fruits are brought in and prepared on the island counter of the semi-open kitchen, where the streamlined layout is designed for convenience, especially for the elderly residents.

Whether at work or in life, Mr. Xu enjoys personally experiencing different landscapes, always finding fresh inspiration in the newness of these experiences. As someone unafraid to take on challenges, he is a traveler without boundaries.

Through his work, Mr. Xu has had numerous opportunities to visit project sites all over China. Beyond work, he often carries his camera with him, exploring new places with his companions, chasing the light and experiencing the cultural differences from one place to another.

The wisdom of "what is learned on paper will always be shallow; one must experience it firsthand to truly understand" is something Mr. Xu lives by. Just as in design, traveling requires deep, personal experience. For him, even in an era of advanced tools, precise measurements, and efficient remote communication, no blueprint can ever replicate the visual and sensory impact of an on-site inspection.

As a chief designer, Mr. Xu has maintained the habit of personally visiting construction sites for years, assessing the natural conditions and spatial scales that drawings cannot fully capture.

The breathtaking beauty of sunrises and sunsets, the vastness of starry skies—these natural elements, impossible to represent with drawings or measurements, have the potential to become the most beautiful window views, even defining the identity of a project.

“It’s not just about project inspections. The entire process, from design to completion, must become the highest industry standard for the region,” said Mr. Xu, a principle he has held for 23 years in the industry.

Mr. Xu explained that every phase, from material management to construction techniques, plays a vital role. Neglecting any step could reshape a client’s perception of the brand.

When it comes to choosing suppliers, Mr. Xu has his own high standards. “Only if the suppliers do their best can they help us complement each other and achieve excellence.”

CIVRO’s meticulous attention to detail and quality control has consistently met Mr. Xu’s high standards, which is why he recommends their solutions to his clients.

For example, the turn-and-tilt windows, used in many interior spaces, are part of a sophisticated window system. Every detail has been carefully crafted and scrutinized. “Take the MED surface treatment, the injected gaskets inside the profiles, the sealing strips, and CIVRO’s European custom hardware as standard—all of these are results of their pursuit of excellence,” Mr. Xu remarked.

In Jiangxi’s winter, the frequent rain and snow bring cold and dampness, making thermal insulation vital for the elderly residents. CIVRO windows and doors, with their outstanding insulation performance, keep the chill at bay, maintaining a spring-like warmth inside even in the harshest conditions. During the hot summer months, the house faces westward, exposing it to the sun. The excellent thermal insulation design of the profiles and the Low-E glass shield the home from solar radiation, keeping it comfortably cool inside. Meanwhile, the lush greenery surrounding the property, though a gift of nature, brings with it the nuisance of insects. CIVRO’s integrated window with screen sash is the perfect solution.

In this hidden retreat, Mr. Xu and his family are able to blend seamlessly with nature, embracing the outdoors in the most comfortable way. Far from the city's hustle and bustle, in this serene place, they slow down their pace of life, rediscovering the simple joy of “picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, leisurely seeing the southern mountains.”