CLOUD OCEAN • SKY ARK

Babei in Rongjiang, Guizhou, China—hailed as the “Cloud-Top Miao Village”—sits atop the Moon Mountains, overlooking a vast sea of clouds that flows beneath it year-round. At an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters, the project occupies one of the most privileged vantage points in the village.

Breaking from conventional paradigms, the design is centered on the concept of the “Sky Ark,” envisioning a celestial, harbor-like cluster of dwellings that appears to hover above the clouds. It transcends traditional living environments, engaging in a poetic dialogue with the cloudscape across time and space, and redefining harmony between humanity and nature. The project aspires to extend the legend of Babei as the world’s first “Sky Ark in a Sea of Clouds.”

Guided by the philosophy of critical regionalism, the project respects and extends the traditional character of the Miao village. Locally sourced timber and stone are employed, preserving over six centuries of craftsmanship while integrating contemporary construction technologies to create a sustainable ecological habitat. The Sky Ark serves both as a spiritual bridge connecting people with the cloudscape and as a reimagining of everyday spaces at a celestial scale.

Its dynamic, floating form accommodates a rich sequence of experiential settings, including a social lounge, panoramic observation decks, elevated photo platforms, immersive dining areas, refined rooftop seating, and themed guest suites. Each space evokes a mythological atmosphere. The cultural heritage of the Miao people—particularly the Hundred-Birds totem—is intricately embedded across the architecture, interiors and landscape, allowing cultural identity to rise metaphorically from the clouds and extend into the sky.

Despite its poetic expression, the project remains grounded in practicality. It functions as a boutique homestay with four guest suites, a reception hall, and both indoor and outdoor dining spaces—ensuring privacy and operational efficiency while delivering a fully immersive experience above the cloudscape. The site area is 619 m², with a total floor area of 330.6 m².

Visitors are no longer mere observers of the clouds, but active participants within them—experiencing a transcendent, dreamlike realm, as if journeying through the heavens.