Arch-Exist

Baiyinkulun: A Volcanic Cluster Deep in the Grasslands—A Wild Luxury Journey from Inner Mongolia. Southerners can experience China‘s extreme cold here, with temperatures already hitting -20°C (-4°F) at the start of winter. A world-class new architectural site and a cluster of wild luxury hotels are about to emerge here.

Architect

2026 New Year‘s Greetings from Baiyinkulun

At the volcanic craters embracing the Baiyinkulun Grassland

WithinTheVolcano
DaoDaZhe Hotel, Xilinhot.
Completion: 2025
Opening: 2026

Architect

This set of images has a slightly different style from our usual work. While we generally don’t intentionally pursue extreme weather or intense visual impact, the futuristic feel that suits the project’s character truly relies on unique atmospheric conditions. Therefore, we seized the opportunity to shoot during the typhoon, capturing the decisive moments gifted by nature, moments that are nearly impossible to replicate. After a full day of gloomy skies and strong winds, the setting sun suddenly broke through, casting a fleeting glow on the architecture, with Guangzhou’s urban skyline as the backdrop.

Aside from the distinctive features of the architecture itself, we always strive to capture one or two unforgettable photos for each project. However, it is often quite challenging to achieve such a shot in many cases, which is part of the joy of architectural photography, every project is vastly different, offering varying degrees of creative freedom. But for this project, we( )managed to take numerous impressive photographs.

Xinyang Floating Boat Memorial · Village Center
Architect:

Ultimately, it is the complexity of the site that provided ample subject matter to work with during the shoot. Encountering such a project and site that allow us to fully leverage our skills is quite rare. Xinyang (Henan Province) retains almost all the characteristics of rural life in central China—the flat, expansive landscapes of the north, combined with the vegetation and farming methods (including water buffaloes) of the south. The lifestyle and working methods of the villagers are exceptionally well-preserved, making it a microcosm of contemporary Chinese pastoral scenery.

Outstanding photographic works rely on a unique era and environment, as well as the architect’s thoughtful utilization of the site.

Lastly, the operation of the new structure will bring more attention to the rural area and generate additional income for the villagers.