Five cubic volumes rendered in white stucco paint blossom from the middle of a rural flower field in China’s Henan province. This multifunctional structure, dubbed the Library in the Ice Chrysanthemum Field, was completed in 2021 but its opening was delayed due to pandemic restrictions and extreme floods.

Now, it hosts events including book readings, small-scale musical performances, ice chrysanthemum tea tastings, and agricultural workshops. It also serves as a storage place for farming tools. “It meets the diverse community needs without overwhelming the surrounding landscape,” explains Chen Xi, founding principal of Shenzhen-based practice Atelier XI.

Rather than imposing a single large building on the land, Xi divided the project into five distinct structures that resemble a village, each mirroring the silhouette of a local house with traditional sloped straight-line gables. In daylight, the building stands as a white structural skeleton, which dissolves into the darkness as night falls, emphasizing the softness of the interiors.

Inside, the series of connected spaces are characterized by curved walls crafted of locally sourced wood that imbues a warm color and texture reminiscent of the ice chrysanthemums that abound outside. The spaces, arranged to face different directions, allow for a dynamic interplay of sunlight throughout the day.

“From a distance, the building appears as a miniature community nestled within expansive flower fields,” says Xi. “As one approaches each structure, others become obscured, presenting individual entrances and operational spaces. Upon entering, one can forget about the architectural form and immerse oneself in the framed views of the surrounding flower fields.”

This article originally appeared in HD’s January 2025 issue.