STUDIO QI's straybirds suji prairie hotel in mongolia evokes traditional nomadic yurts

Situated on the vast Mongolian prairie near Suji, a boutique hotel dubbed StrayBirds Suji Prairie takes shape with architecture by Chinese firm STUDIO QI. Comprising seventeen structures, including fifteen dwellings, a reception center, a restaurant, and a swimming pool, the retreat is a sequel to the studio’s previously successful StrayBirds Suji Yellow River project. The eastern end of the site is graced by a meandering river and lush forests, casting a vibrant green hue onto the facades. The light grey tapered roofs echo the silhouette of distant mountains, creating a postcard scene backdropped by vast landscapes.

STUDIO QI TAKES INFLUENCE FROM MONGOLIAN YURTS

StrayBirds Suji Prairie opens as a boutique hotel by Studio Qi in Mongolia

UNFOLDING THE GRASSLANDS

By unfolding the vast grassland into a two-dimensional plot, the team at STUDIO QI describes the yurts’ polygonal spatial form as being derived from the continuity of the site. The resulting 2.5-dimensional window and door openings create a visual and experiential relationship between the interior space and the expansive grassland, intertwining lines of sight and movement. The interior design amplifies the connection with the outdoors. Shallow window openings lead the gaze inward like the lush grassland, while door openings extend infinitely outward to the outdoor grassland. StrayBirds Suji Prairie offers three types of single unit guest rooms: pentagonal, hexagonal, and octagonal. Each unit is thoughtfully designed with specific functions, spatial arrangements, and connections to the grassland.

shallow spaces and door openings lead guests to oscillate between the indoor and outdoor spaces