Guest house blocks are designed with strong reference to the ‘Yi ke yin’ residential format of Yunnan. Crafted in response to local climatic conditions, this vernacular format has central courtyards providing daily communication between residents, as well as high levels of natural ventilation and lighting to the surrounding rooms. Each L-shaped block is formed of two wings with guest rooms over 3 to 4 storeys, connected by a central volume with vertical circulation and a link bridge. The L-shapes frame courtyards at first floor level, partly enclosed by the existing mature trees at the open sides, and encourage a greater integration of indoor and outdoor for guests.