In the countryside of China, you can often see a large area of sunny sky, and independent houses poke their heads out of the dense greenery. Doors, wooden or steel, stand firmly, as if to tell passers-by about the peace and serenity of this place. But when you approach and push the door in, you will find that there is something missing in the country dwelling—a small house common in foreign villages, which clings to the main house and protectively wraps the entrance to the home. You may wonder what kind of mystery this small room carries? In foreign rural areas, such entrance huts can be found almost everywhere, some of them are simple and exquisite, some are delicate and complex, but without exception, they all play a role that cannot be ignored.
Imagine that in the bitter cold of winter, this cottage is like a faithful guard, sheltering the family from the wind and rain, resisting the cold of the outside world and guarding the warmth of home. In the hot summer, it can effectively isolate the dust outside and ensure the cleanliness of the home. Not only that, but it also serves as an additional security barrier, which is especially important for rural families living in remote areas. Moreover, the interior of this small house is just as flexible. It can be a neat storage room for shoes and coats, a beautiful display space for decorations, family photos, or even a small seating area with a few chairs and a coffee table for family or guests to stay for a short time. To put it simply, foreigners moved the entrance to the outdoors and used it to its fullest potential. So, why is such a design not common in rural China?
Some people may say that the design of rural houses in China pays more attention to openness and transparency, and as soon as the door opens, there is a spacious living room, which welcomes every visitor warmly and directly. This design undoubtedly gives people a sense of open-mindedness and enthusiasm. However, the dust, noise, and safety hazards that come with it cannot be ignored. Imagine the difference that would be made if a small concierge was added to such a house. It doesn't isolate like a wall, but just lightly divides the indoors and outdoors. It does not affect the aesthetics or encroach on much valuable land, but adds an extra layer of convenience and tranquility to home life. As for the appearance and structure of the small gatehouse, it can be customized according to personal preferences and needs.
For example, in the picturesque countryside, the small porter made entirely of glass is not only beautiful, but its transparency allows you to enjoy the natural scenery outside at all times, and at the same time it effectively isolates the outside world. If you choose a half-brick and half-glass structure, it can not only ensure a certain degree of privacy, but also lose a sense of openness and practicality. In China, for those old houses that have been precipitated over the years, it is not difficult to add a small gatehouse in the later stage. This kind of renovation does not require large-scale renovation and does not have much impact on the original living pattern, but it can bring substantial convenience while improving the aesthetics. Of course, before implementing such a transformation, we need to carefully consider the local climate, Xi and the actual needs of individuals.
For example, in some areas, where cold and wind and sand are rare, the thermal insulation and dust insulation function of the entrance hut may not be so urgent. In some privacy-conscious families, the role of the concierge as a security barrier may be more valued. To sum up, although there are many differences in the lifestyle of rural areas in Japan and abroad, we can always draw inspiration from them to create a living environment that suits us. And this small house outside the door of a rural house in a foreign country is undoubtedly an idea worth learning from. It not only embodies the pursuit of the quality of life of the occupants, but also a life philosophy of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Perhaps, in the near future, every household in the rural areas of China will join such a small concierge to make their lives more beautiful and peaceful. You may not know it, but in my eyes, rural life is far from a quiet rural landscape, it also contains wisdom and creativity.
The objects that are commonly found in the field are no longer just tools, they represent the understanding of life and the pursuit of convenience. Today, I would like to share with you a story about the ingenuity of rural life – the secret of how to make your home both orderly and beautiful. The story begins with the troubles of a rural friend. His home is next to a rice paddy field and he has to deal with dirt all year round, but you know, dirt can be easily brought into the house, and it's not easy to keep the house clean. His warehouse is full of large farm tools, but the small tools and work clothes that he uses every day are always nowhere to be placed, and are often scattered all over the place. One day, I went to visit his house and saw a small room standing in front of the door, so I couldn't help but ask curiously. He told me with a smile that it was his latest little invention – the porter.
The idea of a concierge stemmed from his subtle observations of life, and he realized that if there was a transitional space that would reduce the amount of dust and dirt brought in into the room, while also providing a place to store tools and clothes on the fly, the cleanliness of the home would be greatly improved. His porter is not complicated, but he is flexible. The outer layer is partitioned with transparent glass, which not only retains the sense of visual transparency, but also is a beautiful decoration. In the interior of the gatehouse, he cleverly designed a miniature storage warehouse. In this way, those commonly used tools and work clothes have their own home, no longer scattered in the corners of the warehouse, neat and orderly. I noticed that his concierge is not a single functional space, it can be large or small, and in the summer, he will set up a chair in the concierge room and sit there to enjoy the coolness and tranquility of the summer.
Even on a hot summer day, windy and rainy, the porter can provide a safe place to take refuge. This small porter, although inconspicuous, played an important role in his life. I can't help but think that this kind of design is not very common in rural China. Most people may choose to build a simple covering out of plastic sheeting, which is really practical, but it always lacks some aesthetics. If we can popularize the design of glass gatehouses like my friend's, it will not only improve the visual effect, but also increase the quality of rural life. However, the truth is always simple – whether it is domestic or foreign design, a really good design should be one that satisfies both personal preferences and Xi of life. Like my friend's porter, it is a perfect blend of practicality and aesthetics, and has become an integral part of his rural life.
This story teaches us that innovation and change are happening all around us, both in the city and in the countryside. A small concierge may bring unexpected changes to your life. So, what does your ideal design look like? Will you also look for extraordinary changes in ordinary life like my friend? Let us continue to explore and try in our daily lives, and finally find those little secrets that can make life better. That's really vivid, real life, isn't it?