Located in a secluded valley in Nanchuan, Chongqing, Drifting Stones nestles among evergreen forests, cliffs, streams, and scattered boulders. The project comprises a stone staircase and a pavilion, offering immersive encounters with nature. It began with the serendipitous discovery of a flat-topped granite boulder—mysterious and monumental—which became the heart of the design. The stone steps, called The Stacks, consist of ten stacked slabs forming a path from the stream to a panoramic lookout. Beneath the cantilevered steps, a glass-enclosed reception space merges with the landscape. Nearby, The Hut serves as a pavilion and restroom, its mirrored walls blending into the forest. A suspended boulder forms the roof, with a skylight referencing the idea that “dripping water wears away stone.” Constructed with steel frames and cement mixed with local stone powder, the structures were hand-chiseled to echo nearby cliffs. Stone, mirror, and glass create a poetic dialogue between nature and architecture. Modest in scale, Drifting Stones redefines its environment through stillness, balance, and quiet presence.