perforated aluminum plates clad wutopia lab’s foreign language bookstore in china

with a concept based on use of symbolism in architecture, wutopia lab has designed the ‘hubei foreign language bookstore’ in wuhan, china. the project, which was completed at the end of 2019, involved the renovation of the former hubei changjiang publishing & media group. with a variety of spaces, including libraries, galleries and reading rooms, the extensive scheme provides a welcoming place for book-lovers, all the while incorporating the notion of symbols to re-establish a relationship between the architecture and local residents. 

facade view

all images © creatAR images

when approaching the project, wutopia lab first considered how traditional chinese architecture is filled with symbols, metaphors, prophecies, fables, legends, myths and charms. within the realm of the built environment, these elements function to provide a sense of time, place and memory. with this in mind, the new bookstore intends to intertwine these ideas into the design, to create a positive and clear symbolism.

entrance on the first floor

the first metaphor appears on the exterior of the building, as the perforated aluminum plate cladding has been formed to resemble layers of mountains. the triangular peaks act as the backdrop for the trees on the street, with the aim of symbolising the new life of the hubei foreign language bookstore. the cladding is also illuminated at night, announcing the new bookstore as a beacon for book-lovers and alluding to the impressive ‘light cone’ that lies inside. 

light cone from ground to roof

with the idea of the bookstore being ‘like a lighthouse’ in the city, wutopia lab has created a huge light cone that runs from from the first floor all the way to the roof. this large aperture allows natural light to permeate all corners of the building, connecting people to the external environment. the pyramidal cone element also provides the interior architecture with a distinctive feature, one which links the different levels and spaces.

light cone

the program provides a diversity of functions over a total area of 102,322 ft2 (9506 m2), making the bookstore not only a bookstore, but also a cultural and creative hub. the building comprises one basement level and seven floors above ground. the light cone is positioned in the center and is surrounded by the core of the bookstore. from the first floor, there is an urban art living room, a 24h study room, a children’s library, a humanity reading room and silk road reading room, an art reading room and the future reading room, and the bookstore on the roof displaying rare books.

light cone within the bookstore

the rest of the program includes a creative cuisine area, cultural and creative area, a cafe, a living technology area, a fast food restaurant, a picture book museum, a talent training center, a teahouse, a miniature art gallery, and a photo gallery. effectively, the bookstore is a complex system that is constantly growing and updating to suit the needs of local residents. 

light cone within the bookstore

light cone within the bookstore

lecture hall

bookshelves in the lecture hall

24h reading room on the second floor

lecture theater

art gallery

project info:

project name: hubei foreign language bookstore

location: wuhan, hubei province, china

design firm: wutopia lab

chief architect: yu ting, min erni

project architect: lin chen

project manager: pu shengrui

design team: lv jie, wang lei, lu liyuan, zhu jianming, feng yanyan, gu yining (internship)

design consultant: topos design

structural design consultant: zhang zhun, chen xuejian

lighting consultant: zhang chenlu, cai mingjie

branding consultant: miu meng, yang jiaxin, wu linghui, zhou mutong

client: hubei changjiang publishing & media group co., ltd, hubei xinhua bookstore group co., ltd

construction: jiangxi the third construction co., ltd.

building area: 102,322 ft2 (9506 m2)

design period: november 2017 – november 2018

construction period: november 2018 – december 2019

photography: creatAR images

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.