zhongshuge hangzhou xl muse bookstore hangzhou china designboom
X+living’s zhongshuge-hangzhou bookstore in china displays a theatrical reading area
(above) at the heart of the bookshop stands the ‘zhongshuge’ hall
all images courtesy of shao feng

 

 

 

‘zhongshuge-hangzhou’ bookstore is located within the bustling commercial center of star avenue, binjiang district, in hangzhou, china. the impressive collection of reading material is displayed within a set of rooms designed by architecture studio XL-MUSE. the first space opens up onto the forest gallery displaying a series of vertical circular shelves that carry numerous texts. the ceiling uses a mirror to elongate these tree-like columns, which aim to metaphorically express the idea of knowledge, that grows and expands through literature. 

zhongshuge hangzhou xl muse bookstore hangzhou china designboom
at the heart of the bookshop stands the zhongshuge hall

 

 

 

at the heart of the bookshop stands the ‘zhongshuge’ hall – a theatrical reading area which displays a large encompassing bookshelf that circles a clear meditative space at its center. outside of the entrance follows a long corridor which holds dark and light colored wooden shelves on both sides of the walls. vertical chandeliers float from the ceiling mirror above expelling a soft ambience on the interior. the children’s pavilion acts as a learning playground, featuring a static merry-go-round, a galaxy map floor and roller-coaster book shelf. all of these elements aim to educate and inspire young kids in a fun and and playful fashion.

zhongshuge hangzhou xl muse bookstore hangzhou china designboom
the room holds a clear meditative space at its center

zhongshuge hangzhou xl muse bookstore hangzhou china designboom
vertical chandeliers float from the ceiling mirror above

zhongshuge hangzhou xl muse bookstore hangzhou china designboom

zhongshuge hangzhou xl muse bookstore hangzhou china designboom
the interior is reflected above

zhongshuge hangzhou xl muse bookstore hangzhou china designboom
the children’s pavilion

zhongshuge hangzhou xl muse bookstore hangzhou china designboom
the space contains a merry-go-round structure

zhongshuge hangzhou xl muse bookstore hangzhou china designboom
roller-coaster bookshelf

zhongshuge hangzhou xl muse bookstore hangzhou china designboom
forest gallery

zhongshuge hangzhou xl muse bookstore hangzhou china designboom
the forest gallery contains vertical circular shelves

 

zhongshuge hangzhou xl muse bookstore hangzhou china
plan of the building

 

 

 

project info

 

design director: li xiang
design team: liu huan, fan chen, zhang xiao, tong ni-na
design company: XL-MUSE
project type: bookstore
area: 1000 sqm
Location: hangzhou, china
photography: shao feng

 

 

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.

 

edited by: hollie smith | designboom