A dream world created by hundreds of books
X-Living has done it again: the Chinese architecture studio has created another absolutely dreamlike world based on an element as fascinating, and at the same time, everyday, as books. We were amazed by the Chongqing Zhongshuge bookstore, whose design was reminiscent of an Escher painting; showed that it had not lost its pulse with Chongqing Zhongshuge, whose atmosphere had echoes of parallel reality, and continued to amaze us with Ningbo Zhongshuge, in which straight lines were the protagonists of a space that seemed to reproduce itself to infinity.
Now they just opened Dujiangyan Zhongshuge , in the thousand-year-old city of Dujiangyan, in southwestern China. "Push the glass curtain door open, the unique natural walnut color 'C' shaped shelving will be right in front of your eyes. The seemingly irregular sequence builds the intimacy of the space, and becomes a highlight in the lobby", explain its creators.
an endless space
The walk continues like this: "The unique and lively arch shape opens a new path and subtly divides the forum area. Walking under the bookshelf is like walking alongside an open-air eaves or stepping into an undulating mountain. Open a book and the atmosphere will engulf you instantly".
X-Living's inspiration for this page lover's paradise has been the natural world. "By creating a stage and using the technique of architecture, the designer brings the magnificent spirit of mountains and rivers into the interior space , presents readers with an elegant and powerful artistic landscape and also expresses their awe of nature."
For example, the children's area resembles an endless bamboo forest , evoked by the irregular green shelves. There is also room, of course, for an adorable panda hanging from them, a representative element of the Sichuan province, where the place is located. "Facing down, the colorful cushions are stacked like hills, creating an enchanting and dreamy reading atmosphere for children. The cushions can also be separated for many people to use, also providing comfort for little ones to sit on. the ground and relax", they explain from the studio.
"The book tables look like boats moored calmly in the lake", they explain from the study
In what they call the Central District of Literature, the designers once again use the mirrors on the ceiling , an architectural solution that has already become a symbol of his creations. It is a 'trick' that they carry out to "visually expand the spatial ductility and create a feeling of spaciousness". Another clever resource? Use decorative vinyl to emulate shelves full of copies in the most inaccessible areas of the bookstore. Thanks to both ideas, that magical sensation of multiplicity is accentuated.
The main wall of this area is also inspired by the surroundings of the bookstore, specifically, the magnificent dujiangyan historical dam . "With the effect of the black tiled floor, the book tables look like boats calmly moored in the lake", they continue from X-Living, whose homage to the city is not satisfied with reproducing the tangible. "The changes of the architectural structure as you walk also reflect the dynamic aesthetics of changing weather, be it rain, wind or fog. It seems that the beautiful scenery of Dujiangyan is vividly presented in space".