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Bookstore: The Latest Architecture and News

MUDA-Architects Wins "The Most Beautiful Bookstore in Chengdu" Competition

With 486 applicants and 249 conceptual plans received, MUDA-Architects stood out from the 20 finalists and won the first prize in "The Most Beautiful Bookstore in Chengdu" competition. The competition was sponsored by the Chengdu Tianfu New Area Investment Group, China Southwest Architectural Design and Research Institute, and co-sponsored by Chengdu Yi Zhu Yi Shi Culture Communication Ltd.

MUDA-Architects Wins "The Most Beautiful Bookstore in Chengdu" Competition  - Films & ArchitectureMUDA-Architects Wins "The Most Beautiful Bookstore in Chengdu" Competition  - Films & ArchitectureMUDA-Architects Wins "The Most Beautiful Bookstore in Chengdu" Competition  - Films & ArchitectureMUDA-Architects Wins "The Most Beautiful Bookstore in Chengdu" Competition  - Films & ArchitectureMUDA-Architects Wins The Most Beautiful Bookstore in Chengdu Competition  - More Images+ 13

Space 4 Architecture's Proposed Bookstore in Chengdu, China Embodies Floating Water Lilies

Space 4 Architecture's Proposed Bookstore in Chengdu, China Embodies Floating Water Lilies  - Image 5 of 4
Aerial View. Image Courtesy of Space4Architecture

Space 4 Architecture's (S4A) proposal for a bookstore in Chengdu, China reflects the poetic beauty of floating lilies on water. The architects describe the project as a “permeable cultural container” that allows and encourages visitor interaction with the surrounding landscape. The design consists of a series of indoor and outdoor spaces that weave together a gentle intervention that mirrors and enhances the natural scenery it sits within.

Space 4 Architecture's Proposed Bookstore in Chengdu, China Embodies Floating Water Lilies  - Image 2 of 4Space 4 Architecture's Proposed Bookstore in Chengdu, China Embodies Floating Water Lilies  - Image 3 of 4Space 4 Architecture's Proposed Bookstore in Chengdu, China Embodies Floating Water Lilies  - Image 4 of 4Space 4 Architecture's Proposed Bookstore in Chengdu, China Embodies Floating Water Lilies  - Image 7 of 4Space 4 Architecture's Proposed Bookstore in Chengdu, China Embodies Floating Water Lilies  - More Images+ 4

Longshang Books Cafe / atelier mearc

Longshang Books Cafe / atelier mearc - Store, Facade, DoorLongshang Books Cafe / atelier mearc - Store, FacadeLongshang Books Cafe / atelier mearc - Store, Kitchen, Facade, Chair, TableLongshang Books Cafe / atelier mearc - StoreLongshang Books Cafe / atelier mearc - More Images+ 18

Xuhui, China

Xi’an Zhongshu Bookstore / Wutopia Lab

Xi’an Zhongshu Bookstore / Wutopia Lab - Store, Stairs, HandrailXi’an Zhongshu Bookstore / Wutopia Lab - StoreXi’an Zhongshu Bookstore / Wutopia Lab - StoreXi’an Zhongshu Bookstore / Wutopia Lab - Store, Arch, Facade, StairsXi’an Zhongshu Bookstore / Wutopia Lab - More Images+ 25

Xian Shi, China

Call Me MOSAIC Bookstore / TurtleHill

Call Me MOSAIC Bookstore / TurtleHill - Interior Design, FacadeCall Me MOSAIC Bookstore / TurtleHill - Interior Design, FacadeCall Me MOSAIC Bookstore / TurtleHill - Interior Design, FacadeCall Me MOSAIC Bookstore / TurtleHill - Interior DesignCall Me MOSAIC Bookstore / TurtleHill - More Images+ 25

  • Architects: TurtleHill
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  157
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017

Yanjiyou Bookstore / Karv One

Yanjiyou Bookstore  / Karv One - Store, Beam, FacadeYanjiyou Bookstore  / Karv One - Store, Beam, Facade, ColumnYanjiyou Bookstore  / Karv One - Store, Beam, Facade, TableYanjiyou Bookstore  / Karv One - Store, ColumnYanjiyou Bookstore  / Karv One - More Images+ 29

Hangzhou, China

Atelier Global Wins Competition to Design 'Book City' in Shenzhen

Atelier Global has been announced as the winners of a competition for the architectural and interior design of 'Shenzhen Book City,' a library and public gathering space located at the heart of the Long Hua arts district, becoming a part of the greater contemporary and historic fabric of art centers, public parks and urban typologies.

Atelier Global Wins Competition to Design 'Book City' in Shenzhen - Image 5 of 4Atelier Global Wins Competition to Design 'Book City' in Shenzhen - Image 1 of 4Atelier Global Wins Competition to Design 'Book City' in Shenzhen - Image 2 of 4Atelier Global Wins Competition to Design 'Book City' in Shenzhen - Image 3 of 4Atelier Global Wins Competition to Design 'Book City' in Shenzhen - More Images+ 29

Zhongshuge Bookstore / X+Living

Zhongshuge Bookstore / X+Living - Store, Stairs, HandrailZhongshuge Bookstore / X+Living - Store, Lighting, ChairZhongshuge Bookstore / X+Living - Store, FacadeZhongshuge Bookstore / X+Living - StoreZhongshuge Bookstore / X+Living - More Images+ 23

Chengdu, China
  • Interior Designers: X+Living
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  1000
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017

Zhongshuge Bookstore / Li Xiang

Zhongshuge Bookstore / Li Xiang - StoreZhongshuge Bookstore / Li Xiang - StoreZhongshuge Bookstore / Li Xiang - Store, FacadeZhongshuge Bookstore / Li Xiang - Store, BeamZhongshuge Bookstore / Li Xiang - More Images+ 22

Shanghai, China
  • Architects: Li Xiang
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  1000
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016

Yangzhou Zhongshuge / Li Xiang

Yangzhou, China
  • Architects: Li Xiang
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  1000
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016

Reedom Bookstore / Cao Pu

Reedom Bookstore / Cao Pu - Store, Chair, TableReedom Bookstore / Cao Pu - Store, Facade, Balcony, CityscapeReedom Bookstore / Cao Pu - StoreReedom Bookstore / Cao Pu - Store, Table, ChairReedom Bookstore / Cao Pu - More Images+ 21

  • Architects: Cao Pu
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  60
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016

Livraria da Vila / Isay Weinfeld

Livraria da Vila / Isay Weinfeld - Image 9 of 4
Frontal view © Leonardo Finotti

Brazilian architecture has produced interesting works in the business/retail area, often limited to just interior design. Recent works by Marcio Kogan, Marcelo Alvarango or Tao Arquitetura are good examples of a tradition that, in my personal opinion, has a peak at Mendes da Rocha’s Forma store in Sao Paulo. If you ever go to Sao Paulo to visit local architecture, don´t be afraid of your girlfriend/wife taking you to shopping, there´s lots to see there.

Leonardo Finotti shared with us an interesting project by local architect Isay Weinfeld that is up to this brazilian standard, the Libraria da Vila bookstore in Sao Paulo. An hermetic volume with a pivoting book facade contains an interesting space filled with books distributed over 3 levels as you can see on the photos: