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Following a Chinese philosophical tradition, this tranquil bookstore not only provides a space for retail, but also a place for thoughtful reading

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Words by Emily Martin
Images by Popo Vision, GD Media

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PROJECT INFO

Client
Shenzhen Friendship Book City Co., Ltd.
Interior design
PANORAMA Design Group
Completion Date
April 2022
Area
2500 sq m

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COMPLETED IN THE SPRING Reading Mi is a bookstore founded by the Yoyi Book brand in 2014. Located in the open atrium space of a shopping mall in Foshan, China, the bookstore faced the challenge of an on-site space to create a haven of calm amid the hustle and bustle. The PANORAMA Design Group design team led by Horace Pan, which designed the interior space, pushed to create an introverted, holistic environment for all who visit the store.

The facility features a Family Zone

The bookstore’s brand name ‘’ means to explore and seek. In Chinese culture, the concept of ‘hidden’ is endowed with the philosophical connotation of wisdom and life: where there is a blank and invisible place lies the sincerest existence, which hides the deepest peace. This concept formed the basis of the design for the space: step inside this magnificent space and you will find areas presented on a background of warm tones, which are defined by a series of abstract book-flipping gestures.

Providing a large space with a range of material separated by reading age categories

Visitors enter the store into the striking ‘hall of knowledge’. Here, a roof made of wooden slats hangs above like an open book in the shape of a herringbone. This double-height space serves as a starting point for customers to ‘purify their minds’ and begin a journey of contemplation among the books.

Ensuring there is something for everyone

A multifunctional 100-seat open-plan theatre extends from the entrance hall, with a white-stone stairway that shields the activities by the roof shape of a half-open book, providing a calm and relaxing space for casual reading, press conferences and group study activities.

Visitors first enter the ‘hall of knowledge’, a double-height space designed to help customers to ‘purify their minds’

The dimly lit comprehensive retail area and the symmetrical arrangement of book displays provides a tranquil shopping environment for ‘knowledge exploration’. The ceiling sculpture inspired by paper art further enhances the humanistic atmosphere of the overall space.

The cafe also exudes tranquility, providing 50 reading seats and private study rooms

Further along, and you will reach a space featuring geometric curves, designed as a calm and imaginative reading space for children and adults. Here, semi-open bookshelves are placed with thousands of age-specific picture books and themed children’s books. The central courtyard space equipped with theatre lights provides a platform for group interaction to experience storytelling and drama performances, allowing families and groups to spend some quiet time together.

Geometric shapes decorate the ceiling in the retail space, where readers can find their next book

Arriving at the cafe, where the tranquil atmosphere continues, are 50 reading seats and private study rooms under tree-like coverage. Here the journey ends with the design scheme’s focus on people and space ‘returning you to feelings’ and completing the concept of ‘’.

This metaphor-rich book haven interprets in beautiful detail several themes including literature, mindfulness and togetherness.
www.panoramahk.com