With its mirrored ceilings, amphitheatre seating and whimsical spaces, this visually-inspiring bookstore in China creates a series of unusual settings for readers of all ages.
The main hall in the Zhongsuhge Hangzhou bookstore features a spaceship-like amphitheatre with a mirrored ceiling.
The dark wood shelves lined with books curve around the central hall while the ceiling’s reflection gives the impression of a never-ending collection of great reads.
aerial
The Star Avenue store, in the Binjiang district of the city of Hangzhou, then leads into an area with dark wood shelves and desks that looks like a university reading room.
The 1000sqm store has been designed by a team of architects at XL-Muse, reports Sky News Real Estate’s Prue Miller.
Just past the reading desks is a stark white space called the Forest Gallery, which features circular book-lined shelves that extend from floor to ceiling.
Again the mirrored ceilings give the impression that these trees of knowledge don’t end.
To the side of the amphitheatre space is the large children’s reading room which features a pirate ship, ferris wheel and other fanciful designs to encourage young readers.
The pirate ship area is particularly impressive.
Here’s a look at the building’s floor plan.