At the start of 2020, when travel became impossible, reading emerged as a powerful escape—allowing our minds to soar across distances, transcend time, and connect with ancestors and sages. The traditional bookstore-plus-model concept struggled to fit today’s social environment, and creating trendy photo spots was never the core intent of our design. During an in-person discussion between the owner and designer, they agreed: the bookstore must return to its true essence—reading. This bookstore space is envisioned as a voyage for new explorers of knowledge, like a civilization traveling through time and space to an unfamiliar universe. It resembles a spaceship landing on an unknown planet, establishing a basecamp to discover a whole new world.
△ Courtyard exterior view © triangular prism
Functional Space Strategy
To ensure a quiet, pure reading environment, the designer consolidated all noise-generating activities—such as food preparation, dining, and socializing—on the upper floor, which is treated as a separate project called the “Ancient Star Courtyard.” The upper and lower levels connect only via a food elevator, preserving absolute silence within the bookstore. Contrary to many projects that prioritize spatial complexity, this design embraces a transparent, open space concept. Visitors can be “seen” no matter where they wander, promoting a sense of openness.
Instead of walls, numerous “objects” define the space. These create “columnar spaces” that offer places for visitors to lean on or linger without the enclosed, cave-like feeling that might restrict behavior. Within a 30-meter line of sight among several people, loud noise is almost nonexistent.
△ Spaceship Book Bar © triangular prism
△ Curved Garden © triangular prism
Drawing from the owner’s extensive experience running bookstores, we analyzed the stages of acquiring knowledge and designed corresponding spaces accordingly:
- Book Selection – Searching for knowledge through a bookshelf navigation system.
- Reading – Acquiring knowledge within the Spaceship Book Bar.
- Thinking – Digesting knowledge in the Curved Garden.
- Insight – Internalizing knowledge in the Red Meteorite area.
△ Axial side view
△ Function analysis diagram
△ Bookstore entrance © triangular prism
△ Entrance space © triangular prism
Scene Creation – Bookshelf Navigation System
This innovative approach to book classification ensures every book is easily accessible and inviting to browse, rather than serving as mere decoration. Whether arranged on bookshelves or book islands, every title is positioned for reader interaction, enhancing both the efficiency and enjoyment of discovering knowledge.
△ Bookshelf Navigation System © triangular prism
The lightboxes above the shelves feature symbols that define thematic zones. Individual bookshelves further subdivide these themes, departing from traditional discipline-based classification. Books from various genres—literature, travel, science and technology, biographies—may appear side by side under the same topic. This “if you like this, you might like that” approach encourages visitors to discover new interests.
△ Bookshelf Navigation System © triangular prism
△ View of the bookshelf navigation system from the Spaceship Book Bar © triangular prism
Scene Creation – Spaceship Book Bar
The Spaceship Book Bar is the bookstore’s sole dedicated reading area, situated along its main axis. It serves as both a monumental object and a cozy space within the larger interior. Its spaceship shape represents the spirit of exploration, while the wood grain finish symbolizes the “Adam’s Treasure Tree.” Through large portholes, visitors can admire the outside scenery.
△ Spaceship Book Bar © triangular prism
The spacecraft features passenger seating on both sides, with a service corridor in the center to attend to all readers. Seat partitions provide privacy, and each seat is equipped with a charging port and a small desk lamp. When a visitor sits down, staff quietly turn on the reading light above, offering attentive service throughout the visit.
△ Spaceship Book Bar © triangular prism
Scene Creation – Curved Garden
As explorers of an unknown universe, civilizations begin cautiously by observing from outside. This landscape design offers a contemplative space where visitors can sit quietly, reflect, and develop a deep respect for the surrounding natural environment. The interplay of the curved concrete grid and mirrored surfaces symbolizes the infinite extension of this curved space.
△ Curved Garden © triangular prism
Scene Creation – Red Meteorite
From the airplane window, one side reveals the vibrant green Earth, while the other presents a massive red meteorite that bridges time and space. This red meteorite forms a pedestrian walkway leading to the Ancient Star Courtyard upstairs. Visitors who have absorbed knowledge travel through this meteorite, experience enlightenment, and ascend to engage in conversation and exchange ideas.
△ Aircraft window © triangular prism
The unconventional alien-inspired design enriches the space with an engaging atmosphere. Hollow red steel plates with integrated lighting project dynamic light spots along the staircase. Combined with airplane windows and spaceship motifs, this design weaves a continuous interstellar narrative unique to South Mountain’s Gutenberg Xinghan Bookstore.
△ Red Meteorite © triangular prism
△ Meteorite Interior Scene © triangular prism
Conclusion
Today, when visitors queue for seats at the Spaceship Book Bar, we observe parents consciously lowering their children’s voices. This reflects a shared vision of a bookstore where quiet reading is respected, book sales are increasing positively, and feedback is overwhelmingly supportive. Beyond attracting attention, this space has truly become a beloved hub for citizens to read and learn.
△ Spatial ripples © triangular prism
△ Plan view
△ Axonometric diagram of Spaceship Book Bar unfolding
△ SEC Bar
△ Axonometric map of Red Meteorite unfolding
Project Information
Project type: Store
Location: Chongqing, China
Designer: Wutao Architecture
Area: 750 m²
Year: 2020
Photographer: Prism Image
Manufacturers: Shihaojia Art Color Coating, Xicheng Lighting, Meizhe Stone Plastic Flooring
Chief Creative Designers: Li Weitao, Li Bo, Giorgio Cheng Yusi
Design Team: Zhang Ding, Yi Siqi, Ding Mingxin, Chen Yuxian, Deng Lin
Client: Chongqing Nanzhishan Cultural Industry Development Co., Ltd
Construction: Chongqing Guoheng Building Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd
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