Gaoshan Bookstore is a small public library project we’ve developed in recent years, located in Gaoshan Village, Wanchun Town, Wenjiang District, Chengdu City. Nestled among rural communities on the city’s outskirts and typical agricultural landscapes of the Chengdu Plain, this bookstore is part of the “Liudeng Bookstore” series in Wenjiang District.
As a high-quality community service, the “Liudeng Bookstore” initiative aims to extend reading services beyond traditional public libraries. It fosters a vibrant cultural life and cultivates a sense of community warmth and emotional connection—embodied in the sentiment, “No matter how late it is, here is my lantern.”
Situated within the landscape green belt along Tuanjiequ Road, Gaoshan Bookstore is a temporary structure designed around three cone-shaped volumes that resemble mountain peaks. These shapes define the three main areas of the library: reading, display, and social interaction.
The architectural form, inspired by towering hilltops, not only creates a striking silhouette but also allows abundant natural daylight to flood the interior. The three volumes are united by a glass ceiling, producing a transparent, seamless indoor-outdoor experience rich with a connection to the surrounding environment.
The bookstore’s lightweight walls are clad with wooden tiles crafted from local materials, blending harmoniously with the rural community and reflecting the traditional material aesthetic of the Chengdu Plain.
Cost efficiency was a key factor in this public project, leading to a straightforward and clear construction process. The library was erected using a simple wooden framework, deliberately avoiding complex structural joints that might increase expenses.
Wooden beams serve dual functions as both structural supports and spatial dividers inside. Pine plywood acts as an enclosing wall structure while also providing an elegant finish for interior walls and ceilings. The wooden tiles that cover the exterior shield the building from rain and align with the sustainable, green nature of this temporary facility.
Since its completion, Gaoshan Bookstore has quickly become a landmark along the village road. Residents from nearby rural communities have gradually embraced the small building, evolving from curious passersby to regular visitors engaged in reading and exploration.
The library now serves as a daily social hub: adults gather in small groups to enjoy the sunshine, children play freely on the surrounding grass, and on weekends, young people from the nearby city visit for leisure and entertainment.
At night, the bookstore appears like a beacon rising from the plain landscape—a luminous tower of books that warmly guides and welcomes the community.
Project Drawings
△ Model diagram
△ Model diagram
△ Model diagram
△ General layout plan
△ Plan view
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Sectional perspective
△ Structural schematic diagram
△ Exploded diagram
Project Information
Architect: MAT Super Architecture Firm
Area: 78m²
Project Year: 2023
Photographer: Existence of Architecture – Architectural Photography
Design Team: Tang Kangshuo, Zhang Miao, Liu Youpeng, Li Xitong, Lian Da, Zhang Haitao (Design Expression)
Design Period: April 2022 – October 2022
Construction Period: December 2022 – July 2023
Location: Chengdu, China
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