What is poetry? Who really knows?
Roses themselves are not poetry, but the fragrance they emit is.
The sky itself is not poetry, but the light it casts is.
Flies are not poetry, yet the shimmer on their bodies is.
The sea is not poetry, but the breath it exhales is.
I am not poetry, yet it is what allows me to see, hear, and feel.
Poetry is the language that cannot be expressed in prose.
But what is poetry? Who truly knows?
The 2040 Bookstore is more than just a bookstore; it is a second home, a spiritual sanctuary for the Guomai community.
The ceilings, floors, and latex-painted walls do not merely define spaces; they enclose the empty moments within.
Thirty spokes converge at one hub; though unseen, this emptiness is what makes the wheel useful for vehicles and tools alike, and ultimately, a room. Thus, both presence and absence hold value.
Similarly, the small houses beneath the expansive roofs are not just buildings; they are filled with laughter and life.
Books, in terms of their physical value, are not culture — it is the sound of their pages turning that brings culture to life.
The coffee bars, tables, chairs, and lighting fixtures are not what breathe life into the 2040 Bookstore. It is the aroma of morning coffee and the lively chatter over board games at night that truly animate this space.
Guomai Culture Media Co., Ltd. is a publicly listed company primarily engaged in book publishing. Led by CEO Lu Jinbo, the company has signed contracts with contemporary authors such as Han Han, Yi Zhongtian, Feng Tang, and Luo Xiang. The company’s motto is “Using Small Power to Promote Civilization.”
Project Location: Building B, West Bund Creative Park, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China
The name “2040 Bookstore” carries two meanings:
First, approximately 20.4 million copies of publications are produced annually in China. Selecting the finest, only about 2,040 books would be sold out of every ten thousand.
Second, by the year 2040, the goal is to ensure the preservation and inheritance of culture.
Owner’s Design Goals:
- Space Concept: Create a lifestyle space tailored to Guomai people, not focused on commercial operations.
- Provide a soundproof, sealed room for up to 6 people (for live streaming and reception).
- Create a space that accommodates 12 people for board games.
- Integrate bookshelves throughout the space in various forms; the books are arranged chronologically to follow a timeline.
- Include walls for hanging paintings.
- Reserve an area for a bar.
- Maintain the existing air conditioning system with local adjustments based on space divisions.
- Redesign the bookstore’s exterior.
Project Drawings
△ Model Analysis Diagram
△ Model Analysis Diagram
△ Model Analysis Diagram
△ Model Analysis Diagram
△ Model Analysis Diagram
Project Information
Location: Shanghai, China
Design Team: Shanghai Guanjie Interior Design Studio
Designers: Zhou Jun, Zhao Jiuding
Construction Team: Shanghai Bohui Decoration Design Co., Ltd.
Owner: Guomai Culture
Project Timeline: August 2022 – January 2023
Photographer: Ke Wei
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up