2017/12/07      Author: HDD

Urban China will have its physical bookstore soon. As China’s only magazine focused on urban studies, Urban China started calling for design proposals for its offline bookstore among young architects and designers at HDD in September. In Novemeber, we have received nine excellent proposals and we had a evaluation meeting with a jude team made up of architects and urban studies scholars. Joined by Yang Cai, HDD general manager, Shen Yi, chief architect at HDD, Li Juan, director at Urban China Research Center, Liu Kai, RIGI Design founder, Tang Weijie, Professor of Chinese Language at Tongji University and Xiang Nan, chief architect at Bengo Studio, the judge team released the top four proposals after the meeting at Tongji Science Building, which is the office location of Urban China and also where the bookstore will be.

Let’s take a detailed look at the four proposals and comments from the judges.

No.1 The City of the Sky

What designers say:

The shape of the architecture looks a bit like a flying bird. We hope it can overlook the entire city witnessing what is happening in it. It is a space for reading but also coffee time. Coffee is something we want to highlight in our design. We have facilities for a mini café where people can sit by table and read over some good coffee. 

The space can also serve for meetings and small exhibitions. If we combine the four coffee tables together, we can get a long table for meetings. For exhibitions, we have hanging facilities on the ceiling, which can be used to hang up art works. There is also a bar table near the floor-to-ceiling window. In the bar area, people can enjoy the great city view outside over some drinks.

What judes say:

The focus and position of Urban China, the magazine, has always been urban issues. So to deliver the ethos of the magazine, the bookstore should somehow lend an “urban vibe”. The proposal did a very good job by noticing this and making the window its highlight. Indeed, the window and the view outside are what make the space special. It will be a waste if we didn’t see that.

In the online poll for the design competition, this proposal was very popular. I think people like it because it reminds them of home. Part of the design looks like a open kitchen. It is good that the space is likeable and accessible to ordinary people. But we are building a bookstore, so it might be weak in delivering that theme. We hope it can work on this aspect. SOHO might be one possible direction.

No.2 City Garden

What designers say:

We name our bookstore “City Garden” because we hope it is a place where people can embrace the nature and find something spiritual. It is also what we believe a literate and cultural magazine like Urban China wants to deliver. We use steel and wood structure for this design combined with plants to make an indoor garden. We have a lower area for reading, exhibitions and salon. For large meetings, we have a round table that can serve at least 20 people. The table is attached to the ceiling and can descend to the ground when in use.

What judges say:

Steel and wood structure is a good choice in terms of material because it is more practical and easier to implement. The image presented in the design is completed in simple and accurate language. The lower space and the descending facility together create some variety, making the space more vibrant. It will be a good space for reading, chilling and some gathering. But it might not be good for formal occasions like conferences.

No.3 Empty

What designers say:

“Empty” is the concept and also the inspiration of our design. We wish people can have an empty space for a lot of things and free time to do things they like. These are also what modern people are looking for in everyday life. An empty space doesn’t mean it is still. It can be dynamic. So we have units that can ascend or descend in the space to create different scenes catering to different functions. The design also features glass ceilings and floor where we can display books and other works. They are also part of the interior decoration.

What judges say:

It is always quite a challenge to do interior design for a small space. We probably should start with a question: how to make the design catering to all the functions users need. It is very important to have a clear idea of each function and the size of the space that function needs. This proposal presents one of the answers to this question.

No.4 R-Shelves

What designers say:

The “R” in R-Shelves refers to “rotate”. We want to created a space that is meticulously devided and “rotatable” among different functions. Together, they make a space that is holistic in function.

What judges say:

This proposal gives a very modern vibe. The form of a complex is what the western standard will find appealing. The detail of the design might not be as impressive as the other three proposals, but generally, it is the most succinct in its concept and language. Too many decoration will make a small space crowded. Simple is good because it makes people feel good.