‘Zhongshuge-Hangzhou’ bookstore is located within the bustling commercial center of Star Avenue, Binjiang district, in Hangzhou, China. the impressive collection of reading material is displayed within a set of rooms designed by architecture studio XL-MUSE. The first space opens up onto the forest gallery displaying a series of vertical circular shelves that carry numerous texts. The ceiling uses a mirror to elongate these tree-like columns, which aim to metaphorically express the idea of knowledge, that grows and expands through literature.

At the heart of the bookshop stands the ‘Zhongshuge’ hall – a theatrical reading area which displays a large encompassing bookshelf that circles a clear meditative space at its center. Outside of the entrance follows a long corridor which holds dark and light colored wooden shelves on both sides of the walls. Vertical chandeliers float from the ceiling mirror above expelling a soft ambience on the interior. The children’s pavilion acts as a learning playground, featuring a static merry-go-round, a galaxy map floor and roller-coaster book shelf. All of these elements aim to educate and inspire young kids in a fun and and playful fashion.

http://www.designboom.com/architecture/zhongsuhge-hangzhou-xl-muse-bookstore-05-19-2016/