BETWEEN CULTURE AND HISTORY, THIS CONCEPT TRANSPORTS US
CULTURAL RETAIL TOUR
China is proving again and again that the Internet will not kill books and bookstores. A retail tour on the spot is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate that the cultural shop is still relevant. In October 2018, in Xi’An, one of the country’s historic hearts, Japanese architect Tomoko Ikegai (IKEGAI & Bros.) created a unique retail outlet in which the product serves as a backdrop for the Yanjiyou bookstore chain.
AN ALMOST BRUTAL IMMERSION
From the entrance of the 4,500 sqm store, 10 meters high shelves give customers the feeling of being immersed in the books. The presence of reflective ceilings further accentuates this impression, almost to the point of slight claustrophobia.
A SPECTACULAR ATRIUM
At the atrium level, a spiral staircase gives an impression of openness. It is topped with lights in the shape of flying leaves and guides the eye up to the upper floor. The bottom of the staircase is made of a card-shaped platform, serving as an event space. It is a first reminder of the city’s glorious past and its cultural heritage.
LOCALIZATION OF THE CONCEPT AND INTEGRATION INTO THE HISTORY OF THE CITY
Xi’An, famous for its cultural heritage listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (terracotta army, etc.) is at the heart of the inspiration behind the retail design of the bookshop. The architecture is inspired by Daming’s palace and presents a succession of small rooms. Illustrating the “bookshop + gallery” concept, works of art, chosen to represent the history of the city, are scattered throughout the store.
Spaces designed to serve as places of exchange are integrated in different rooms. The bookstore also hosts concepts of other corner signs. On level 2, there is a bar area that also serves as a lobby for the Grand Hyatt Hotel located on the upper floors.
The project has received several awards including the IIDA (Association for Commercial Interior Design) award for the best design in Asia-Pacific in 2019.
This store is far from being a unique example of what’s happening in Middle-East country. In Alibaba paradise, physical retail, especially for the cultural sector, always has its cards to play. The revival of cultural concepts in China is also happening here at HUBEI BOOKSTORE (click on the picture) :
Or here at SINAN BOOKS (click on the picture) :
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