Located at the basement level of a red brick office building, this 452 sqm bookstore designed by Wutopia Lab features interlinking tunnel-like spaces complemented by plants and foliage, water features, and partition walls made from perforated aluminium and quartz stone.
Named 二酉 (pronounced Er You), the bookstore depicts its historical inspiration in a graceful manner. “Er” in Chinese, indicates the number “two,” while the “You” refers to the Big You Mountain and Little You mountains. These two destinations were where scholars were believed to have preserved books from being burnt by the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang in 213 BCE.
According to Wutopia Lab founder, Yu Ting, the clients requested for a special place that sells more than just books; they also wanted visitors to have a memorable experience. Thus, flowers, wine and tea are presented along with a meticulous selection of books.
In one of the bookshelves, the designers used overlapping panels of white engineered quartz stone to create a unique look. In the centre is an elliptical table to anchor the room. Light inside the room filters through the stone wall, beckoning customers to enter. On the shelves are new titles recommended by the bookstore.
These cavern-looking spaces feature reddish brown perforated aluminium panels, which give the space a contemporary and raw appeal. The bookshelves also serve as partition walls, resulting in a series of cosy spaces for customers to browse through the books in the store.
Nearby, a garden with a well and a spring is partially concealed within a triangular room, but can be viewed via a low opening through a circular window, giving the space an enigmatic vibe. This approach is similar to that of traditional Chinese garden design where framing views form the aesthetic of the garden concept.
