Reading Mi, Zhuhai  ︎

Location: Zhuhai, China
Client: Shenzhen Friendship Book City Co., Ltd.
Area: 1200sqm


Background
“Reading Mi覔” was established in 1991 in China and now a highly regarded chain bookstore brand. As a unique cultural space, each bookstore is not merely a place for selling books; rather, it offers customers a rich experience through thoughtfully designed multifunctional areas. It targets at middle-class customers and is dedicated to creating a warm and culturally vibrant environment for families.

Concept
The brand name "Mi覔" is derived from an ancient Chinese word that signifies "exploration and seeking." The latest store is located in the atrium of a new shopping mall in Zhuhai, China, aiming to create a tranquil haven amidst the bustling environment. With the design concept of "Exploring the Garden of Knowledge," the bookstore employs a "biophilic" design approach, combining the act of turning pages with natural compositional elements to create a harmonious visual experience. The design team is dedicated to creating an inspiring, sensory-rich space that provides a therapeutic effect for the soul, reinforcing the irreplaceability of physical bookstores in the digital age.

Design
Entrance
The entrance area marks the beginning of a journey for customers to purify their souls, providing them with a space for contemplation. The interwoven wooden slats on the ceiling serves as a visual cue for the biophilic concept. The design of the wooden veneer shelves is not only aesthetically pleasing but also complements the overall beige tones of the space, forming a warm and comfortable backdrop.

Retail Zone
The curved, self-illuminating wall units create a comprehensive retail zone for books, gifts, and stationery, fostering a warm and human-centric environment for product display. Abstract flower-shaped ceiling features replace traditional signage and wayfinding systems, adding an artistic touch. The flower shapes symbolize vitality and inspiration, merging the concepts of knowledge and creativity. Various semi-open nodes and reading corners provide customers with a private and tranquil knowledge exploration experience.

Kids & Event Zone
The oval-shaped independent kid’s and event zone provides families with an imaginative space for reading and activities, becoming a paradise for kids to explore knowledge and creativity. The multifunctional mini theater equipped with theatrical lighting offers kids a platform for interactive engagement, supporting storytelling and dramatic performances. This area is not only an extension of reading but also a stage for them to express themselves. Parents can join their kids in narrating stories or enjoy their performances, enhancing interaction and communication between parents and kids.

Café Zone
The nature-inspired experience continues in the café zone of the two-story atrium space which features a pair of 8-meter-high column bookshelves as the focal point, resembling two towering trees rooted in this space. All customers are covered under the interwoven ceiling structure that branches out from these distinctive columns, making them feel embraced by a forest. The big-step seating area provides an excellent place for relaxation, with the adjacent full-height curtain wall allows sunlight to flood in, creating a bright and comfortable environment where customers can savor the “slow time” that changes with day and night. The design scheme fully embodies the pursuit of humanistic care, returning to the user's experience and emphasizing the relationship between people and space, fulfilling the concept of "Mi."

Conclusion
Bookstore is not only a testament to the soul of the city but also a sanctuary for cultural growth. This metaphor-rich space deeply explores the relationship between place, literature, and the spirit, becoming a refuge for the human soul.
It not only provides a wealth of reading resources but also serves as a haven for reducing stress, allowing people to find tranquility amidst the chaos and enjoy moments of peace.