The Concept for this Kids’ Bookstore is a Non-Traditional Bookstore and a Composite Parent-Child Space

The concept for this kids’ bookstore is ‘Book-scape’: a non-traditional bookstore and a composite parent-child space with four functions: retail, learning, dining, and amusement. We’ve created an abstract world of a garden from a kid’s storybook, stimulating imaginations and catering for different parent-child activities. The design language manipulates the symbols and shapes of gardens to match functional requirements and create memorable spatial experiences for different zones.

The retail zone is a humanised space for selling books, stationery and other teaching and learning products. Giant glowing petals above allow customers to orientate themselves, functioning as the directory system. The second zone has multi-purpose classrooms with caves of different sizes. Under the organically shaped suspended ceiling, children can learn in an inspiring and relaxing space. All classrooms have natural light.

The third zone is a family restaurant composed of two different areas; next to the window is a VIP area constructed of environmentally friendly wood depicting the shapes of a building block toy.Connected by a full-height bookshelf is the fourth zone – a multi-functional amusement area.

Parents can see children playing in a circular theatre space, in which a starry sky is created by LED lights. For events and book launches, the surrounding area becomes audience seating, and the acoustics of the theatre’s dome ceiling enables speakers to be heard without a microphone. Mirror steel and coloured LED lights transform the quarter-circular exit corridor into a rainbow, creating a transitional space to return children and parents to real life from this abstract and dreamy world.

Project Information
Architect: PANORAMA Design Group