step inside the fairytale-inspired duoyun bookstore in china

finding Neverland inside the Yancheng Duoyun Bookstore

Shanghai-based Wutopia Lab brings the spirit of Neverland to the Duoyun Bookstore in Yancheng, Jiangsu, China. A fairytale-like space where both adults and children can escape into, the design draws inspiration from three animated films by Italian illustrator Cristina Làstrego, known for her whimsical depiction of characters and settings. As such, the 1,700 sqm bookstore weaves playful and dramatic architectural elements punctuated by fresh color palettes and plenty of symbolic references.

Duoyun Bookstore tower | all images © CreatAR Images, courtesy of Wutopia Lab

recreating the whimsical charm of illustrated books

The thematic thread weaving across the Duoyun Bookstore particularly celebrates the gentle shapes and vibrant colors used in picture books to describe the world around us. That said, the team at Wutopia Lab envisioned the main building facade as a maritime landscape with a red ship docked at the port and a yellow backdrop recalling the motion of waves. At the back sits a red tower evoking the shape of a lighthouse standing in the harbor.

Visitors can access the tower via a central, earth-toned staircase that leads them down a spellbinding display of white bookshelves spread across two levels. Reaching the first floor, adults and children are invited to look up at the sloping roof and enjoy its mesmerizing sun-like design.

the sloping roof inside the book tower evokes a sun-like design

Stepping out of the tower leads to the ‘Black Forest’ corridor, where an abstract scattering of black metal poles echoes the mystical cluster of woodland trees. At night, dotted lights on the ground come to life like sparkles, evoking the enchanting landscapes described in fairytales. Complementing the semi-outdoor ‘forest’ is a cloud-themed café at ground level. The architects clad the space in gradations of white perforated metal and brushed stainless steel panels to give the impression of floating high up in the sky.

the main facade echoes a maritime landscape

In addition to the book tower, a second library area sits right above the café. There, illustrated books are divided into four sections; each section is built as colored room with an animal-shaped entrance. Unlike the perforated metal exterior, every room interior is coated entirely in white to eliminate distractions while reading.

Last but not least, the outdoor terrace of the café reveals a vibrant red tent with carousel horses displayed at its center. The flame-like structure holds the same perforated skin found across the Duoyun Bookstore, letting daylight filter in to create playful shadow patterns.