yi chen and muchen zhang of chinese firm beijing fenghemuchen space design have built the yue library in hangzhou as a shared space that integrates systematic, diversified, and upgraded lifestyles of reading, coffee, and cultural interaction. built as a social platform that brings together a reading-themed living space as well as a coffee experience, the project manages to embed culture into everyday life and presents an intimate environment for cultural life in the local community. its 10-meter-high interior is divided into several horizontal layers that form platforms for various activities, while its natural wood construction creates the impression of wandering in a forest of books. beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhouall images courtesy of beijing fenghemuchen space design

 

 

in building the yue library, beijing fenghemuchen space design has partnered with beijing capital land to explore cultural lifestyles in hangzhou, and provide local citizens with a way of life to satisfy their needs for culture, lifestyle, and spirituality. the project serves as a versatile hub for both cultural and community services, comprising – in addition to the reading and coffee areas (yuntai bookshop, yue coffee) – a space dedicated to experiences of all five senses (vision, hearing, taste, smell and touch), covering a variety of themed zones such as a talking room and a children’s playground.beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou

 

 

the yue library provides the local community with multiple possibilities of cultural experiences, including reading and book borrowing, a literature and arts salon, movie concerts, an international music festival, and more. in designing the whole space, yi chen and muchen zhang have mostly used natural wood, while trying to keep the use of other materials and design language to a minimal degree, in order for the innate property of wood to be highlighted in a simple and unpretentious manner.

 

‘natural wood is a material filled with vitality, whose temperature and touch are quite similar to those of human beings,’ explains the beijing-based studio. ‘by building and shaping the space with natural wood, a kind of resonance with human body can be created, which adds a dimension of warmth and kindness to everything we do in the space, making it a soothing and relaxing retreat from urban pressure.’ beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou

 

 

large floor-to-ceiling glass windows allow plenty of natural light to enter the 10-meter-high interior, cascading down the large stairs, and at the same time providing direct views toward the garden outside. the wall-like bookshelves create a dense forest-like atmosphere, while the corridor bridges serve as a pathway that threads through different horizontal and vertical spaces. ‘walking into this jungle of books, you can draw inspiration from a vast pool of wisdom,’ notes the studio. ‘this is where you can immerse yourself in writings, interact with ideas and authors from the past and the present, and explore possibilities and spiritual needs; traverse the boundaries of urban life, and break down the psychological barriers between individuals.’  beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhoubeijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou beijing fenghemuchen space design builds yue library as wooden forest of books in hangzhou

 

 

project info:

 

 

name: yue library

architect: beijing fenghemuchen space design

assignment: interior design

address: hangzhou, china