Founded in 2011 by interior designer Li Xiang, the
X+Living office quickly gained recognition in the world of decoration (and on social media!) for its projects that mix art, design and architecture. Its unique aesthetic - often compared to fictional film sets - is present in more than 20 projects across China, including stores, restaurants, hotels and offices. When it comes to bookstores, the stores resemble fantastic scenes that mix, among other elements, mirrored ceilings, shelves with original design, references to Chinese culture and optical illusions. Check out seven projects signed by the office below.
Boats between books
The
Dujiangyan Zhongshuge bookstore is located in Chengdu and impresses with its appearance: the C-shaped shelves create arches that are repeated in the ceiling mirrors, as do the columns filled with books. The dark floor, together with the oval-shaped displays spread throughout the space, create an illusion of boats sailing among the books.
Bamboo and rice fields
Upon entering
Chengdu Zhongshuge , visitors are struck by a written glass wall. But that's just the beginning of the project: from the bookshelves that resemble bamboo plants to the children's space with mushrooms, each room brings something new. Among the 5 m high shelves covered in red bricks it is possible to have a coffee and in the reading room, the stairs with different heights resemble rice terraces.
Like in a garden
Next to the Lafayette department store,
Beijing's Zhongshuge bookstore uses stairs to create different levels and create a feeling that the space is floating. Inspired by the classic Chinese "Moon Gates" (circular passages present in gardens), the shelves feature a circular design that gives movement to the architecture and connects spaces. The study area resembles a bamboo grove.
A city for books
Whether to represent bustling Shanghai or simply to create an urban atmosphere inside the bookstore, the
Shanghai Zhongshuge Reel Store has pedestrian crossings that indicate the circulation of the space and also create a city inside the store. On the wall, white tubes allow for different book display layouts. In another part of the establishment, wooden shelves simulate a park, complete with benches and lamp posts.
Book cave
The
Guiyang Zhongshuge Bookstore creates a kind of cave with its shelves: stalactites house books and are reflected in the dark floor that simulates water. Loose boat-shaped displays complete the scene. In another part of the establishment, triangular furniture resembles mountains.
Shelves like rocks
On the coast of East China,
Ningbo Zhongshuge has a glass facade embedded in stone, which hides a large and cozy space. Dark-colored shelves resemble stacked rocks and are organized at different heights. On the second floor, mirrors and reflections of straight lines create an infinite sensation and the stairs serve as reading benches. For the children's section, shelves with musical designs and bright colors create a creative and inspiring space.
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