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HARBOOK HANGZHOU, CHINA
A 600-square-metre shop called Harbook proudly stands alongside the West Lake designed by Alberto Caiola recently opened its doors in Hangzhou, China aiming to appeal to the young urban customer.

Inspired by an “imaginary cityscape” theme, the store’s contemporary-meets-traditional concept is reflected in the interior design that is being carried all throughout the shop. Aside from the books displayed on the shop, Harbook also incorporates other lifestyle elements such as a cafe, and a showroom for Danish contemporary furniture brand Normann Copenhagen, into the building which makes it a go to place for every bookworm.
12 October, 2018
By donlim77 In Blog

A series of silver arches can be seen in the space that evokes nostalgia of the classical Italian porticos, on the other hand, interesting geometric shapes can be seen on the space are being arranged like towering sculptures. Geometric forms mixed in silver and pink palette combined with accents of bright colors give the interior a postmodern edge that offsets the store’s more classical elements.

“Thematically connecting Harbook’s urban elements of socialising, cultural exchange, shopping and dining, these design elements create a quite literally immersive dialogue between eras and cultures, providing a sensual journey through the space,” added the designers.

The furniture display in the shop is backdropped in dark grey while a set of stairs lead to a raised cafe area decorated in dusky pink. The architects said the cafe is intended as a “dream-like” space where customers can meet with friends, work, or read. The best way to emphasize that is the location of the café overlooking the city’s West Lake, what’s also great about the café is that it features a floor made of traditional, locally-sourced Chinese bricks that pay homage to the bookshop’s location.

According to the designers, the focal point for the interior is the gridded LED light installation that stretches across the ceiling of the bookstore, it is also a metaphor for the enlightenment attained through reading.

Designed by Alberto Caiola

Photography by Dirk Weiblen