Background
“Reading Mi覔” was established in 1991 in China and now a highly regarded chain bookstore brand. The brand name is derived from an ancient Chinese word that signifies “exploration and seeking.” With the concept of “Exploring the Garden of Knowledge,” their latest store employs a biophilic design approach in combining the act of turning pages with natural compositional elements to create a harmonious and healing experience.
Entrance
The entrance area marks the beginning of a journey for customers to purify their souls, providing them with a space for contemplation. The interwoven wooden slats on the ceiling serves as a visual cue for the biophilic concept.
Retail Zone
The curved, self-illuminating wall units create a comprehensive retail zone for books, gifts, and stationery, fostering a warm and human-centric environment for product display. Abstract flower-shaped ceiling features replace traditional signage and wayfinding systems, adding an artistic touch.
Kids & Event Zone
The oval-shaped independent kid’s and event zone provides families with an imaginative space for reading and activities, becoming a paradise for kids to explore knowledge and creativity. The multifunctional mini theater equipped with theatrical lighting offers kids a platform for interactive engagement, supporting storytelling and dramatic performances.
Café Zone
The nature-inspired experience continues in the café zone of the two-story atrium space which features a pair of 8-meter-high column bookshelves as the focal point, resembling two towering trees rooted in this space. The big-step seating area provides an excellent place for relaxation, with the adjacent full-height curtain wall allows sunlight to flood in, creating a bright and comfortable environment where customers can savor the “slow time” that changes with day and night.
