"A vibrant and community-minded public transformation that thoughtfully weaves local culture, childhood games, and sustainable spatial design into a welcoming learning environment."
-------- Review from Future Art & Design Award
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Project description
This project has beautifully reimagined a once-crowded children’s library, which struggled with an overwhelming number of bookshelves and insufficient reading spaces. By focusing on timeless childhood games that have been cherished across generations, the design artfully merges the worlds of reading and play while celebrating the richness of local culture. Notably, the library's interior is adorned with vibrant murals featuring captivating hand-drawn art that reflects the serenity of bamboo groves, the intricacies of tea culture, and the enchanting tales of the community. These imaginative visual narratives not only enliven the space but also create an immersive experience that invites children to explore and interact with books in a meaningful way. Furthermore, this transformation elevates the library into a vital hub that not only preserves the cherished memories of childhood but also fosters a deep appreciation for cultural education. Ultimately, the library becomes a gateway to adventure, encouraging young readers to discover the joys of literature through connection and exploration.
From the entrance, large-scale murals depicting a young girl blowing bubbles and a young boy releasing paper airplanes greet visitors, set against imagery of Zhushan's mountain scenery and local cultural heritage — together forging a vivid, instantly recognizable identity for the space. Moving into the interior, one will see that the staircase ceiling draws on bamboo dragonflies, bamboo woven balls, and local landscape motifs, woven together with the vibrant colors of the steps to subtly echo the meaning embedded in the place name "Zhushan" (Bamboo Mountain), guiding children as they embark on a journey of discovery.
On the other hand, the reading area employs a soft palette of pale yellow, orange, green, and blue to define its different functional zones, furnished with flower-shaped tables, freeform reading desks, and tiered computer reference stations designed to accommodate users across age groups — cultivating a learning atmosphere that feels both open and genuinely inspiring. Descending the staircase, the design gives way to a parent-child interactive zone incorporating elements of Monopoly and hopscotch, alongside a compact audiovisual screening space, together meeting the full spectrum of needs — reading, instruction, programming, and quiet rest.
The design thoughtfully preserves the original structure of the public building, strategically focusing on minimizing resource consumption by reorganizing the available space rather than resorting to large-scale demolition. In pursuit of safety and longevity, we have meticulously selected high-quality materials, including fire-retardant roller shutters, energy-efficient LED lighting, ultra-durable flooring, and robust modular cabinets. Moreover, the project features the captivating integration of hand-painted murals that vividly showcase local cultural narratives. This artistic touch not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the environment but also transforms the library into a vibrant cultural gateway for exploring Zhushan’s rich history and natural features. Consequently, this creates a delightful reading paradise for children, embodying educational value, human warmth, and an enduring spirit of sustainability.