Naïve Bookstore 书店丨中国丨Atelier tao+c

A luminous beacon set amidst the pristine snowscape of Aranya Chongli in Northern China, Naïve Bookstore by Atelier tao+c is an elegant 420-square-meter space. Redefining the traditional bookstore and café typology, the space sits in harmony with its natural surroundings while providing an inviting refuge for readers and visitors.

The bookstore’s arresting southern double-height façade features floor-to-ceiling timber-framed windows that open up to breathtaking views of snow-covered slopes and a fir tree forest. These expansive windows flood the interior with winter sunlight, casting playful shadows that dance across the space throughout the day.

Inside, the space is open and fluid, with no partition walls to disrupt the natural flow. Instead, a grid of steel and wood frameworks interweaves with the existing concrete columns, creating a new spatial sequence that blurs the boundaries between the interior and exterior. The design team, comprising Tao Liu, Chunyan Cai, Weilu Wang, and Liyan Zhu, turned to materials such as glued timber, laminated timber boards, and fibreglass to enhance the space’s lightness and translucency.

The layout is thoughtfully planned to cater to different moods and activities. Bookshelves, made from lightweight fibreglass with rounded edges, are fixed to stainless steel brackets, giving them a floating appearance that maintains the space’s continuity. As sunlight penetrates these translucent shelves, it softens and diffuses, casting gentle shadows that imbue the space with a warm, honey-coloured glow.

Furniture plays a crucial role in the bookstore’s design. Custom pieces by the furniture brand ziinlife include three banquettes with fluid contours that combine seating and desk space, ensuring that books are always within reach. These arrangements foster both solitude and casual gatherings, while white sofas around the windows provide a corridor-like seating area that brings visitors closer to the stunning landscape outside.

The choice of materials and colours is pivotal to the serene atmosphere. Light birch and fiberglass complement the snowy landscape, transforming the previously grey concrete space into a brighter, more refined environment. The design evokes a sense of warmth and mist rising from the snow, making the bookstore a welcoming haven in the harsh winter landscape.

According to Atelier tao+c, the design aims to “reframe views for exploration,” inviting visitors to engage with both the books and the natural surroundings in a new and immersive way. This approach not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also creates a harmonious environment that encourages introspection and connection. A tranquil retreat that feels at once modern and timeless.

[Images courtesy of Atelier tao+c. Photography by Wen Studio.]