‘There’s a claustrophobia within a love sustained by friendship and respect’
‘There’s a claustrophobia within a love sustained by friendship and respect’

Sarah Gill

My Life in Culture: Media and Communication Studies lecturer Dr. Susan Liddy
My Life in Culture: Media and Communication Studies lecturer Dr. Susan Liddy

Sarah Finnan

10 unique Irish stays for something a little different this summer
10 unique Irish stays for something a little different this summer

Sarah Gill

A Derry home, full of personality and touches of fun, proves the power of embracing colour
A Derry home, full of personality and touches of fun, proves the power of embracing...

Megan Burns

The rise of the tennis aesthetic (thank you Zendaya)
The rise of the tennis aesthetic (thank you Zendaya)

Sarah Finnan

Rodial founder Maria Hatzistefanis: 15 lessons in business
Rodial founder Maria Hatzistefanis: 15 lessons in business

Holly O'Neill

PODCAST: Season 3, Episode 4: Trinny Woodall of Trinny London
PODCAST: Season 3, Episode 4: Trinny Woodall of Trinny London

IMAGE

Ask the Doctor: ‘Is a Keto diet safe, or could it raise my cholesterol?’
Ask the Doctor: ‘Is a Keto diet safe, or could it raise my cholesterol?’

Sarah Gill

Sarah Jessica Parker loves Ireland and we love her
Sarah Jessica Parker loves Ireland and we love her

Sarah Finnan

Chocolatey browns are our new favourite interiors fix
Chocolatey browns are our new favourite interiors fix

Megan Burns

Image / Editorial

The World’s Most Beautiful Book Store Has Opened In China


By Niamh ODonoghue
01st Jun 2016
The World’s Most Beautiful Book Store Has Opened In China

See More Photos
Perhaps in an attempt to provoke more people to read books, architectures and designers in China have turned a regular book store into a magnificent work of operative art.

The mammoth undertaking was the concept of Shanghai’design studio XL-Muse?and aims to create the most beautiful reading experience at the?Zhongshuge-Hangzhou bookstore. The building is superbly dissected into contrasting sections that play with light, colour, texture, and sound. Opening into a striking white, wide open space with circular bookshelves and reflective ceilings. Specially designed lighting ensures that the atmosphere is at all times serene?and tranquil. On first glances, it would appear that you’re entering a futuristic airport, rather than a library, and opens a whole new dimension for book-lovers.

Book store_5

A purpose-built children’s room resembles an alluring utopia;?complete with play area and custom built shelves in the shapes of roller coasters, hot air balloons, and merry-go-rounds. This would inspire any child to reach for the stars. The vast majority of the structure contains mirrored ceilings; symbolizing evolving and eternal knowledge – swoon.