As online publications, ebooks, and other forms of digital reading have risen in popularity, old-fashioned printed literature has taken on an air of elegance and even grandeur, and a new bookstore design by Wutopia Labs reflects that change. The store is built into a historic mansion on the outskirts of Shanghai, leaving room after labyrinthine room of shelf space for thousands of books.
Though working within the confines of a preexisting building, Wutopia Labs was very deliberate in its design of the Shanghai Century Publishing Group's bookstore. The design firm carefully selected the color palette and materials that it would use throughout the various rooms and floor, ensuring that the space shifted as people move through it without being excessively jarring in terms of transitions between one section and another.
Traditional Mansion Bookstore
Wutopia Lab Transformed a Historic Mansion into a Massive Store
Trend Themes
1. Printed Literature - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Explore new ways to make printed literature relevant and appealing in the digital age.
2. Bookstore Design - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Redefine the traditional bookstore design to create immersive and unique reading experiences that attract customers.
3. Historic Mansion Transformation - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Repurpose historic buildings into unconventional spaces that blend history and contemporary elements for new business concepts.
Industry Implications
1. Publishing - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Incorporate digital elements into physical bookstores to create a seamless transition between print and digital reading experiences.
2. Architecture and Interior Design - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Merge historic preservation with innovative design techniques to transform old buildings into captivating spaces for various industries.
3. Retail and Hospitality - Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Develop bookstore concepts that go beyond selling books, offering immersive environments and diverse activities to entice customers.