The original building’s lowest beam height was only 2.3 meters, creating a sense of oppression that discouraged prolonged stays—an urgent issue for a bookstore. The design team chose to open up a large section of the floor slab, creating a stepped mini-theater within the double-height space. The theater faces an exterior glass curtain wall, transforming the once cramped space into an open and inviting area. This design also enhances the interaction between the interior and exterior, allowing readers to enjoy their books while quietly observing the changing light as time passes.
The newly constructed staircase was placed next to the mini-theater, forming two parallel but non-interfering spaces. The increased width ensures that those moving up and down can do so comfortably. The use of subdued tones combined with subtle lighting creates a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere for readers, subtly encouraging a shift in mindset.
After the renovation, a narrow “passage” was created behind the stepped mini-theater, connecting the children’s area and the lifestyle books section. Functionally, this passage attracts young readers to pass through it, helping to prevent them from running around and disrupting activities in the mini-theater.
