Pingjiang Wonder Bookstore: A Delicately-Cut Crystal in the Heart of Suzhou

AICO's Award-Winning Design Merges Modern Architecture with Cultural Streets

The inspiration for the bookstore's design came from the Rose Cut, a diamond faceting method from the Renaissance. The exterior of the building is composed of inlaid triangles, the apexes of which are tilted at a specific angle, creating a dynamic facade that reflects the variations of sunlight throughout the day and across seasons.

As the first building in the city complex transitioning from the old town to the city gateway, AICO envisioned it as a delicately-cut crystal. The building is divided horizontally into two parts. The upper part is faceted and battered by a vertical angle of 4-6 degrees towards the sky, symbolizing the city's pioneering spirit. The lower part, transparent and human-scaled, is designed for better integration into the unique cultural streets, allowing both parts to merge naturally into different development stages.

The realization of this design was made possible through the use of high-reflective glass panels, each measuring 5m x 1.8m, to compose the external framed curtain wall. This gave the building its unique diamond-like exterior. However, the construction of this specially designed facade curtain wall was not without challenges. The stress problem at the apexes increased the fragility of the glass, and the flattening of the large glass panels was a technical hurdle that was overcome through systematic research and close collaboration.

The bookstore, located at 777 Liansheng Rd, Gusu Dist., Suzhou, China, was completed in 2018. It stands as a trendy experience center amidst the city complex and is expected to remain culturally unique, serving the local community and merging into their daily life. This design was awarded Silver in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2021, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation.

The design process was guided by the law of THE NEGATION OF NEGATION in Science of Logic by Hegel. Rounds of negations led to the final design, which is neither hidden within the 500,000 square meter city complex nor highlighted within the tiny 1800 square meters. Instead, it stands as an icy cluster of metal and a soothing piece of jade, reflecting the dialectic speculation that forms the basic design logic for the building.

In conclusion, the Pingjiang Wonder Bookstore is a testament to AICO's innovative design approach, combining modern architecture with cultural elements. Despite the challenges faced during construction, the final result is a unique, award-winning structure that serves as a pioneer in the new town and a culturally unique space for the local community.