Shenzhen Book Mall: A New Paradigm in Urban Architecture

Zhubo Design's Award-Winning Integration of City and Nature

Zhubo Design has achieved a remarkable feat with the Shenzhen Book Mall, a project that stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of architecture and landscape. The design team, led by Wang Ruiqi and his colleagues, has crafted a space that is not merely a building but an extension of the city itself, seamlessly merging with the natural environment. The Book Mall, which began its journey in 2018 and reached completion in 2025, is a prime example of innovative thinking in modern architecture.

At the core of the design lies the concept of "circle of heaven and earth," a nod to traditional Chinese culture. This is visually represented by the circular volume that rises from the center of a sloping park, juxtaposed with the rectangular volume of the adjacent public building. The result is a striking composition that blurs the boundaries between the building and the bustling city around it. The integration strategy employed by Zhubo Design ensures that the park's greenery is preserved, with the building half-buried under the landscape, allowing for a more verdant view and a shield from the chaotic streetscape.

The Shenzhen Book Mall is not only a visual marvel but also a beacon of sustainability. It boasts passive green building features, such as suspended green roofs and underground construction, aimed at reducing energy consumption. The design team carefully selected materials to complement the building's functions, with the west elevation featuring curved materials to enhance mechanical properties and create a sense of lightness, while the east elevation's translucent aluminum panels echo the undulations of ocean waves, providing both aesthetic appeal and shade.

With a total land area of over 65,000 square meters and a construction area double that size, the Book Mall is a spacious cultural hub. It houses a variety of functions, from a book city to a folk museum, commercial spaces, a multi-functional hall, and creative culture areas. The design encourages an immersive cultural experience, with interconnected paths and staircases reminiscent of mountains of books and ribbons of jade, creating a dynamic and engaging public space.

The challenges faced by the design team were substantial, particularly in maintaining an open building concept. More than three-quarters of the building area is situated underground, with an open design that connects the ground and the floor, allowing visitors to transition seamlessly between indoor and outdoor experiences. This all-weather urban corridor ensures that the Book Mall is more than just a bookstore; it is a place where nature, city, and architecture converge to create a memorable experience.

The Shenzhen Book Mall Bay Area Branch has been recognized for its outstanding design, receiving the prestigious Golden A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2024. This accolade is a testament to Zhubo Design's vision and expertise, marking the project as a trendsetting creation that advances art, science, design, and technology. The Book Mall stands as a beacon of innovation, inviting visitors to rethink the relationship between culture and life in a space where the city breathes within nature.