Bishan Bookstore Revives Ancestral Hall with Modern Design

Yunhai Zhao blends heritage and innovation in rural Anhui bookstore.

Located in Bishan Village, Anhui, the Bishan Bookstore stands as a testament to the harmonious integration of history and modernity. The project, led by Yunhai Zhao, reimagines the historic Wang family shrine—Qitai Hall, built during the Qing Dynasty—as a bookstore that serves not only as a place to purchase books but also as a cultural sanctuary for the local community. This initiative, part of Librairie Avant Garde’s mission to bring literature to underserved rural areas, aims to create a “cultural utopia” where the joy of reading flourishes.

Central to the design is the transformation of the bookcase, inspired by the screens found in traditional Chinese painting. The main bookcase wall, constructed with cement board to protect against ground humidity, features partially embedded shelves and recedes backward, drawing the eye toward a central activity area. This space, wrapped by three screen-like structures, becomes the heart of the bookstore, echoing the gathering spaces once used by literati for intellectual exchange.

The material palette further reinforces the connection to nature and heritage. Interiors are crafted from wood, bamboo, and stone, materials that resonate with the surrounding landscape and the building’s historic character. Notably, the bookcase wall employs a new white rammed earth material, typically used for exterior walls, adding a contemporary touch while maintaining a dialogue with tradition.

Spanning 420 square meters, the bookstore’s adaptive reuse posed significant challenges. The design team needed to respect the heritage-protected status of the ancestral hall while ensuring the space met modern functional and economic demands. Overcoming these obstacles required a careful balance, preserving original architectural elements and integrating new features that support the evolving needs of the community.

The Bishan Bookstore’s renewal is more than a restoration; it is a reinvention that invites visitors to reconnect with cultural roots and experience the ancestral hall in a new light. By fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring the ongoing relevance of the site, the project exemplifies how thoughtful design can sustain cultural heritage while adapting to contemporary lifestyles.

Recognized with the prestigious Golden A' Design Award in 2025, the Bishan Bookstore stands as a model for cultural preservation and innovation, demonstrating the profound impact that architecture and design can have on community life and the dissemination of knowledge.