Revolutionizing Bookstores: Tao Hua Yuan by Yuanyuan Ma

Experience Utopia in a Bookstore Inspired by a Chinese Literary Masterpiece

The Tao Hua Yuan Bookstore, designed by Yuanyuan Ma, is more than just a place to buy books. It's a getaway where people can slow down, feel relaxed, and peaceful in a busy city context. The design was inspired by "Tao Hua Yuan Ji" by Tao Yuanming, a Chinese literary masterpiece version of Utopia. The story is about a fisherman of Wuling, who by chance discovers an idyllic world of peace and tranquility, whose inhabitants live an ideal and harmonious life with nature and are unaware of the outside world for centuries.

Bookstores have always played an important role in book discovery and book culture in general. To remain successful, bookstores need to improve the experience of buying books. This is where Yuanyuan Ma's design shines. By visualizing the journey of the fisherman in “Tao Hua Yuan Ji”, the Tao Hua Yuan Bookstore becomes a physical representation of utopia for book lovers. It's a place where one can not only purchase books, but also relax and fully enjoy the time of reading.

The Tao Hua Yuan Bookstore covers a total area of about 2415 ㎡. The design is a testament to Ma's innovative approach to interior design, creating a space that tells a story and offers an experience. The bookstore is a visual representation of the future of bookstores, where the focus is not just on selling books, but also on providing a unique and memorable experience for customers.

This project was completed in 2016 in New York. Since then, it has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2018. The award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.

Yuanyuan Ma's Tao Hua Yuan Bookstore is a shining example of how design can transform a space and create a unique experience. It's a testament to the power of design and its ability to bring stories to life. As Ma herself says, "Bookstores have always been an important role in book discovery and book culture. For bookstores to remain successful, the key is to improve the experience of buying books."