The Infinite: A Vibrant Reading Structure by Zai-Zao Architecture

Reimagining the Reading Experience in the Age of Digital Dominance

Designed by Zhao Deli and his team at Zai-Zao Architecture, 'The Infinite' is a unique reading structure that aims to create three latent reading experiences: perceptible, resilient, and inhabitable. The design is inspired by the current trend where the smartphone has become the primary source of knowledge for many Chinese citizens. This has led to a decline in the human perception of the real, self-motivated knowledge seeking between the actual environment of a book and virtual imagination.

What sets 'The Infinite' apart from other designs is its focus on the reader's experience. As readers think and recall the knowledge from the book, they are free to seek or sense relevant space to what they read. Conversely, readers may move around the reading structure of scale multiplicity before they start to read. This design approach implicates the infinite possibilities of discovering knowledge intensity from different distances, perspectives, and positions, creating a vibrant experience between the mind and the space.

The structure is made from over 2000 different scale/form of wooden pieces that are pre-fabricated by CNC and then assembled on site. The design was realized using wooden parts CNC fabrication in collaboration with local craftsman carpenter customization. The structure was re-created on the existing urban commercial concrete box, covering a total area of 369 m2.

The design project started in October 2016 in Hangzhou and was completed in January 2017. It was built in Yuyao in May 2017. The project is a design research project focused on the reciprocal perception and active knowledge discovery between body movements and architectural form in the reading process. The goal was to construct a dynamic reading form that can exchange reading performance and experience with knowledge perception and relevant body movements.

'The Infinite' was awarded Silver in 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.