Cheng Yu Hsieh's Owspace: A Sanctuary of Knowledge and Culture

Unfolding Like an Ancient Chinese Scroll, the Owspace Bookstore Offers a Unique Cultural Experience

The Owspace bookstore is a three-story, 2800 square meter space that is designed to cater to a variety of cultural uses. The first floor features Owspace recommendations, a workshop, dining area, and a ten-meter tall book wall, aptly named the Knowledge Map. This impressive feature showcases the bookstore's culture and brand values. The second floor houses the majority of the books, including foreign books and periodicals, a coffee area, stationeries, and a select shop. There is also a space dedicated to the Best Sellers and their parody, the Sluggish Sellers. The third floor is home to a concert hall, gallery, and a family-friendly picture book area.

One of the unique features of the Owspace bookstore is its warm black color scheme. The ten-meter tall book wall is painted black, creating an awe-inspiring sight that also directs the flow of traffic to the upstairs. The bookshelves and desks are furnished with stained hardwood, creating a refined reading space that upholds the truth intrinsic to words. The design team also made use of natural lighting, with French windows that bring the outdoor greenery into the space during the day, and form the appearance of a light box at night.

The design team faced several challenges in creating the Owspace bookstore. They had to complete the design concept, layouts, and 3D drawings in just a month. Despite these challenges, they were able to create a space that is not just a bookstore, but a "humanistic scenery, a cultural domain" and a place of liberation for minds. The design elements of the space, including the bookshelves, displays, and furniture, were specifically chosen to preserve the patterns and touches of natural materials.

The Owspace bookstore is not just a testament to the power of design, but also to the power of knowledge. As the design team notes, "one has worked hard pursuing a vision greater than oneself.” This vision is clearly reflected in the Owspace bookstore, a space where knowledge is not just consumed, but also shared and celebrated.

The Owspace bookstore was awarded Silver in the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2020. This prestigious award is given to designs that showcase outstanding expertise and innovation, and the Owspace bookstore is a deserving recipient. With its unique design and commitment to promoting knowledge and culture, the Owspace bookstore is a shining example of the power of design to create spaces that are not just functional, but also inspiring and transformative.