Yan Bookstore / Ikg Inc.

Architects: ikg inc.
Area: 2475 m²
Year: 2018
Photographs: Nacasa & Partners Inc.
Manufacturers: ENDO Lighting Corporation, Nemetschek, Shaw Industries Group
Lead Architect: Tomoko Ikegai
Lighting Design: Sola Associates
Design Cooperation: ARTERIOR Co.Ltd.
Clients: China Resources Land Group
Graphic Design: uji design
City: Shenzhen
Country: China

Yan Bookstore, designed by ikg inc. in Shenzhen Bay’s MIXC Complex, reflects China’s cultural identity through a Zen-inspired, introspective space. Set within Shenzhen’s dynamic urban landscape, the 2,475 m² store emphasizes individuality and the theme “Life in the East.” Encased by a rammed-earth wall with natural tones, the interior uses Italian travertine-patterned tiles and delicate, gold-accented shelves to evoke the earth’s layers and minerals, creating an immersive “sea of books.” Custom artworks and event areas enhance Yan as a sanctuary for reflection, connecting visitors with China’s cultural depth and offering a tranquil space for self-discovery.

In the past thirty years, Shenzhen’s population has expanded significantly from 300,000 to 1.4 million. The MIXC commercial complex in Shenzhen Bay sits in a developed area overlooking the bay, surrounded by hotels, residences, sports facilities, and office buildings. Yan, a 2,475-square-meter bookstore, was designed on the third floor of this complex. For thousands of years, China has made notable cultural contributions to Japan and the wider world. Recently, bookstores across China have opened with visually impressive, striking designs.

In this dynamic city, the designers felt it essential to honor China’s originality and individuality, exploring mystical Eastern imagery within the global context. Centering on the theme “Life in the East,” rooted in Chinese cultural foundations, they aimed to create a space where visitors could experience deep self-reflection and craft their own unique stories.

The sub-concept, “Think Borderless, Discover Yourself,” reflects the bookstore’s identity as a space for continuous self-discovery. To realize this, the designers crafted an interior embodying the calm, dignified spirit of Zen Buddhism. With “Zen” as its guiding concept, the inner space contrasts sharply with the opulent exterior, enclosed by a long rammed-earth facade reminiscent of layered geological strata.

The rammed-earth wall incorporates soils in shades ranging from amber to milky white, establishing the natural earth-toned color scheme throughout the store. This palette makes the bookstore the focal point, with surrounding tenant stores harmonized by the same earthy tones.

The floor features tiles in a mock Italian travertine pattern, symbolizing accumulation through marble’s visual depiction of earth’s gradual hardening over time. The gold hue of the bookshelves evokes the image of minerals within the earth, while the slender stainless steel shelves add a sense of spirituality. These exceedingly thin shelves create an effect of near invisibility, reinforcing the concept of immersion within a vast “sea of books.”

Five custom-made artworks were installed to align with the overall concept, each with themes that complement the space’s patterns and contribute to expressing a cohesive worldview. The event area and small gathering space were designed for various interactive events and exchanges, incorporating practical methods for sharing ideas and information to ensure that visitors continuously encounter new experiences.

“Yan” is envisioned as a space for encountering wisdom and embarking on self-discovery—a place where visitors can connect with the warmth of the earth. The designers hope visitors will enjoy a quiet, contemplative experience and uncover a new world within.