Architecture

Striking bookstore offers breathtaking views over Nujiang Grand Canyon

Striking bookstore offers breathtaking views over Nujiang Grand Canyon
Merging architecture and Landscape: The Nujiang Grand Canyon Bookstore
Merging architecture and Landscape: The Nujiang Grand Canyon Bookstore
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Merging nature and culture: the bookstore at the edge of the Gaoligong Mountains
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Merging nature and culture: the bookstore at the edge of the Gaoligong Mountains

Architectural ingenuity captures both the thrill of nature and cultural echoes
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Architectural ingenuity captures both the thrill of nature and cultural echoes

This building redefines boundaries between constructed and natural worlds
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This building redefines boundaries between constructed and natural worlds

Nature and literature collide in this unique architectural landmark
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Nature and literature collide in this unique architectural landmark

Concrete walls frame glimpses of the canyon, enhancing immersive reading experiences
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Concrete walls frame glimpses of the canyon, enhancing immersive reading experiences

An artistic response to steep topography, mirroring the canyon's natural drama
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An artistic response to steep topography, mirroring the canyon's natural drama

A café with a sloping roof adds an element of spiritual openness
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A café with a sloping roof adds an element of spiritual openness

The top level features a café under a sloped roof, fostering a bright, open atmosphere
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The top level features a café under a sloped roof, fostering a bright, open atmosphere
Concrete and wood harmoniously blend to create an airy yet grounded space
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Concrete and wood harmoniously blend to create an airy yet grounded space

A modern gateway that opens up Yangpo Village to the world
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A modern gateway that opens up Yangpo Village to the world
A bookstore that doubles as a cultural beacon within a historical village
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A bookstore that doubles as a cultural beacon within a historical village
Open-air terraces create a sense of connection with the sky and earth
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Open-air terraces create a sense of connection with the sky and earth
An elevated journey through literature with panoramic views of sacred mountains
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An elevated journey through literature with panoramic views of sacred mountains
Exploring books surrounded by vistas of untouched mountains and river
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Exploring books surrounded by vistas of untouched mountains and river
A bookstore serving as a bridge between community tradition and innovation
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A bookstore serving as a bridge between community tradition and innovation
An urban intervention that respects and revitalizes the mountain village
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An urban intervention that respects and revitalizes the mountain village
Strategic openings bring the outside in, framing natural portraits of the canyon
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Strategic openings bring the outside in, framing natural portraits of the canyon
Rooftop terraces offer moments of pause and breath taking observation
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Rooftop terraces offer moments of pause and breath taking observation

Bold, contemporary design meets ancient mountain landscapes
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Bold, contemporary design meets ancient mountain landscapes

A modern public space that draws on local stories and scenic power
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A modern public space that draws on local stories and scenic power

A place for reading and contemplation in the embrace of mountain silence
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A place for reading and contemplation in the embrace of mountain silence

Merging architecture and Landscape: The Nujiang Grand Canyon Bookstore
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Merging architecture and Landscape: The Nujiang Grand Canyon Bookstore
A suspended structure built to connect the past and present of the Lisu people
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A suspended structure built to connect the past and present of the Lisu people
This project exemplifies how modern design can honor traditional roots
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This project exemplifies how modern design can honor traditional roots
Nujiang Grand Canyon Bookstore bridges tradition and innovation
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Nujiang Grand Canyon Bookstore bridges tradition and innovation

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Situated in Yangpo Village atop the Gaoligong Mountains, the Nujiang Grand Canyon Bookstore blends contemporary architecture with the surrounding natural and cultural landscape. With panoramic views of the Nujiang River and nearby peaks, the innovative project showcases an approach that connects modern design with local heritage.

Built on a steep, mountainous site, the bookstore extends outward like an arrow, symbolizing the Lisu people’s cultural connection to their crossbows. The design adapts to the slope, integrating the structure into the terrain while creating a sense of elevation. The use of reinforced concrete and locally sourced materials enhances the building’s durability and reduces its environmental impact. Openings in the walls are positioned to frame varied views of the canyon, establishing a strong connection between the interior and exterior.

The interior spans three levels, each with a specific purpose. The top level features a café under a sloped roof, fostering a bright, open atmosphere. The mid-level is a sheltered bookstore, enclosed by concrete walls, while the lower level houses an amphitheater lit by skylights. This theater features camphor-wood doors that open once a day, with the surrounding landscape becoming a natural extension of the theater.

Architectural ingenuity captures both the thrill of nature and cultural echoes
Architectural ingenuity captures both the thrill of nature and cultural echoes

The Nujiang Grand Canyon Bookstore, designed by Chinese architectural firm TAO (Trace Architecture Office), serves as a cultural hub and public space, inviting both residents and visitors to explore its terraces and communal areas. The bookstore’s design incorporates elements of traditional Lisu architecture, such as a sloped roofline, but does so in an abstract manner.

The terraces are integrated into the building’s multi-level design, and creates open, panoramic spaces that extend the public area into the natural landscape. From these vantage points, visitors experience the dramatic transition from constructed space to the sweeping grandeur of the Nujiang Canyon. This seamless interaction between architecture and nature transforms the terraces into communal gathering points.

Nature and literature collide in this unique architectural landmark
Nature and literature collide in this unique architectural landmark

The alignment of the main terrace with Yangpo Village’s road reinforces the building's role as a communal extension, further cementing its status as an architectural landmark and cultural focal point. This thoughtful integration raises questions about how public spaces can effectively blend private cultural heritage with broader accessibility, fostering sustainable and inclusive use.

Source: TAO via Arcdaily

View gallery - 25 images
3 comments
3 comments
christopher
Books? Why? Should have made it a gallery, like Mona in Tasmania - it could have been an amazing icon that everyone would have loved, instead of something catering to more-or-less nobody these days.
Jinpa
Interesting building, but the Communist government limits what China's people can read: Nothing critical of the government. Form over substance.
TomLeeM
I think the combination of a bookstore and a great view is incredible. There might be a competition of which is the feature that draws the most people; the view or the books. The building also looks incredible.