Wutopia Lab's steel structure creates a bookstore in a former church
by Stu Robarts | 02 Mar 2020
– Yu Ting
Wutopia Lab have transformed a former church in China into a 388sq m (4,176sq ft) poetry bookstore by installing a large freestanding steel frame that provides shelving and creates a space within a space.
The St. Nicholas Church in Shanghai was built in 1932 and has variously been used as an office, a factory, a warehouse, a canteen, a residential space, a club and a restaurant.
Its historic status meant that no existing façade, structural system, basic floor plan or distinctive interior decoration could be altered.
Having removed unnecessary elements that they could and carried out some preservation work, Wutopia constructed the steel frame to slot within the main hall just 50cm (20in) from the walls.
Around 3,500 steel plates weighing a total of 45 tons (41 tonnes) were used, with the structure rising to 9.9m (32.5ft).
The shelving provides space for 1,000 books and still allows light from the building's windows to filter into the central space.
The space also features a retail counter and part of the building has been converted into a café for visitors.
Yu Ting, chief architect for the project at Wutopia, said: "A continuation of Wutopia Lab’s design style, magical realism based on antithesis, perforated steel plates, translucent, uncertain light, colour and dramatic poetry can be found in the poetry store."
Wutopia Lab church Shanghai China retail
The steel frame sits within the main hall of the former church Credit: CreatAR Images
The frame allows light from the building's windows to filter into the central space Credit: CreatAR Images
The structure rises to a height of 9.9m (32.5ft) Credit: CreatAR Images
The structure sits just 50cm (20in) within the walls of the space Credit: CreatAR Images
Lighting consultancy was provided by Chloe Zhang Credit: CreatAR Images
The shelving provides space for 1,000 books Credit: CreatAR Images
Unnecessary elements were removed and some preservation work was carried out before the installation Credit: CreatAR Images
The historic status of the building meant that very little of it could be changed Credit: CreatAR Images
Part of the building was converted to house a café Credit: CreatAR Images
The café provides refreshments and a place for visitors to sit and read Credit: CreatAR Images
Wutopia Lab have transformed a former church in China into a 388sq m (4,176sq ft) poetry bookstore by installing a large freestanding steel frame that provides shelving and creates a space within a space. The St. Nicholas Church in Shanghai was built in 1932 and has variously been used as an office, a factory, a warehouse, a canteen, a residential space, a club and a restaurant. Its historic status meant
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