This pocket park in Beijing blends community engagement with an independent bookstore, fostering emotion and reflection.
Contents
Background
In late 2022, Jetlag Books, an independent bookstore in Beijing, collaborated with the Swire Group and CATS Consulting Architects to create “Day and Night Park.” This temporary public cultural project aimed to establish a “new generation urban newsstand” in Sanlitun North, revitalizing the presence of reading in daily life while providing a unique space for community interaction and reflection amidst the urban bustle.
Design Concept and Objectives
Inspired by the ephemeral beauty of the Venus Belt, a rosy atmospheric phenomenon occurring at dawn and dusk, the design evokes a sense of journey and the passage of time. The structure, resembling a train car segment, is strategically positioned between rows of locust trees, offering a visual counterpoint to the surrounding commercial landscape. Its linear form, translucent panels, and color palette, shifting between rose-red and deep yellow throughout the day, capture the interplay of light and shadow, mimicking the changing hues of the Venus Belt.
Spatial Planning and Functionality
The 20.6-meter long and 2.7-meter wide newsstand draws inspiration from airplane cabin proportions. The ceiling rises gradually from 2.15 meters to 3.4 meters, with a subtle 3-degree rotation in the walls, creating a dynamic spatial flow that suggests the warping of time and space often associated with travel. One end, with its increased height, creates a sense of openness and invites passersby, while the lower end extends into a public area, encouraging relaxation and lingering. Within the newsstand, inclined bookshelves evoke the act of retrieving luggage from overhead compartments, further reinforcing the theme of journey and exploration.
Exterior Design and Aesthetics
The translucent panels, reminiscent of “color boards,” allow diffused natural light to fill the interior, creating a serene atmosphere. The structure’s vibrant hues, mimicking the Venus Belt, dynamically shift throughout the day, transforming the newsstand into a captivating visual landmark. The integration of outdoor greenery and semi-outdoor spaces beneath wing-like panels extends the newsstand’s function, creating a pocket park that provides respite and fosters community interaction within the commercial streetscape.
Materials and Sustainability
The design incorporates a steel structure with translucent color boards, ensuring both visual appeal and structural integrity. Bookshelves are interwoven with hand-wound hemp ropes, a sustainable material traditionally used to protect trees in winter. This detail adds a tactile dimension to the interior while highlighting the designers’ commitment to incorporating natural and sustainable materials.
Social and Cultural Impact
Day and Night Park exemplifies the potential of small-scale interventions to enrich urban life. By integrating a bookstore with a public park, it creates a social hub that promotes reading, community interaction, and cultural exchange. The design’s focus on human-scale elements, natural materials, and the interplay of light and shadow fosters a welcoming environment that encourages visitors to slow down, connect with their surroundings, and engage with the bookstore’s offerings.
Construction and Management
The project’s temporary nature demanded efficient construction and management strategies. The modular design and lightweight materials allowed for rapid assembly and disassembly, minimizing disruption to the surrounding environment. The collaboration between Jetlag Books, the Swire Group, and CATS Consulting Architects ensured seamless project execution, highlighting the importance of collaborative partnerships in realizing innovative urban interventions.
Project Information:
Architects: CATS Consulting Architects
Area: 50 m²
Project Year: 2024
Project Location: Chaoyang, Beijing
Lead Architects: Huang Wenxin, Chen Shengze
Design Team: Chen Xueli, Liu Lingyu, Liu Yigao, Luo Cheng, Li Keyan, Liu Qijia
Photographs: Zhu Yumeng, Ye Zi, Gao Fan
Project Type: Cultural Buildings, Public Buildings
Materials: Steel, Translucent Panels, Hemp Rope
Photographer: Zhu Yumeng, Ye Zi, Gao Fan
