Wutopia Lab’s The Satori Harbor Library blends metaphorical architecture with immersive design, evoking a symbolic journey of self-cultivation.
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Symbolic Design Inspired by Taoist Philosophy
The Satori Harbor, a headquarters library for Vipshop designed by Wutopia Lab, opened in Guangzhou in November 2023. Its name, “Chaoche,” originates from the Taoist text “Zhuangzi,” representing a state of thorough enlightenment, like the morning sun illuminating the world. Architect Yu Ting envisioned the library as a microcosm of the human world, an abstract port city guiding readers towards enlightenment through reading and immersive experiences, ultimately achieving a state of “Xiaoyaoyou” or “carefree wandering.” The Satori Harbor Library is a symbolic space representing the journey of self-cultivation.
Metaphorical Port City: Inner City and Outer Harbor
A tunnel leads visitors into the metaphorical city, located on the 18th and 19th floors of the Vipshop headquarters building. The journey is designed to evoke a sense of exploration, with a sound installation of ocean waves at the tunnel’s end hinting at the port city’s connection to the sea. The “inner city” on the 19th floor houses the Rare Books Room, Qin Room, meeting rooms, salon spaces, and the Gallery of Exquisite Objects, inspired by European salons filled with curated items from around the world. The “outer harbor” includes the lobby, café, magazine reading area with boulder-like sofas, and the Theater of Exquisite Objects, offering panoramic views and sunlight. These areas are designed to symbolize the bustling activity and connection to the outside world.
The Satori Harbor: A Symbolic Vessel of Enlightenment
The library’s design incorporates continuous arches, evoking a sense of the vast sky and an abstract harmony between the heavens, water, and the city. Bookshelves form the city walls, providing a vantage point to observe the metaphorical harbor’s activities. Yu Ting’s fascination with the symbolism of ports, representing wealth and the unknown world, stems from his childhood memories of a scene in the film “Phileas Fogg,” where thousands cheer for a ship in the Marseille harbor. The Satori Harbor library itself becomes a “good object” housing a collection of curated items, a surreal presence within the Vipshop headquarters building.
A Journey of Self-Cultivation: Minimalism and Transcendence
Drawing inspiration from the Taoist concept of “Xuzhe,” or emptying the mind, Yu Ting created a minimalist environment. He stripped away unnecessary colors, materials, and textures, unifying the 2,000 square meter space in continuous shades of gray and white with a stone-like texture, punctuated by fragments of real-world memories like patterned tiles and Manchurian windows. The library’s walls are perforated with openings, allowing light to filter in from various angles and blurring the boundaries between the interior and exterior, creating a timeless atmosphere.
Experiencing Transcendence: Light, Space, and the Red Sail
At the end of the inner city, Yu Ting placed an unexpected space – the “Xiaopeng Fairy Hall” – an egg-shaped cave where heaven and earth blend seamlessly. A specially designed lighting installation creates a sense of timelessness and spacelessness. Light enters through an opening, inviting visitors to connect with the spirit of the universe. In the harbor, a white ship – the “Ark of Exquisite Objects” – offers a unique perspective. Standing at the bow, visitors overlook the Pearl River, with the old Guangzhou Thirteen Factories façade on one side and the modern cityscape on the other. This juxtaposition aims to create a sense of detachment from the present, a state of “no past, no present.” The red sail behind the ship, when lowered, becomes a declaration of liberation from material possessions, embracing the vast sky, and soaring high above the world.
Wutopia Lab’s First Interior Project in Guangzhou
The Satori Harbor Library marks Wutopia Lab’s first interior design project in Guangzhou, and the first of two symbolic ships Yu Ting plans to build for the city. The second ship, anticipated to be completed next year, will be dedicated to the followers of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and festivity. This project showcases Wutopia Lab’s signature blend of magical realism and functionality, transforming an everyday space into a symbolic journey of self-discovery.
Project Information:
Project Type: Library
Architects: Wutopia Lab
Lead Architects: Yu Ting
Project Team: Guo Yuchen, Yang Siqi, Zhan Bodi
Design Consultant: STUDIO YUDA
Construction Drawing Deepening Team: Shanghai Chengyu Space Design Co., Ltd.
Interior Design Construction Drawings: Dai Yunfeng, Wu Xiaoyan, Guo Jianv, Zhao Ruyi
Mechanical and Electrical Design: Zhang Minmin, Shi Jianglong, Kuang Jing, Zhu Busen, Hu Lei
Project Manager and General Coordinator: Li Sha, Liu Hui
Building Materials: Stucco, terrazzo
Architectural Photography: CreatAR Images
Project Year: 2023
Project Country: China
