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Wutopia Lab Turns Factory into Bookstore in China
Wuto-mills, a sub-brand of Wutopia Lab, reimagines the former Zisha Second Factory site as Ceramic Pages, a pottery-themed bookstore. Designed in collaboration with Duoyun Bookstore, the project joins the UCCA Clay Museum by Kengo Kuma at the Yixing Creative & Cultural Ceramic Avenue (CCCA) in Dingshu Town, China, covering an area of 2,087 square meters.
The project reflects the client’s philosophy that “making pots is like being a man.” Conceived under the guidance of chief architect Yu Ting, Ceramic Pages narrates the journey of crafting purple clay teapots, using architecture to symbolize the three transformative stages of the process: clay preparation, kiln firing, and completion.
The Wuto-mills team organizes the layout across three distinct levels, each representing a phase in pottery-making and personal growth. The ground floor, dedicated to clay preparation and shaping, evokes the beginnings of life and craft. Custom bookshelves mimic this evolution, symbolizing the journey from innocence to maturity.
A striking “spout” connects all three floors, introducing skylight and metaphorically tying the narrative together. On the first floor, a fiery café and shop immerse visitors in the kiln firing stage. Vibrant red and blue elements paired with a cavernous layout simulate the intense heat of the kiln, conveying themes of self-improvement and perseverance. The seating in the café subtly mirrors the architectural language of Kengo Kuma’s UCCA Clay Museum, drawing visual parallels to its organic forms and materiality.
The third floor represents completion, likened to a finished teapot. Here, visitors encounter a serene “water wonderland” with ripple-effect flooring, ceilings, and display racks. Luminous ceiling panels suggest an ethereal connection between sky and water, emphasizing the tranquility of a perfected craft. This gallery space displays exquisite pottery while symbolizing life’s ultimate sublimation, encapsulating Wuto-Mills’ ethos of “architecture is action.”
The facade of the building features ceramic hanging panels, echoing the cultural significance of the material. Glass Reinforced Gypsum (GRG), colored micro-cement, and perforated aluminum panels complement the thematic journey inside the project. A “terrace of flames” beneath the ceramic facade links the indoor and outdoor narratives, visually connecting Ceramic Pages with its cultural context.
Ceramic Pages is a vibrant hub of contemporary ceramic culture, reimagining the former Zisha Second Factory site as a pottery-themed bookstore designed by Wuto-mills, a sub-brand of Wutopia Lab. The project is a testament to the power of architecture to transform and revitalize urban spaces, inviting visitors to engage with the art of pottery and its significance in Chinese culture.
The earthy-yellow interiors transition from dark to light, reflecting the journey of crafting a teapot, from raw material to finished product. The design of Ceramic Pages is a masterclass in storytelling, weaving together narrative, architecture, and art to create a unique and immersive experience that celebrates the beauty of ceramics and the art of pottery-making.
Through its use of color, texture, and form, Ceramic Pages pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of ceramics in China, while also showcasing the innovative and creative approach of Wuto-mills and Wutopia Lab. This project is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in ceramics, architecture, and design.
Closing the article, Ceramic Pages is a testament to the power of architecture to transform and revitalize urban spaces, inviting visitors to engage with the art of pottery and its significance in Chinese culture. The project’s unique blend of storytelling, architecture, and art has created a truly unique and immersive experience that celebrates the beauty of ceramics and the art of pottery-making.
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