Jetlag Books' latest shop nods to Soviet-style supply store in Beijing: A Blend of Past and Present
The opening of Jetlag Books' Friendship Store in Beijing is a fascinating example of how architecture can pay homage to history while creating a unique and contemporary space. This new bookshop, designed by Studio NOR, is a thoughtful nod to the site's past, drawing inspiration from the Soviet-style supply store that once occupied the space.
A Historical Context
The Friendship Store, built in 1972, was a service building for the neighbouring complex. Its Soviet-style facade and Bauhaus-informed volumes have been carefully studied and reinterpreted by Studio NOR. The design team aimed to preserve the building's essence while creating a new, modern experience.
Blending Past and Present
Jetlag Books' approach to the design is a delicate balance between continuity and change. They wanted to avoid a 'time capsule' effect, instead creating a space that blends the past with the present. The result is a building that connects the building and the street, the brand and the community, and the past with the present.
Design Elements
The L-shaped plan of the bookshop combines the original 1970s service building with a steel-structured addition from the 2010s. Studio NOR's intervention includes a new facade with thick walls, deep-set windows, and overhanging eaves, paying homage to the neighbouring Friendship Store. The existing doors and windows were lowered to create a more inviting, human-scale presence on the street.
A Central Hub
At the heart of the bookshop is an 8.5-metre-long bar, which serves as a connector between the book display area and a multi-functional space. The display area features modular stainless steel bookshelves showcasing Jetlag Books' travel-themed collection, set off by glazed wall tiles and matt-black flooring. The central bar area, with its dark green and brown tiles, is described as the most visually dynamic space in the bookstore.
A Multi-Functional Space
The multi-functional area at the northern end of the bookshop serves as a seating area for the cafe. Moveable furniture allows for flexibility, accommodating exhibitions, events, and pop-up activities. Suspended ceilings expose the building's steel and concrete roofs, echoing the neighbouring Friendship Store with grey-toned concrete walls and terrazzo floors.
A Thoughtful Nod to the Past
The design of the cantilevered steel overhangs above the doors and windows is a direct reference to the original Friendship Store architecture and its Soviet-style contemporaries. This attention to detail ensures that the new bookshop pays homage to its historical context while creating a unique and contemporary space.
A New Chapter
Jetlag Books Friendship Store is the latest addition to the brand, founded in 2020 by designer Li Guanru and editor Lian Ziqiang. The design team, including Boyuan Jiang, Jingwen Wang, Shuo Yang, Jin Gan, Yichen Jin, and Chenxiao Yan, has created a space that is both a nod to the past and a fresh, modern experience for book lovers in Beijing.
