Fangsuo Commune is a multi-functional cultural space designed by Chinese practice Chu Chih-Kang Space Design in Chengdu’s city center, China. It combines a bookstore, aesthetic pavilion, cafe, art gallery and independent fashion brand. Fangsuo Commune it’s hidden at the underground level of the commercial streets, which surrounds the Daci Temple. Therefore architects had a bold idea of creating a modern underground “Sutra Depository”. Sutra depository is a private place to store all kinds of knowledge, such as books, sutras, and letters in ancient China. Many raw materials and techniques were used to resemble the scene of an ancient sutra depository, for example, concrete columns with large cutting surfaces, bookcases in the loft, the bridge and catwalk across the bookcases.
“We think the bookstore should embody the concept of human history, culture, and wisdom; and it should embrace the past and unknown future with a grand vision.” said architects. They used the elements of planet diagram and constellation, and a sculpture of ark in the form of a meteorite to visualize this idea. “We want to create a gateway leading to a sacred and unknown world, just like a ‘Legend’ forever.”
all images courtesy of CHU CHIH-KANG SPACE DESIGN