The project is located on the fourth floor of Shanghai Arts and Crafts Factory Creative Park in Xuhui District. Dubbed Storyland, this children’s organization is dedicated to nurturing every child's interest in reading and encouraging creativity. With this mission in mind, MASS DESIGN transformed this former corporate office into a dual-use space, as functional as it is fun.
Considering Storyland’s specific purpose, MASS redefined the space into two sections - for work and for children. The children’s area includes a library, four workshop rooms, and a small theater.
The library sits at the center of the space. The design is inspired by a spacecraft, bringing education and entertainment together in an experimental space. MASS used rounded windows, arched doorways, and alcoves, enhanced by a rich color palette to create a reading environment reminiscent of space travel, launching children into the reaches of their imaginations, journeying through the books they read, exploring the unknown, and creating their own“Storyland”.
A thick partitioning wall, with its excellent soundproofing effect, makes for calm space within and bustling space outside - the library remains a quiet reading corner while outside lies a lively public venue.
In order to maximize natural light and create a transparent atmosphere that facilitates learning and playing, MASS used transparent glass windows and glass partitions. Transparent materials also break down the boundaries between different sections of the space to visually maximize interaction between regions, and allow staffs to keep a watchful eye over the safety of their children while playing.
Material selection for the overall space considered environmental conservation and safety. The floor material is composed of special PVC flooring, while the library's bookshelves use OSB board - just as the books themselves originally come from wood. MASS hoped to use these warm and safe materials to convey Storyland’s brand spirit, bringing children and books closer together.
