A Riverside Retail Destination That Celebrates Nordic Life

Helsinki-based design studio Yatofu Creatives designed Ningbo retail destination Nordic Books as a celebration of Nordic design and culture, as well as of its historic building’s past. We spoke with studio founders Angela Lindahl and Yihan Xiang to find out more about the project and their unique approach

Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client?

Angela Lindahl (AL): We first met the client when they were visiting Helsinki. We went to a local bar near our studio, and the client mentioned that they really appreciated the lifestyle they observed in Finland — here people don’t seem to be too stressed or in a hurry. We exchanged many thoughts about the lifestyle and value differences between the Nordic countries and East Asia, and since Yihan and I have lived in both, we were able to bring a more personal and fresh perspective to the topic.

What was the brief to you for the project?

Yihan Xiang (YX): It’s quite rare that we actually get to craft the brief with the client. They came to us with a broader vision, and following many discussions we landed on Nordic Books, an experiential retail destination where both the premise and its offerings would showcase Nordic design, publications and lifestyle products and services. We set out to create a non-traditional bookstore with unique features like a dessert bar, a showroom and gallery, a retail space and event space.

Also included in the brief were design challenges that needed to be addressed. While the main focus of the business is to be an authentic representation of Nordic design and lifestyle, it was still important to cater to the local market and visitors. Our biggest design challenge was to find a balance between authenticity of concept and appealing to local tastes.

What is the overall size of the space?

YX: The space is 570 square metres spread over four floors.

Where is the store?

YX: Nordic Books is in a historic building on the banks of Ningbo’s Yongjiang River, which is also called the Old Bund. It was once an old port and has become a hub for city life, museums, local creatives, bars and restaurants.

How did you approach the project — what design references or narrative did you try to incorporate into the space?

AL: We wanted to emphasise the experience and how visitors feel in the space. Since Nordic Books is intended to offer people a glimpse of Nordic culture and lifestyle, rather than just pushing the design aesthetic, we wanted to create a slice of the Nordic lifestyle in the centre of the Old Bund, using design as a communication tool and facilitator.

We envisioned Nordic Books as a representative of the Nordic region itself, and imagined how it could represent the actual experience of being there. We set out to create the easy-going and mindful vibe we first discussed with our clients over casual drinks at our local bar in Helsinki. From the inviting atmosphere of the dessert bar and cafe on the first floor, to the immersive experience of browsing, shopping or visiting cultural exhibitions and events, we designed the space to allow customers to experience it at their own pace.

Nordic Books was also designed with consideration for its historical context. We didn’t want the interior to feel too disconnected from the building and its location, but instead wanted to preserve characteristics of the original structure. While the interior style is inspired by Nordic design, we wanted to be respectful of the history and stories of the original building and site, and therefore left elements that convey its past.

Please tell us a little about the material choices for the space.

YX: We chose haptic materials that invite people to touch and feel them. For example, all wall surfaces are covered in textural micro-cement, the counters are made of various natural stones, and most of the design elements use natural materials or materials with organic textures. We also selected materials that will age well, like bricks, limestone, wood and oxidised metal.

Which elements are custom designed?

YX: Our projects always feature plenty of custom fittings and furnishings. For example, we needed to find flexible solutions for displaying lifestyle products in the retail space, and so we designed several sets of sculptural pieces with different forms, volumes and textures. These don’t only serve practical functions, they make up the character of the space. We wanted the retail section to feel like a sculpture gallery within a shopping area.

Do you have a favourite element or design detail in the architecture or interiors?

AL: One of our favourite parts of the entire space is the staircase structure. Our first step in renovating the existing stairwell was to carefully remove the plaster layers that covered the four-storey-high supporting wall. We preserved and restored the original brick wall so that it became this brick pillar that reaches up through the entire building. We then contrasted its roughness with a rounded ivory railing structure that’s visible as soon as you enter the building. The brick wall became something that isn’t only beautiful but also quite meaningful.  While removing the plaster layers and restoring the brick wall, we uncovered the original brickmaker’s mark, hidden behind layers applied over the years. Now it’s visible to all visitors and serves as a reminder of the historic building’s past.

Images by Wen Studio