A Very Small 24-hour Bookstore by SZ-ARCHITECTS, Hefei, China

A Very Small 24-hour Bookstore by SZ-ARCHITECTS is a compelling example of how architecture can transform forgotten structures into meaningful community spaces. Located in Hefei’s Hechai 1972 Creative Park, once a former prison complex, the project reimagines an abandoned guard tower as a tiny, continuously open bookstore that serves both residents and visitors. 

The origin of the project is almost accidental. While visiting the site for another commission, the architects noticed the neglected guard tower and immediately recognized its potential. Despite its modest size and rigid past function, the structure offered a unique opportunity to create a micro-scale cultural space rooted in memory and transformation.

The existing building presented significant constraints. The ground floor measured only seven square meters, while the upper level functioned as a patrol platform. Remnants of its former use, such as observation openings and metal fixtures, remained visible, emphasizing the building’s historical identity. Rather than erasing these traces, the design embraces them, allowing the new function to coexist with the old narrative.

A critical aspect of the intervention was structural reinforcement. Due to the lack of original documentation, new assessments were conducted, and the building was strengthened using steel elements and high-ductility materials. The most innovative solution is the introduction of a suspended structural system, where the new floor is hung from reinforced roof beams using steel hanger rods. This approach minimizes additional load while maximizing usable space.

The design extends beyond the original footprint. A cantilevered balcony is added, creating an external reading platform that connects the interior with the surrounding park. This gesture transforms the once-isolated tower into an open and engaging public space, inviting interaction and participation.

Internally, the bookstore is organized with remarkable efficiency. Bookshelves line all four sides, making full use of the compact Space.Reading desks are integrated into the structural system, combining stability with lightness. Sliding windows at each corner open the space to panoramic views, dissolving the boundary between inside and outside.

The project also introduces subtle geometric modifications. Due to nearby high-voltage cables, the roof was rotated and trimmed into a clover-like form, giving the building a distinctive identity while addressing safety constraints. Materials such as wood-plastic composite decking are used to reduce weight and enhance durability.

Beyond its physical transformation, the bookstore carries a strong social vision. Open 24 hours a day, it operates on trust and community engagement. The collection began with the owner’s personal books and continues to grow through public donations. Walls are intended to be covered with postcards and messages, turning the space into a living archive of shared thoughts and experiences.

The presence of stray cats, adopted as part of the bookstore’s identity, adds a layer of warmth and informality. Together with the open-access model, this creates an environment that feels welcoming and inclusive, rather than institutional.

Ultimately, A Very Small 24-hour Bookstore is an architecture of care, reuse, and imagination. It demonstrates how even the smallest spaces can have a profound cultural impact when designed with sensitivity and creativity. By transforming a symbol of Governing into a place of openness and community, SZ-ARCHITECTS redefine the role of architecture as a catalyst for social connection.

All the Photograaphs are works of Mata Okawa