A striking architectural transformation has breathed new life into a 20-year-old office building near one of China's most famous tourist destinations. The Goldmye bookstore chain has converted the structure into a modern bookstore and event center, working with Suzhou-based Atelier WenArch to create a stunning example of adaptive reuse architecture.

The project is located at the northern entrance to Xixi Wetland National Park in Hangzhou, a bustling metropolis where the mighty Qiantang River flows into the East China Sea. Water plays a central role in this city of millions, with the renowned West Lake ranking among China's top tourist attractions and the 2,500-acre Xixi Wetland National Park serving as a strictly protected marshland ecosystem that draws countless visitors each year.

The original building presented both opportunities and challenges for the renovation team. Rather than a typical office structure, the property featured a distinctive U-shaped design with two stories elevated on concrete pillars above one of the wetland's extensive water features. Despite this prime waterfront location, the existing building remained largely closed off from its surroundings, offering limited direct connection to either the water or the surrounding landscape. Only a single terrace in the courtyard provided employees with water views.

Atelier WenArch's approach involved a dramatic deconstruction and reconstruction process. The architects stripped almost the entire building back to its structural framework, creating spacious interior connections while establishing new relationships with the outdoor environment. The old driveway was transformed into a curved pedestrian bridge that now serves as the primary entrance to the facility.

The ground floor underwent a complete opening transformation, with the architects installing ribbon windows on all sides that can be fully folded away during warm weather. Angled metal plates positioned in front of these windows now function as sun protection elements. While they appear to be movable components at first glance, giving the building the appearance of an opened machine, these are actually fixed architectural elements that create a dynamic visual effect.

The renovated interior spaces feature loose zoning that accommodates multiple functions seamlessly. Visitors can now enjoy a coffee bar, reading salon, large sitting steps, extensive bookshelves, and numerous seating areas throughout the space. The renovation also added both an outdoor terrace and rooftop terrace, along with a dedicated events area and a remarkable "book tower" – an inward-facing gallery on the first floor complete with surrounding stepped seating.

The water-facing portions of the building received perhaps the most dramatic treatment, with most of the old facades replaced by floor-to-ceiling glazing that maximizes the connection to the wetland environment. The interior design emphasizes clean, white spaces dominated by simple wooden installations that serve multiple purposes: as seating steps, as floating rows of bookshelves, and as double boards screwed to the support columns under the ceilings, with the hollow spaces cleverly concealing the building's mechanical systems.

This project represents part of a broader trend in Chinese architecture, where bookstores and libraries have become showcases for innovative design. The transformation demonstrates how thoughtful renovation can honor a building's structural integrity while completely reimagining its relationship to both its natural setting and its intended use, creating a cultural destination that serves both the local community and the millions of tourists who visit this remarkable wetland preserve each year.