The new dynamic multifunctional hub for the New Star Press, transforms a traditionally private space, to an interactive and flexible one. Located on the sixth floor of the New Star Publishing House building on Chegongzhuang Street, Beijing, spanning approximately 300 square meters, the space serves as a social core for the next chapter of the company.
Created to be an interactive platform for a, traditionally closed publishing house, this space accommodates a wide array of programs, including a coffee bar, reading areas, as well as transformable spaces for book launches, and various social events. Despite the challenges posed by the building’s preexisting 1980s construction, a dense column grid, low ceilings, and a constrained usable area—Crossboundaries reimagined the space into a flexible and multifunctional environment. The design maximizes the space’s potential to host various activities, fostering a dynamic, creative atmosphere for social interaction.
Time Tunnel: Connecting Past and Future
The visitor enters through a passage—a “time tunnel”, symbolizing the transition between history and the future. Drawing inspiration from New Star Publishing House’s logo, the design of the tunnel incorporates the brand identity with an abstraction of elements from Chinese calligraphy and stone inscriptions, evoking the company’s cultural heritage.
The logo of New Star Publishing House features a star-like shape with radiating lines, representing both innovation and endless possibilities. Crossboundaries transformed the logo into a three-dimensional experience that visually connects the past with the future.
The “time tunnel” leads visitors from the elevator through a dark corridor, with subtly illuminated linear lights on walls and directing lines on the ground, arriving at the café, where the main space reveals itself.
As the space opens up, it unveils a vibrant world of creativity, illuminated by ample natural lighting and light colors, juxtaposing with the muted dark tunnel. The passage acts as a bridge between tradition and modernity, providing an immersive experience that invites exploration and curiosity.