The phenomenon of libraries and bookshops in remote rural areas is particularly intriguing for those interested in contemporary architecture in China. It stands out not only for its widespread presence - which is surprising in a country largely governed by economies of scale - but also as an inventive response by many policies, both central and local, aimed at mitigating the depopulation of rural villages. Equally striking is the growing support this movement receives from an increasing number of “frontier architects,” a collective writing an important chapter in today’s Chinese culture, with a renewed appreciation for heritage and a forward-looking perspective.

Indeed, since Li Xiaodong’s rural library project near Beijing in 2011 – one of the first in China’s countryside – a fertile path has opened for many designers drawn to the rich, often unexplored folklore and knowledge inaccessible to urbanized inhabitants. Looking at the works of He Wei, Hua Li, and Zhang Lei among those in this collection, it becomes clear that historical heritage in these projects is not a relic to be embalmed or mimicked. Instead, it serves as a wellspring of constructive solutions, inspiring the creation of a new architectural tradition capable of absorbing remnants of a past not so distant – one that some seek to outgrow, while others are drawn back to escape the alienation of megacities.

Many of these crossings, between departures and returns, are formed by new architectural spaces that go well beyond simply housing books. On the contrary, they open up to both old and new users, creating spaces where people who may not know each other can meet, bridging cultures, enhancing local resources, and fostering trust within local communities, now represented by increasingly diverse groups.

The Avantgarde Librairie chain, which over the years has commissioned the construction of numerous libraries in Chinese villages, exemplifies a trend gaining momentum—driven partly by domestic tourism and partly by initiatives to encourage a return to rural areas. The libraries and bookstores of this wellknown Nanjing brand, some of which are introduced here, have become an established and recognized format capable of sparking movement between the city and the countryside. This is largely due to their promise of architectural and cultural quality that meets the high expectations of their audience.

Today, a new layer of interpretation overlays the sense of continuity within rural traditions, connected to the uses that humble buildings of the past – dredeemed by avantgarde architectural interventions on existing structures or through entirely new constructions – can still serve, or perhaps will host for the first time. This marks the beginning of new life cycles and new possibilities for the development of rural society, one that is still in search of its own identity.

Dramatically positioned on the cliffs of Guangdong, this building merges book consultation with an immersive, contemplative experience of the landscape. The structure rests upon the coastal undulations, blending abstract geometries – such as the circular rooftop water basin and the line marking the pedestrian entrance – with natural elements like the massive rocks on the slope. A long white wall guides the visitor, drawing their gaze to the horizon reflected in the evocative drop of water, before leading them into a shaded space that opens to a 270degree glass wall surrounding the reading room: a space fully immersed in the coastal landscape.

A new bookstore with complementary services – including exhibition spaces, a small theater, and a bar – introduces a unique experience within a series of courtyards that once housed a prestigious academy in the heart of a traditional town. Historical and contemporary elements blend together, unified by two new galleries for book displays that, passing through a pavilion, physically connect the ends of the constructed system. One of these galleries, situated on the main public square, has been entirely reimagined with a new concrete structure that houses the theater and showcases some of the volumes for sale, facing the plaza. The courtyards’ dimensions and the imposing trees are integrated into the galleries, creating a harmonious space.

This library and bookstore emerged from the transformation of an old stable and adjoining granary in a village in Fujian, designed to promote tourism through the rediscovery of historic sites (where the notable scholar Yang once stayed). Tailored for children, the architecture dramatizes the relationship between the weightiness of stone and the lightness of wood, allowing young readers to experience the space and the materials it comprises, ultimately granting them a new view of the surrounding landscape. The approach to tradition here is critical - adhering to traditional materials and forms, yet diverging in certain construction techniques, particularly in the use of wood and the sense of fragility that perhaps best conveys the essence of building in rural areas.

The ruins of an ancient house are reborn through structural reinforcement and a reimagining of space that repurposes existing materials like compacted raw earth. The new concrete structure introduces a series of spatial expansions and contractions that reconfigure uses, creating a variety of environments where readers can explore the coexistence of old and new. This interplay is also expressed in the ways natural light enters the building: from the dimly lit book storage areas, to softly illuminated reading and multipurpose spaces, and finally to the open, fully immersed refreshment area overlooking the agricultural landscape. A metal umbrellalike structure collects and channels rainwater, integrating sustainability into the design.

In a village nestled on hillside slopes descending into a lake, two buildings have been transformed to house a cultural center and a workshop dedicated to the art of papercutting, along with a community library designed to engage all generations. Both buildings leverage their connection to the natural beauty of the landscape through selective demolitions and reconstructions—some faithful to the original structure, others with a distinctly contemporary twist. This approach allows the community to enjoy the benefits of the new intervention while preserving a sense of continuity with the village’s historical legacy.

The landscape surrounding the site - verdant mountains and wetlands, recognized for its exceptional beauty - is reinterpreted in abstract form within this library building. The traditional Chinese landscape is miniaturized and reassembled to a human scale, much like the classic gardens of mandarin residences. Here, however, the process involves threedimensional pixelation that, as the architects themselves note, draws inspiration from the popular video game Minecraft, not only in its blocklike visuals but also in its concept of exploring the boundary between virtuality and reality. Additionally, this approach navigates the space between interior and exterior, formal and informal.

This project is an attempt to introduce cultural services in suburban areas that lack particular noteworthy features. However, the architects do not shy away from creating spatial relationships with the surroundings, either by framing or opening views, providing sheltered areas under coverings, or emphasizing connections with green spaces. For instance, the stairs rest on terraces that become spots for pausing and observing the landscape. Inside, the design of large stepped spaces offers various possibilities for use and opportunities for social interaction. The library and the adjoining cultural center result from a collection of heterogeneous parts, yet they never amount to a sum of elements indifferent to their surroundings; rather, each component responds to the presence of the neighboring objects.

Designed to expand the availability of community spaces in the village of Tailing, this library features significant visual permeability with the adjacent square, filtered through a generous porch where visitors can linger or find more intimate areas. The spaces are interconnected, thanks in part to the superfurniture of the library - a largescale design piece that not only holds books but also provides reading stations. A spacious ceiling constructed with aluminum elements finished in local lime gathers and distributes zenithal light, creating an enveloping and comfortable atmosphere.

Another historic building made of rammed earth has been consolidated and expanded: a box within a box, delineated by semitransparent membranes, creates an almost spiritual space suspended both physically in the void and metaphorically between the solidity of earth and wood and the immateriality of light pouring in from above. Fullheight shelves organize the spaces, reinforcing the existing structural grid, while generous staircases - one of which leads to a terrace immersed in the hilly landscape - offer a new perspective on the building and provide informal areas for consulting texts.