Wutopia Lab Unveils “Heart Fields,” a Rural Bookstore and Homestay in China

Wutopia Lab has introduced “Heart Fields,” a distinctive project located in Lindu Warm Village, Shanglin Village, China. This development transforms three abandoned houses and a courtyard into a rural bookstore with integrated overnight accommodations, reflecting a thoughtful approach to revitalizing rural spaces.

The project, completed in February 2024, is the third collaboration between Wutopia Lab and the Lindu Warm Village area, following their work on Section Homestay and Mountain Muse Lodging & Nature. The design prioritizes the preservation of the original entrance house and the well, maintaining the area’s original scale and the memories associated with it.

Challenging the Clichés of Rural Design

Wutopia Lab noted the prevalent trends in rural bookstore design, often falling into predictable patterns like the overuse of rammed-earth walls, forced white aesthetics, or the integration of stereotypical rural elements. The firm aimed to create a design that was contextually appropriate for Suzhou, avoiding these common pitfalls.

A Breakthrough in Juxtaposition

The design inspiration emerged from observing the varied textures on the surfaces of the existing buildings, which revealed layers of construction and their historical interrelations. This led to a design strategy of crisp juxtaposition, contrasting new construction with a dark finish against the preserved white elements of the original structures. The new and old volumes are interlocked and staggered, separated by a gap, and align with the existing textures. This contrast extends to hues, public versus private areas, and the overall volume of the buildings.

Functional Layout and Private Retreats

The volumetric contrast informs the functional layout. The renovated building comprises two main volumes. The first, a single-story pitched-roof house, contains a café and a library. The second volume houses the bookstore on the ground floor, surrounded by bookshelves, and a salon area. The second floor is dedicated to homestay accommodation.

A key design feature is the integration of four homestay rooms cleverly hidden behind bookshelves on the ground floor. Each room has a private internal staircase, resolving spatial challenges within the compact footprint and ensuring guest privacy. These hidden entrances allow guests to access their rooms without disturbing others or the public bookstore area. At night, the bookstore can transition into a private space for homestay guests.

Rooms on the south side feature cantilevered floor slabs creating “lie flat” terraces, while the north side offers recessed balconies carved from the existing volume, designed for interaction with the rear site.

Recognition and Restraint

Wutopia Lab intentionally delayed the project’s release for two years, preferring to observe its integration and reception in the rural setting. “Heart Fields” has since gained recognition, being named one of the “2025 Jiangsu’s Most Beautiful Bookstore Cases” and designated a “New Public Cultural Space” development target for 2025 by the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

Furthermore, Xu Tao, a co-founder of the bookstore, was recognized as a “Rural Reading Promoter” for 2026 at the 5th National Reading Conference for his contributions to rural literacy. Wutopia Lab expressed satisfaction with the appreciation for this “understated and restrained rural bookstore.”

Key facts
| Feature | Detail |
|—|—|
| Project Name | Heart Fields |
| Location | Shanglin Village, Suzhou, China |
| Architect | Wutopia Lab |
| Completion Date | February 2024 |
| Function | Rural Bookstore and Overnight Homestay |
| Notable Features | Preservation of original structures, contrasting new and old volumes, hidden homestay rooms |

The success of “Heart Fields” highlights a nuanced approach to rural development, demonstrating how contemporary design can respect and integrate with existing heritage, fostering community and cultural engagement in non-urban settings.

Source: Amazing Architecture – Heart Fields, Shanglin Village, China by Wutopia Lab – https://amazingarchitecture.com/store/heart-fields-shanglin-village-china-by-wutopia-lab

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