Huge arched doorways lead to a suite of cosy wood-lined reading nooks in this children's library in Shanghai, designed by Muxin Studio to be like a "giant toy".

With this in mind, Muxin Studio avoided sharp corners, hard materials and straight lines to ensure the children's safety, and added light-toned materials and touches of greenery.

"It's an attempt to turn the space itself into a giant toy, in which children can freely explore, discover and create their own lively experience," the architects explained.
"We are aiming to create a cozy and amicable places for children to read and play, a place that inspires their imagination and creativity."
Lined with wood, the alcoves feature low level benches for the children to sit and read, either on their own or with their parents privately.

"We grow green plants on the boundaries where different spaces meet, which helps sustaining the dynamic among person, space and nature," said the studio.

Intended as a more social area, the main space features wooden bookshelves that encircle a play space with a grass-like carpeting. The ceiling above is black ? when the lights are on it looks like a night sky.
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