Bund Post Office
Ningbo’s Bund (Waitan) area holds high historic significance as the home of the province’s first post office. In establishing a new location on the banks of the Yongjiang River, the Bund Post Office sought to revive the establishment’s former significance and reestablish its role as the center of the community. The new premise therefore needed to evoke a sense of nostalgia and at the same time provoke the boundaries of what is traditionally associated with concept of the post office. The Bund Post Office chose to collaborate its efforts with the neighboring “Nordic Books” to place an emphasis on lifestyle, while adding contemporary cultural interests into the mix.
The Bund Post Office’s three floors are made up of the post counter and station, gift and souvenir retail displays, and a children’s play area that is also used for workshops and seasonal events.
Nostalgic forms combined with a festive palette featuring greens, white and rich shades of red allow the historic references to live in a contemporary context. A striking and dynamic white staircase structure sweeps through the space from the first floor up to the mezzanine, creating a bold visual statement while incorporating functional writing surfaces and retail display structures at the same time.
In its completed form, the Bund Post Office delivers a fresh perspective on the role of the post office in the modern setting. It reaches beyond its founding purpose of sending and receiving mail, and offers a hub where visitors can connect with one another through the sharing of gifts, memories, and events.
Interior photography: Wen Studio