Joanne Jing Chong

My Unfold project explored how interior design considers storytelling as a spatial experience. This space was designed for a book café at 2-38 Nuffield Street, Newmarket, with the intent to rethink reading as a spatial journey. Each chapter of the book café unfolds through light, texture, and material to create a narrative and sensorial experience in each zone of the journey. I wanted to consider manaakitanga to create an inviting and cosy atmosphere to facilitate slow productivity and connection. I tested transparent and tactile materials such as acrylic, calico, and paper textured finishes to influence emotion and flow. Each chapter of the journey presents a different mood. The opening chapter is full of social energy, for example, and in the contemplation chapter patrons can read quietly). Unfold demonstrates how design has the ability to transform everyday spaces through an immersive narrative and multisensory experience.