Architecture & Design &Books Entropy | 06 Apr 2010
Oasis of knowledge
Oasis of knowledge – Architecture & Arrangement
They are places of peacefulness, where books never lose their significance. Libraries and bookshops are at the centre of cultural life. The Livraria da Vila bookshop in Sao Paulo is a contemporary and, in its architectural arrangement, a highly interesting and consistent interpretation of a bookshop.
When refurbishing a two-storey house that had been built on a very narrow plot in São Paulo, it was clear to the designers from start that an open plan was needed, as to better arrange the products on offer, as well as the circulation of customers.
The inclusion of an additional basement level allowed for the setting up of an entire floor exclusively for children, in addition to a small auditorium to hold courses and lectures. With the aim to create a sense of openness and an architecturally inviting space for customers to peacefully and comfortably browse through the shelves, the Livraria da Vila was realised in a composition of low-ceiling spaces, dark tones, indirect lighting and infinite rows of shelves which, in careful disarray, cover all walls to the ceiling.
Whichever direction the customer looks, there were to be books everywhere – an architecture that conveys the unpretentious feel of an antiquarian bookshop. These kinds of well-considered alterations yielded a highly pleasing atmosphere of peacefulness, an atmosphere that is further enhanced by the implementation of pivoting window-shelf-doors and void spaces that connect one floor to the next.
A flush glass surface when closed, these pivoting doors open to turn into sales areas when opened. These elements too seem to invite customers into the world of books – intrigued, they enter and explore the Livraria da Vila.
An hermetic volume with a pivoting book facade contains an interesting space filled with books distributed over 3 levels as you can see on the photos:
The Livraria da Vila bookshop
Design Firm: Isay Weinfeld, São Paulo, Brazil
on 06 Apr 2010 at 11:47 am 1.Bhavesh said …
What an amazing Bookstore !!! The concept of an open feel enviorment brings out the vibrant colours of the books. Very well made store. One could just camp here for hours.
B.
on 07 Apr 2010 at 3:49 am 2.Michele said …
Gorgeous!
Thank you Ajay.
on 07 Apr 2010 at 3:14 pm 3.Rajeev Sathe said …
Very interesting. I liked the ‘home feel’ of the shop. Thanks Ajay.
on 10 Apr 2010 at 2:50 pm 4.Rajesh Kothari said …
I feel like opening a bookshop and spending rest of my life there.
Rajesh