Reading matter: Second Home's bookshop, Libreria, opens its doors
Following up on their acclaimed work for one of London's key creative work spaces, Second Home, architects José Selgas and Lucía Cano of Selgascano have just unveiled their newest collaboration with the company's founders, Rohan Silva and Sam Aldenton; Libreria is the capital's latest heaven for book-lovers.
Sitting opposite the Second Home premises, East London's 'space for entrepreneurs and creative businesses', this new book shop, printing press and multimedia space on 65 Hanbury Street is a celebration of reading. The space explores new ways of presenting and displaying books – there's even a record player and whisky bar on site. 'We wanted to maximise the sense of discovery, via general themes, such as Mother, Madonnas And Whores,' explains director Sally Davies.
Setting up a bookshop is not about nostalgia, Silva assures us. 'Libreria has been years in the making – we believe in the value of books and literature and have wanted to do this for a long time,' he says. 'Across industries we are seeing a return to physical, material things and a fresh appreciation of craftsmanship. These things are not being killed by the digital; they are being given new life.'
The design concept was just as well thought out, using literary references and clever materials. The architecture 'draws inspiration from Jorge Borges' short story The Library of Babel', explain the architects. Showcasing the Spanish architecture practice's signature use of colour and raw materials, such as wood normally used for board formed concrete and a stretch plastic ceiling, the space is a composition of carefully curated shelves. Custom made lamps are created by artist Dr Cato.
Presented as a 're-imagining' of the traditional bookshop – and more – Libreria will offer a cosmopolitan atmosphere, as well as a quiet sanctuary for all visitors. This will also be a counterpoint to Second Home's techie side, as it will be, Silva explains, 'a technology free bookshop'.
Libreria will open its doors to the public this week and plans to offer a wide ranging program of events, some shared with its neighbouring Second Home base.
INFORMATION
For more information visit the Selgascano website
Photography: Iwan Baan
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Ruark Audio and Revo give the CD player revival a fresh spin
Ruark Audio’s new R-CD100 and the Revo SuperCD are joined by two more quirky devices to revive those classic discs
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
The new Ford Capri wants to tap a vein of Gen X nostalgia. Does it succeed?
We ask if the all-electric Ford Capri can capture the swagger of its much-loved but rather oafish predecessor
By Guy Bird Published
-
Rug designer Sibylle de Tavernost’s homage to Fernand Léger
Abstract modern art, craft heritage and contemporary life fuse in Sibylle de Tavernost's new limited-edition rugs
By Harriet Thorpe Published
-
RIBA House of the Year 2024: browse the shortlist and pick your favourite
The RIBA House of the Year 2024 shortlist is out, celebrating homes across the UK: it's time to place your bets. Which will win the top gong?
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
The new Canada Water boardwalk is an experience designed to ‘unfold slowly’
A new Canada Water bridge by Asif Khan acts as a feature boardwalk for the London area's town centre, currently under development, embracing nature and wildlife along the way
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Paddington Square transforms its patch of central London with its 'elevated cube'
Paddington Square by Renzo Piano Building Workshop has been completed, elevating a busy London site through sustainability, modern workspace and a plaza
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Architectural car parks to drive into, in the UK and beyond
Architectural car parks form an important part of urban infrastructure but can provide a design statement too; here are some of the finest examples to peruse, in the UK and beyond
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Architectural Association's newest show uncovers the architectural legacies of rural China's lost generation
The Architectural Association’s ‘Ripple Ripple Rippling’ is not your typical architecture show, taking an anthropological look at the flux between rural and urban, and bringing a part of China to Bedford Square in London
By Teshome Douglas-Campbell Published
-
Into the groove: Henriksen House is the UK’s first home extension featuring exposed clay block walls
Architect Michael Henriksen uses textured clay blocks, cork flooring and self-built joinery to transform his family home in St Albans near London
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
This unassuming London house is a radical rethinking of the suburban home
Station Lodge by architect Andrei Saltykov in South West London offers a radical subversion to regional residential architecture
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Join our tour of London Zoo, its modernist architecture and more
London Zoo is a well-established magnet for younger visitors, but there's plenty for the architecture enthusiast to admire too; our tour explores its modernist treasures for guests of all ages
By Ellie Stathaki Published