all images © Iwan Baan 

Selgascano, led by the architects José Selgas and Lucía Cano, completed new but very particular bookstore in east London, which is led by Secondhome. The small-scaled, naive bookstore is located in on 65 Hanbury Street, embracing the concept of 'traditional bookstores' with no-phone policy. The special inspiration comes from a short story 'The Library of Babel', which redefines reading matters with clear, fresh materiality by only providing digital devices inside to access its stock and events programme. Libreria covers in total 83 square meters area.

exterior view of Libreria. 

In Libreria, all books are presented in undulating wood shelves, even with the record player and whisky bar inside. Selgascano basically used two architectural main materials - 'recycled wood' and 'mirror' in the interior to highlight the books and reading matters. as it has always been in the past. All bookshelves and floor material are made up of wood but the ceiling is doubled up with mirror and the size of the space appear twice. 

The shelves of bookstore are formed by zigzag pattern, which is also allowing the reader a sitting place between the books. Books are arranged according to different themes on the shelves, proving the reflection of well-curated space. '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' says Rohan Silva, founders of Secondhome. '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.' adds Silva. 

Libreria is a particular reading space challenging technology or any distracting environment. The bookstore reshapes reading matters or psychology of reading by being exposed to enclosed space with countless books. In Libreria's design, all chairs and other furnitures are dispersed to inside as mismatched to make a feel like 'comfortable space' as in your home. It acts as a sanctuary space. For the next plans of Libreria, many international authors will be invited to speak and curate the shelves of bookstore and bespoke print will be available for limited-edition, which will be created near future for the pring press. 

"One of the joys of physical book buying is having an experience unimpaired by algorithmic recommendation – encountering works you might never otherwise see," he added. "When curated well, bookshops are the best place to encounter new ideas." said Silvia. 

The Libreria will also be a counterpoint to Second Home's techie side, as it will be, Silva explains, 'a technology free bookshop'. The Libreria shares a wide ranging  24-hour program of events shared with its neighbouring Secondhome base.

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