Library
Dujiangyan Zhongshuge Bookstore, Sichuan. How a history of water conservation inspired a bookstore
«Dujiangyan is a city with a history of water conservancy development. We want to move the local landscape to the indoor space of Zhongshuge», Li Xiang, founder of X+Living
Stibbert, Florence. An inherited home that blurs the boundaries between romanticism and Japan
Frederick Stibbert was an illegitimate son and a millionaire who amassed a collection that was a forerunner of D'Annunzio. From Egypt to the Alhambra: Monica Becattini talks about his home-museum
Waanders in De Broeren, Zwolle. Books and a deconsecrated church revised by BK Architecten
After a succession of fortune and ruin spanning six centuries, the new chapter in the life of Broerenkerk takes the shape of a bookstore: the Waanders family and the printing...
Librería Conarte, Mexico. A wooden dome for readers in the center of Monterrey
The council for culture and art is a space that wraps the reader in through a dome that plays with visual perspective
We Love Print, London. A magazine stall in London’s oldest market
In conversation with the founder James Laffar – «My grandfather used to know a few of our clients back when he had bookstalls in the Sixties»
Hydra + Fotografīa, Mexico City. Three heads of the Hydra serpent in a CMYK color mode
The walls are white-washed, shelves work as canvas, and books as paintings and artefacts. The colors of the book-covers contrast with the walls, curated on shelves, that do not offer...
La Fondazione, Rome. A 700-square-meter hall for sharing and dialogue
«The exhibitions are not isolated episodes but chapters of a single story we hope will lead to unprecedented perspectives». In conversation with La Fondazione Curator Pier Paolo Pancotto
Matter, Denver. Self-sufficiency in the DNA
Rick Griffith and Debra Johnson follow the pulse of time while infusing it with history. «We are connected to our times and we know exactly what to do»
Cărturești Carusel, Bucharest. The time-lapse of a building that stood still
The building was built to last and when the dictatorship was toppled, it was returned to its owners, resembling our nation: damaged but standing – In conversation with Daniel Voinea
The 2022 Verbier Art Summit continues its commitment to ecological issues in its sixth edition
New York’s Dia Art Foundation director Jessica Morgan triples her commitment as curator of the Summit, underlining the need for social change
Sauce, Dubai. Online spaces have become rudiment to retail strategy
Growing up in Lebanon during the civil war, co-founder Ghandour’s childhood informs Sauce’s philosophy. «I had to put my battle shoes on when the retail markets changed in Dubai»
Laforet Harajuku, Tokyo. A crisis of subculture
What has become of Japanese subcultures? In Laforet, in Tokyo, they still exist. History shows us how culture has always dominated markets in the long run, according to cycles
Transmediale, Berlin. A reflection of technology occupying socio-political discourse
Founded as VideoFilmFest in the context of Berlinale’s International Forum of New Cinema in 1988, the festival takes notion of the possibility of refusal, drawing a vision of hope
Future Library, Oslo. Will books become the next extinct species in a hundred years?
The forest whose tree rings are chapters in a book. How understanding the human traits in nature can help save the environment
Huis Marseille, Amsterdam. Approaching books as objects, looking at them from a store point of view
«The prices we ask are below their gallery prices and the edition is higher – it is a chance to buy art if you can afford it». In conversation with...
Wentz concept store, São Paulo. Forms found in nature as a way of designing
Guilherme Wentz expands the experience with the environment. Having decreased access to technology in Brazil, the brands product design is manufactured by family companies in the country
Ark Books, Copenhagen. The nucleus of esoteric novels
The thesis of the store revolves around the initiative of each volunteer and how they pour their time into Ark. As of now, there are twenty individuals who are contributing...
The American Book Center, Amsterdam. Happy Chaos, a treasure hunt
Being present in the pre-internet era, there are items at the bookstore that you cannot find anywhere else. This cult has become part of the stores image and reputation
192 Books, New York City. A mirror of the Paula Cooper Gallery
In the absence of bookstores in the Chelsea area, Paula Cooper and Jack Macrae persisted in operating a bookstore for the community of inhabitants for this corner of Manhattan
Amodo, Berlin. The story of two Italian expats unfolds in the store in Mitte district
Berlin’s Gallery Weekend and Art Week are occasions where Mitte bursts with people from around the world. A category of people aligned to Amodo’s ethos
Quotidiana, Milan. From Milano Card, unlocking the unexplored potential of newspaper kiosks
In Milan newsstands have been restored and reimagined as service points on our doorsteps, information hubs and places where people can meet and interact. In conversation with CEO, Edoardo Scarpellini
Studio Voltaire, London. After two years and a £2.8 investment, the arts organization reopens in Clapham
The newly developed building has provided a permanent home to Studio Voltaire, which had so far been itinerant, with temporary locations across London. The opening followed a two-year-long renovation and...
GoodNews, Barcelona. Independent magazines and signature coffee blends creating a sense of community
The story of the foundation begun as a response to the pandemic: «There was a sense of fear and an unnerving feeling that we as a society shared», explains Head...
Voo Store, Berlin. Cultural praesidium of a district
A place that tells the story of a district in Berlin: the Müjdeci brothers' Voo Store has 50 employees from 22 different countries. Danish design, rough walls and bare brickwork.
L’Arabesque, Milan. Modernist reverence for the past
L’Arabesque is an ode to that golden era of Italian culture, a love letter to Milan's history. «Time, in the world of art, fashion and design, does not exist: everything...
9 ¾ Bookstore and Café, Medellín. Reflection compensates its environmental footprint
Inspired by the Harry Potter book, bookstore and leisure space: educational activities to encourage children to read, in a Columbian setting inspired by Italy
Word On The Water, London. The halcyon haven for bibliophiles
Moored on Regent's Canal, a century-old Dutch barge houses an island of quirkiness. In conversation with co-founder Paddy Screech
Komiyama Bookstore, Tokyo. Three generations of curated vintage books
Having traversed across bookstores on a global scale to locations in Europe and Northern America, Komiyama found a lack of diversity of subject matter carried in bookstores in the genre...
Contra, Brisbane. Contrast and socialism in a concept store in Queensland, Australia
«When we came out into the scene, minimalism and industrial designs from Off-White and similar brands were the subject of interest. The lack of colors and box-cut designs were in...
Summer, Lyon. Clean aesthetics in a minimalist atmosphere
This Lyon store will surprise you with its curated selection of clothes, but that' s more than that. In conversation with Stéphane Sultana, Summer founder
Bart’s Books, Ojai. From the Seine to Ojai – Books is the forefront
Known across the globe for being an outdoor bookstore with an extensive library of books, Bart’s Books hosts an estimate of one hundred and fifty thousand books
Hypermaremma, Orbetello. Nomadic contemporary art project across the Tuscan area
«Hypermaremma takes art outdoors, following a calendar that does not coincide with that of the international art world». In conversation with co-founder Carlo Maria Pratis
Synonym, Hamilton. A terrazzo counter has become an analogy of the sense of fraternity in this bookshop
The elevation of a menu served to a township that relies on the support of its community. A spot associated with food, wine, books and music
Schwesterherz, Berlin. Pieces that have been in German or Hollywood based productions
The identity of Schwesterherz is ingrained with femininity. The brand is a means for individuals to give back to the women in their lives, regardless of the relationship
The Bookworm Hanoi, Vietnam. A hotspot for literature at the heart of Ba Đình’s district
Since 2001 the bookstore has been interconnecting Hanoi’s community of readers by creating a space for dialogue, participation and literary exploration
Ilaika, Kuala Lumpur. A single-floor store is stretched over ten feet
Concrete floors and wooden furniture blend in with the surrounding to avoid overpowering the items on display. Items carried are products that are based across East and West Malaysia
Cyprès Pantelleria, Giorgio Armani. A story between the earth and the sea
An ode to the island’s personality. In conversation with Véronique Gautier, Armani Beauty's Director, and Alberto Morillas, master perfumer and creator of Cyprès Pantelleria
Louis Vuitton, On the Beach. An ode to the West Coast and the city of Los Angeles
Created by perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, On the Beach is an expression of a day spent at the beach in the Californian summertime
Book and Bed, Tokyo: a goodnight’s sleep is something you will not find here
Books are the point for each Book and Bed Tokyo location and are a tool for literature-inspired installations. Set on the eighth floor of the Kabukicho Apm Building, it provides...
Eau de Cologne, Chanel. Jacques Polge’s interpretation of cologne
The modern retelling of the classic scent is being redefined by a focus on sustainability through sourcing natural origin ingredients, eco-conscious packaging, and creating circular economies
Louis Vuitton Florence: the restoration process
Design and art pieces for a new edit by Louis Vuitton a genius loci collection, a praise to the Florentine taste
Paper Planes, Mumbai. A milestone in the history of indie magazines
In conversation with Paper Planes founder Nupur Joshi Thanks on her digital startup focused on the evolution of design and print in India
Wuguan Books, Taiwan. The illusion of books that appear to be floating
Misfortune cookies and sex toys. Jettisoning the taboos that surround sexual desires Chu Chih Kang describes human nourishment in the darkness of a bookstore
Holypopstore, Rome. Know-how in the retail world
A physical and virtual container that combines art, culture, and underground fashion owes its success to its contemporary vision and know-how in the retail world
