A home for a book, a room for a book...
Maybe this became our most spiritual project. At a certain point it came to our minds to write on the walls above the book shelves quotations stated by thinkers of different times and nationalities about books, reading and knowlegde. Process of collecting the quotations turned into obsession and we received them from philologists from different countries. The quotations literally inspired the construction process and determined the image of the rooms and we were alsolutely convinced that books are eternal value. People will always seek knowlegle by reading books. Different times and places are joined by a word, by a thought. Because – in the beginning there was the Word.
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The quotations on the walls were written by students of Riga Design and Art school. In general there were many students involved in the construction works performing their summer internships and the spirit of the young people can be still felt in the rooms.
The first quotation written of the wall was that of Pericles: “Our love for beauty does not make us extravagant, and our love of things of the mind does not make us soft.”
Vaļņu street is one of the busiest commerce streets in the Old Riga. The interior design of the shop on the ground level is developed according to the proposed functional objectives and trade phylosophy – welcoming and democratic to wide public. In the middle of the room there are wide stairs leading to the first floor. On the first floor one enters a completely different world and finds himself in an enchanting book shop with its rich and assorted stock. The shop more likely resembles an abundant library in an old apartment. Books are verywhere - on huge bookshelves along the walls and on tables in the middle of the rooms. The shop also includes a small café with a bar and tables. Interior design of the first floor was dictated by the room itself and all we had to do was to surrender to its story. When the old wallpapers were torn off the walls revealed several layers of paint and marks from different periods of time as fascinating testimonies of lives of people. These layers were preserved and left visible. The old wooden windows, windowsills and doors were restored. The floor is a new oak parquet, covered with linseed oil. The old tile stoves are restored as well.
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Map
Interior design
Riga, Vaļņu street 26
Architects: Zaiga Gaile, Iveta Cibule
Client: “Aisma” Ltd.
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General contractor: “Būvnams” Ltd.
Project: 2000
Construction: 2000
Total area: 509 sq.m.
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