saraiva bookstore in rio de janeiro by studio arthur casas

saraiva bookstore in rio de janeiro by studio arthur casas

saraiva bookstore in rio de janeiro by studio arthur casas

saraiva bookstore in rio de janeiro by studio arthur casas
photo by fernando guerra
all images courtesy of studio arthur casas

conceived as a hybrid between public square and library, rio de janeiro’s ‘saraiva bookstore‘ provides local residents with a welcoming environment to relax, congregate and unwind. designed by studio arthur casas, the scheme’s restrained and inviting architecture allows the reading material to take prominence, with a diverse range of spaces spread across the building’s four storeys.

located inside a shopping mall, visitors enter the store through a double-height volume where suspended shelves and showcases highlight specific books and objects. bespoke ceramic flooring has been utilized to accentuate the lighting effect, while brazilian-walnut is employed as a warm and neutral backdrop for the variety of colors and textures on display.

specifically chosen brazilian furniture, such as the ‘paulistano chair’ by paulo mendes da rocha and ‘beg armchair’ by sérigio rodrigues are found throughout, inviting readers to spend time within the store. additional multimedia spaces are contained within the lower two storeys, alongside a café, an auditorium and a host of children’s areas.