Bookstore of Palazzo delle Esposizioni

Photograph by Alberto Novelli, courtesy of Officina Del Disegno Srl.

Project details

• Project Name: Bookstore of Palazzo delle Esposizioni
• Location of Site: Rome, Italy
• Design Team: Officina Del Disegno Srl (Firouz Galdo, Alessandra Gobbo, Andrea Schingo, Carlo Magoni)
• Project Type: Renovacion
• Client: Azienda Speciale Palaexpo
• Site Area: 470 mq
• Cost of Construction: 600,000
• Date of completion: 2007

Words from the architect

The Palazzo delle Esposizioni bookstore is part of a more general renovation project. In addition to integrating commercial functions within the museum, the store aims to be one of the most specialised art bookstores in the city.

Photograph by Alberto Novelli, courtesy of Officina Del Disegno Srl.

The project is based on the almost sculptural design of the bookshelves and the effect of this "sculpted walls/mass", emphasised by the thickness of the shelves and their vertical supports, is counterbalanced by the total rarefaction of the central spaces.

Photograph by Alberto Novelli, courtesy of Officina Del Disegno Srl.

The primary materials are wood and lacquered steel and the single chromatic quality of the white finish reduces the scale of the space, stepping away from the monumental character of the Palazzo's display spaces.

Photograph by Alberto Novelli, courtesy of Officina Del Disegno Srl.

The bookshop has two entrances: one directly from the exterior, and one from the interior of the museum, connected with a cafeteria.

In addiction of the bookshelves along the walls, in the central spaces low platforms are used to display books or objects of design.

The space is also characterised by its dropped ceiling, composed of suspended sails and perforated by cuts that allow a view of the vaults above and the penetration of the lighting systems, offering visitors a controlled and concentrated visit.

Credits

• Text: Officina Del Disegno Srl
• Photographs: Alberto Novelli