saraiva bookstore in rio de janeiro by 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, and photographed here by fernando guerra, 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.

the scheme’s restrained and inviting architecture allows the reading material to take prominence
image by fernando guerra (also main image) / all images courtesy of studio arthur casas

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 is found throughout the design
image by fernando guerra

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.

brazilian-walnut is employed as a warm and neutral backdrop for the variety of colors and textures on display
image by fernando guerra

bespoke ceramic flooring has been utilized to accentuate the lighting effect
image by fernando guerra

image by fernando guerra

a multicolored ramp encircles the children’s area
image by fernando guerra

the store provides local residents with a welcoming environment to relax, congregate and unwind
image by fernando guerra

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project info:

author: arthur casas
co-authors: christiane trolesi, mônica nickel, marcela muniz and renata adoni
collaborators: andré chung and christiana matos
contractor: LAR construtora
consultants: studio serradura (lighting); akkerman (acoustics); grau engenharia (engineering); stec (metal structure); badiá (legal consultancy)
suppliers: tresuno (concrete); levantina (ceramics); stantshop (racks); mr. cryll (concrete painting); montele (wheelchair lift); atlas (elevator and escalators); redsplay (millwork); casa fortaleza (carpets); flex tintas (painting)
interior design: dpot (beto, flávio de carvalho and beg armchairs); futon e company (paulistano chair with metal mesh); carbono design (c26. c210 armchairs and ottomans); fort corporstivo (carpets); lumini (fork lamp); estudio xingu (display objects); herança cultural (tables)
built area: 2,000 sqm
photography: fernando guerra

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