sou fujimoto forms a 'forest of books' at design miami/ basel

at the 2017 edition of design miami/ basel, japanese architect sou fujimoto presents a series of bookshelf structures that measure more than two meters in height. named ‘forest of books’, the project comprises five large sculptures that each stand at 94 inches (2.4 meters). in developing the project, sou fujimoto sought to reinterpret the intricate ironwork of the 19th century with organic forms that allude to a more natural setting.

the bookshelf structures measure more than two meters in height
image © antoine baralhe (also main image)

presented by galerie philippe gravier at design miami/ basel, three of the five sculptures are used to store books, however, the two larger pieces provide visitors with a place to sit. shape #3 includes a circular bench that wraps around the unit, while with shape #5, sou fujimoto invites guests to climb inside the cocoon-like enclosure.

visitors are invited to climb inside one of the cocoon-like structures
image © antoine baralhe

‘libraries are beyond time, an assembly of different eras, past and future,’ says fujimoto, who has designed a number of libraries and educational buildings. ‘a combination of search-ability and stroll-ability. a trip, a non-linear journey, in a search of a story, an information, a discovery.’

the project comprises five large sculptures that each stand at 94 inches
image © antoine baralhe

made of thin iron bars equally spaced around a stainless steel ring, sou fujimoto describes the collection’s architecture as a ‘very systematic structure’. ‘the curves of the vertical iron bars are reminiscent of 19th century ironwork – one could even say art nouveau,’ continues fujimoto. ‘reinterpretation of an old technique, balustrades with soft curves recalling nature — different periods reconciled together.’

books slot into the iron framework
image © antoine baralhe

design miami/ basel is a global forum for design, where the world’s leading galleries gather to present museum-quality exhibitions and installations of furniture, lighting and art objects. held annually every june in basel, switzerland, the show balances commercial opportunities with cultural programming — from a platform of panels and lectures ranging from design, architecture, art and fashion; to special commissions from both emerging and established creatives.

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sou fujimoto forms a functional 'forest of books' at design miami/ basel

design miami/ basel 2017 (6)

sou fujimoto (97)

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