What would you say to a bookstore on six floors in a historic building of former bank? This will find in the Romanian bookstores chain Carturesti in the Bucharest Old Town.
18. 6. 2016
© Cosmin Dragomir/Arcaid
Locally well-known concept bookstore Panta Rei with its vibrant cafes Café Diaz is a place that has visited maybe any Slovak, who not only likes to read, looks for a gift, but also loves quality coffee and tea. What would you say to such a bookstore on six floors in a historic building of former bank? This will find in the Romanian bookstores chain Carturesti in the Bucharest Old Town.
On six floors and over 1,000 square meters are hidden 10,000 books, coffee and a place for exhibitions, workshops and book signings. Nouveau building originally belonged to Nicolas Chrissoveloni, where housed the family bank. As many entrepreneurs as well Chrissoveloni´s builing was shuttered by the Communists and changed to a clothing store in 1948. After the upheaval in 1990, the building finally came to hands of its original owners, or rather to hands ot their descendants.
© Cosmin Dragomir/Arcaid
© Cosmin Dragomir/Arcaid
The first came the series of renovation, restorations and enlarging of areas. We can imagine how the communist heritage must looked like. The novelty was an adding modern third floor with a glass roof. The aim of the reconstruction initially wasn´t to sell books, but after a business deal, had to designing started to move this direction. The specialty of the building were 6 meter high ceilings, which would later take reasonably high library. Therefore, around the perimeter have been created mezzanines, which aggravated utility space and gave appropriate level of future libraries. Architects from Square One, who supplied furniture and did architecture, were inspired in the process of designing of mezzanines, by René Magrietto´s Golconda. The hovering figures on the picture gave this concept picture of the outcome.
© Cosmin Dragomir/Arcaid
© Cosmin Dragomir/Arcaid
In the result, architects weren´t trying to reach only coexistence, but an organic blending of the new with the old. Modern inspiration was traditional carousel and its rounded, soft edges, which are reflected in the shaping mezzanine with white metal balustrade. Corinthian columns after the restoration with decoration on the contrary, embrace historical heritage. The main staircases are curving on the sides rising from the first floor and leaving open center and the top is crowned by a modern glass roof. It doesn´t bring not only light to space, but also an element of movement and change, thanks to view on the constantly changing sky.
If you will go to Balkans and plan to stop in Bucharest, certainly visit this outstanding book store Carturesti and scout its visual spledour. It certainly won´t be only architectural, but also taste experience.
© Cosmin Dragomir/Arcaid
© Cosmin Dragomir/Arcaid
