Several Hundred VOCs*

There is a shrinking market for new editions of books. They are heavy, fixed in orientation and aren’t instantly ‘searchable’. Despite the fact that books are no less portable than e-readers; have the additional benefits of never needing to be recharged or backed-up and can be read in the bath… safely; their position as a dominant vehicle for delivering ideas is being challenged. Very recently, and for the first time, Amazon’s e-book sales have overtaken it’s printed book sales.

In the face of this dizzying electronic vending binge, there remains a solid market for traditional printed and bound books and the slow, face-to-face selling of objects.

You are asked to submit proposals for a city dealership in antiquarian books.

• Antiquarian in this instance = scarce and therefore collectable.
• It is called Several Hundred VOC’s.
• It caters for a niche market and is staffed by enthusiastic experts.

* The shops name is derived form an article in the journal Analytical Chemistry, it is an abbreviation of volatile organic compounds. These combine to create the characteristic smell of ageing paper described above.**

 The bookshelves are located at the rear section of the shop, displayed on 'floating' shelves.Bespoke full height large frames, in the shape of classic armoire wardrobes sit in front of the shelves, rendered in a black acrylic that is semi-transparent. A long bespoke viewing table stretches along the back of the shop, with pull out plan chests where smaller collectables can be kept. On top sits a glass plinth from which customers can study the books more closely. The far wall is decorated with a large burnished metal mirror, which elongates the space and ties in with the tin ceiling tiles (http:///www.tinceilings.com).

A consultation area doubles up as a cash desk, with space for a laptop and telephone. Here the shop owner will be able to speak with customers, pricing books and looking up any necessary or requested information. The wall behind, features patterned wallpaper (timirous beasties)and provides space for the shop owners more personal objects, for example their favourite books, antiques, paintings, and personal photographs.

The selection of reading chairs in the space would be second hand, possibly from auction or antique dealers. To tie them into the overall look and feeling of the space and give them their new function, they would be upholstered in fabric which has the same pattern as the feature wallpaper. 

The display window acts as a 'live display'. A space where two people are able to sit, either to wait for consultation or simply to read a book. The large expanse of glass slightly tinted to avoid sunlight damage to the books.

At the centre of the shop sits the main feature. A custom made, spiral bookshelf. Which surrounds the support column in the centre of the store. The column wfinished in the same burnished metal as the mirror.

To the left of the window is a cabinet which houses larger books. With Black acrylic cabinet doors, and again a viewing plinth on top, on which the books can be rested and properly examined.

The small windows in the space are made of two panes of glass, between which printed paper is pressed. This diffuses light in order to protect the books from UV and also acts as a feature point, the pressed parchment reminiscent of stained glass windows.

The toiler sits within the confines of a wood panel curved wall (the same dark wood as the flooring throughout).

The main feature of this bathroom, are the Scrabble tiles, used to cover the bathroom unit and one wall.  (wooden scrabble tiles)

(Still to come- Floor Plan, Elevation Drawings and Sketches)