Reading matter: Second Home's bookshop, Libreria, opens its doors

Following up on their acclaimed work for one of London's key creative work spaces, Second Home, architects José Selgas and Lucía Cano of Selgascano have just unveiled their newest collaboration with the company's founders, Rohan Silva and Sam Aldenton; Libreria is the capital's latest heaven for book-lovers.
Sitting opposite the Second Home premises, East London's 'space for entrepreneurs and creative businesses', this new book shop, printing press and multimedia space on 65 Hanbury Street is a celebration of reading. The space explores new ways of presenting and displaying books – there's even a record player and whisky bar on site. 'We wanted to maximise the sense of discovery, via general themes, such as Mother, Madonnas And Whores,' explains director Sally Davies.
Setting up a bookshop is not about nostalgia, Silva assures us. 'Libreria has been years in the making – we believe in the value of books and literature and have wanted to do this for a long time,' he says. 'Across industries we are seeing a return to physical, material things and a fresh appreciation of craftsmanship. These things are not being killed by the digital; they are being given new life.'
The design concept was just as well thought out, using literary references and clever materials. The architecture 'draws inspiration from Jorge Borges' short story The Library of Babel', explain the architects. Showcasing the Spanish architecture practice's signature use of colour and raw materials, such as wood normally used for board formed concrete and a stretch plastic ceiling, the space is a composition of carefully curated shelves. Custom made lamps are created by artist Dr Cato.
Presented as a 're-imagining' of the traditional bookshop – and more – Libreria will offer a cosmopolitan atmosphere, as well as a quiet sanctuary for all visitors. This will also be a counterpoint to Second Home's techie side, as it will be, Silva explains, 'a technology free bookshop'.
Libreria will open its doors to the public this week and plans to offer a wide ranging program of events, some shared with its neighbouring Second Home base.
The interior is a clever and careful configuration of shelves, wrapping around the walls, creating interesting book display areas, as well as seating space, a record player shelf and whisky bar
The architects drew inspiration from Jorge Borges' short story The Library of Babel, for their design
Libreria will open its doors to the public this week, also offering a program of public events
INFORMATION
For more information visit the Selgascano website
Photography: Iwan Baan
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Corner Corner may be London's most unique entertainment destination yet
The newly-opened venue combines food, jazz and—yes—urban farming beneath one sprawling roof
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
The Wallpaper* Design Issue comes with our Salone del Mobile must-sees
The May 2025 issue of Wallpaper* is on sale now, taking in Milan Design Week, the Venice Biennale, and a very stylish tea party
By Bill Prince Published
-
Aboard Gio Ponti's colourful Arlecchino train in Milan, a conversation about design with Formafantasma
The design duo boards Gio Ponti’s train bound for the latest Prada Frames symposium at Milan Design Week
By Laura May Todd Published
-
Are Derwent London's new lounges the future of workspace?
Property developer Derwent London’s new lounges – created for tenants of its offices – work harder to promote community and connection for their users
By Emily Wright Published
-
Showing off its gargoyles and curves, The Gradel Quadrangles opens in Oxford
The Gradel Quadrangles, designed by David Kohn Architects, brings a touch of playfulness to Oxford through a modern interpretation of historical architecture
By Shawn Adams Published
-
A Norfolk bungalow has been transformed through a deft sculptural remodelling
North Sea East Wood is the radical overhaul of a Norfolk bungalow, designed to open up the property to sea and garden views
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
A new concrete extension opens up this Stoke Newington house to its garden
Architects Bindloss Dawes' concrete extension has brought a considered material palette to this elegant Victorian family house
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
A former garage is transformed into a compact but multifunctional space
A multifunctional, compact house by Francesco Pierazzi is created through a unique spatial arrangement in the heart of the Surrey countryside
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
A 1960s North London townhouse deftly makes the transition to the 21st Century
Thanks to a sensitive redesign by Studio Hagen Hall, this midcentury gem in Hampstead is now a sustainable powerhouse.
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Manchester United and Foster + Partners to build a new stadium: ‘Arguably the largest public space in the world’
The football club will spend £2 billion on the ambitious project, which co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has described as the ‘world's greatest football stadium’
By Anna Solomon Published
-
'Bold and unapologetic', this contemporary Wimbledon home replaces a 1970s house on site
This grey-brick Wimbledon home by McLaren Excell is a pairing of brick and concrete, designed to be mysterious
By Tianna Williams Published