AUTUMN BLOG 2023 : THE LIBRARY
Design series : The Library
Hidden from view
The place where a person or family lives is a form of safe haven and comfort.
The earliest form of furniture was built in furniture. Inseparable from the architecture of a building.
Alongside our dining and sleeping spaces,
storage is a basic necessity of our living spaces.
Design influences
The bookcase started from a basic shelf as far back as history records.
The descendent of the bookcase was the Aumbry. An aumbry is a recessed cabinet in the wall of a medieval Christian church where they stored their religious scrolls.
As architecture became more elaborate so did the interiors of our buildings. Furniture design was influenced by architecture.
Bookcases are almost as old as books
Books were hand written and carried in boxes ‘portmanteau’ by scholars. Until 1440 Guttenberg printing press allowed books to be made more accessible for those who could afford them. Meaning a sacred place was needed for those books.
The European libraries in 16th to 18th century consisted of wooden bookshelves within the interior walls of the buildings.
In the 17th century we started to see furniture finding an essential practicality and usefulness in our society. During the Baroque style across western Europe, especially at the end of 17th century, this period had a marked effect on furniture design.
The glazed bookcase is believed to be invented by Samuel Pepys, an ardent bibliophile in 17th century.
The public library act in 1850 opened the doors to the general public.
From 1860’s to 1920’s, during the Arts and Crafts movement, people’s possessions started to reflect their style and identity.
Furniture not just for the upper classes and nobility, but for the middle classes.
The modern movement allowed furniture to separate from Architecture and stand alone as individual pieces.
Books continue to be among our most precious and treasured household possessions.
Even in 2023 with the digital age, you still can’t beat flicking through a hardbacked book.
In our modern homes we have used shelving to partition our open living spaces
We've created rooms that are dedicated spaces for a library and study
Design accessible storage
Ergonomics is an important factor when designing a bookcase or Library.
What you need to consider is to make sure you aren't overstretching. Mounting shelves for books so you scan easily and they are at your eye level
How high can you reach from the floor?
What's the optimum depth of shelf for a book?
What's the optimum height of shelf for your books?
Design for Appearance
A bookcase doesn't need to be square or rectangular.
Get in touch if you need a stand alone bookcase or library made for your specifications
info@alnfurniture.co.uk
Welcome to my new blog series!!
Check out my next Winter blog by Anna Nichols
Following Anna in her design studio, workshop and at local sawmills selecting timber
