SUBSCRIBE NOW
    • Design

    A forest of books in Mumbai? Inside a library designed by Studio Hinge at Cricket Club of India

    OCT 16, 2024 | By Aditi Singla
    The library goes beyond simply housing books, it positions itself as the house of knowledge. Demarcated circular flooring in engineered oak and custom terrazzo tiles are done by Bharat Flooring. All the loose furniture like chairs, sofa, bean bag, portable step ladders are sourced from Ikea. Lighting is by Zion lighting; Photography by Suryan // Dang
    Freestanding circular bookshelves, cosy reading nooks by the windows and other multi-functional areas ensure complete privacy and silence. Wall covering and cladding is done by Concrete Works. All the loose furniture is sourced from Ikea while the furniture made of Western Hemlock is sourced from Canadian Wood; Photography by Suryan // Dang
    The principal material used for the library is timber, with the windows in yellow cedar and the furniture in western hemlock. Classic Veneers bring warmth and elegance to the space; Photography by Suryan // Dang
    There are many varied zones in the library where people can comfortably sit and read. The circular bookshelves not only serve as functional storage for books but also act as subtle partitions for unobtrusive reading sessions. All the loose furniture is sourced from Ikea; Photography by Suryan // Dang
    It is a place where children are empowered to think critically, creatively and visiting here has become a cherished part of their routine. Enlarged yellow cheddar windows from Canadian Wood allow in both natural light and ventilation, reducing the reliance on artificial light and mechanical ventilation. Glazing is done by Saint Gobain; Photography by Suryan // Dang

    There’s something undeniably peaceful about reading a good book in the heart of nature. You plop down under a tree, crack open a novel and suddenly, it’s a sensory escape like no other. Now imagine bringing that very feeling into the heart of a bustling city. That’s exactly what one newly designed 4,500 sq ft library in Mumbai dubbed Forest of Knowledge does for all bibliophiles. 

    Located on the fourth floor of the Cricket Club of India’s building, this treasure of endless knowledge is helmed by Pravir Sethi, Principal Architect at Studio HINGE, who drew inspiration from the majestic canopies formed by the Ficus and Gulmohar trees lined together in grand thoroughfares. It is a thrill to find a collection of over 55,000 books, with provision for long-term storage of vintage beauties, old favourites, rare titles and quintessentials of certain subjects, all under one roof. 

    The library goes beyond simply housing books, it positions itself as the house of knowledge. Demarcated circular flooring in engineered oak and custom terrazzo tiles are done by Bharat Flooring. All the loose furniture like chairs, sofa, bean bag, portable step ladders are sourced from Ikea. Lighting is by Zion lighting; Photography by Suryan // Dang

     

    There are many varied zones in the library where people can comfortably sit and read. The circular bookshelves not only serve as functional storage for books but also act as subtle partitions for unobtrusive reading sessions. All the loose furniture is sourced from Ikea; Photography by Suryan // Dang

    In-sync with nature 

    Flanked in a monochromatic colour palette, the library in Mumbai is sophisticated, cocooning and every step tells a story. A striking cylindrical pod bookcase doubles as the main reception, offering a warm welcome to all who enter. The concrete columns wrapped in veneer and circular bookshelves made of rich Western Hemlock wood encircle around in the entire area just like tree plantations. “It’s where readers can thumb through books and meander over to the ergonomic chairs and plush sofa benches strategically positioned by the windows” Pravir mentions.

    The concrete columns cladded with Classic Veneers are reimagined as trees supported on arching branches. Around the central columns are freestanding bookshelves in circular hedge-like arrangements; Photography by Suryan // Dang

     

    The height and shape of bookshelves create a different experience for children, making the space between circular shelves feel playful, almost labyrinthine from their perspective. Lighting is by Zion lighting and the mosaic tiles are by Piccolo Mosaics; Photography by Suryan // Dang

    Curvaceous timber beams branch out gracefully overhead forming intricate meshes, transforming the library into a literary forest. Underfoot, a pattern play of terrazzo flooring tiles with chips of marble and green glass evoke the image of scattered leaves. 

    Gamut of conscious design

    The arching layout of the library enhances the user experience, with administrative areas and book sorting screened off cleverly from the visitor space, ensuring no distraction from behind-the-scenes hustle and bustle. “Care has been taken to ensure no bookshelf is taller than 1.2m. This allows maximum natural light to permeate from the windows and for most adults to have an unobstructed view while standing” Pravir explains.

    The visitors area is cleverly separated from the reading area with the use of circular book shelves. Hettich’s hardware elevates the overall experience within the library; Photography by Suryan // Dang

     

    Samsung’s HVAC system provides optimal climate control making reading sessions more enjoyable. All the loose furniture like chairs, bean bag, portable step ladders are sourced from Ikea; Photography by Suryan // Dang

     

    It is a place where children are empowered to think critically, creatively and visiting here has become a cherished part of their routine. Enlarged yellow cheddar windows from Canadian Wood allow in both natural light and ventilation, reducing the reliance on artificial light and mechanical ventilation. Glazing is done by Saint Gobain; Photography by Suryan // Dang

    Adaptive multi-functional hub

    As an adaptive reuse space, the architect has conceived the adjacent Zumba studio as a multi-functional area for activities that align with a library goer’s interests—film screenings, book clubs, new book launches, author readings, and workshops. Chintan Zalavadiya, Project Lead at Studio HINGE says, “In this era of scrolling, people crave page-turning. They want spaces where they can gather, share ideas and reconnect. We saw this opportunity and convinced the club to allow us to repurpose it as a space in which we proposed auxiliary programmes around their interests.”   

    The solid Greenlam door and a cylindrical pod bookcase that serves as the main reception makes for a unique entrance and sets the tone of the space. The walls are washed with Asian Paints; Photograph by Suryan // Dang

    The library stands as a reminder that good design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also ensures that every element serves a purpose. Pravir elaborates, “We’ve enlarged the windows and cleared the space in front of them, besides keeping a large proportion of them openable for fresh air. In addition we’ve also prioritised conscious strokes of sustainably harvested materials to craft an environmentally responsible space.” The result feels plucked straight from the pages of a chic design anthology.

    Scroll to see more glimpses of the library at Cricket Club of India…

     

    The principal material used for the library is timber, with the windows in yellow cedar and the furniture in western hemlock. Classic Veneers bring warmth and elegance to the space; Photography by Suryan // Dang

     

    The timber branches intertwine overhead to form meshes. They are 16mm thick and clad over 20mm square hollow box sections in steel. They not only provide functional support but also add an artistic touch to the library’s ambience; Photography by Suryan // Dang

     

    Freestanding circular bookshelves, cosy reading nooks by the windows and other multi-functional areas ensure complete privacy and silence. Wall covering and cladding is done by Concrete Works. All the loose furniture is sourced from Ikea while the furniture made of Western Hemlock is sourced from Canadian Wood; Photography by Suryan // Dang

     

    Custom terrazzo is done by Bharat Flooring and the mosaic tiles are by Piccolo Mosaics; Photography by Suryan // Dang

    Read More: 7 global schools and institutions in India and Dubai that encourage learning through design and architecture