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

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 […]

16 Oct 2024

Aditi Singla

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 and Project Lead Chintan Zalavadiya 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 space’s lighting design has been crafted by Tripti Sahni, principal designer at Studio TRACE.

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. Some of the loose furniture has been 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. A few pieces of furniture have been 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. Readers can thumb through books and meander over to the ergonomic chairs and plush sofa benches strategically positioned by the windows.

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. A few pieces of the loose furniture has been 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 cedar 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.

In this era of scrolling, people crave page-turning. They want spaces where they can gather, share ideas and reconnect. The club has repurposed the library as a space where they can propose auxiliary programmes around various 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. studio HINGE has enlarged the windows and cleared the space in front of them, besides keeping a large proportion of them openable for fresh air. In addition, they’ve 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…