As we all know, now that we are experiencing the era of the iPad and Kindle, traditional books are becoming less and less popular. As a matter of fact, even some elementary schools are replacing books with iPads. I have a friend who just got her packet for attending University in the fall, and it came complete with an iPad 2 and a list of e-books to order for her classes.
People are handling this major transition in different ways. There are those who always chime in with, “Those e-books will never compare to real books.” Others accept the change a little easier by embracing and having fun with it. After all, you can even buy a can to spray around your iPad or Kindle to make it smell like musty old books if you really want that nostalgic feeling. Of course, children born today won’t ever know any different. They will most likely always do their book report research online instead of in the library.
Some designers are handling the change by looking at it from a different perspective. They are usually the ones who ask, “What will happen to the libraries? What will happen to all the old books?” We’ve seen everything from book typography to furniture created from old books. What about a house?
Designer Nendo created this award-winning house in Japan a few years ago. It’s a house created by using bookshelves as exterior walls. Visitors or people just passing by can stop and read a book. It’s like a house and library all in one. According to Let Me Be Inspired, “Semi-transparent FRP divides the interior and exterior spaces, allowing soft light to filter in between the bookshelves during the day, and letting the light out at night. Light creates a connection between inside and outside.” I think it looks real cozy. It’s definitely an inspiring piece of creative architecture.
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