Located a short walk from Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery, in the historic center of Florence, BRAC bookstore is conceived as a retail design bookstore combining reading, dining and social interaction within a compact and welcoming environment.
The interior project, developed through minimal yet precise interventions, is designed by Javier Deferrari and Lavinia Modesti.
A project between culture and conviviality
DEFERRARI+MODESTI define the identity of the space through a restrained yet effective design language. The bookstore reinterprets the café littéraire concept, combining a contemporary art bookshop with a café and a vegetarian and vegan kitchen.
The cultural program becomes an integral part of the project, reinforcing its relational and social dimension.
The courtyard as spatial and acoustic device
The internal courtyard is the core of the project, defined by verticality, color and flexibility. More than 5,000 fabric strips create an immersive and dynamic environment while improving acoustic performance.
The installation is supported by a modular steel cable structure that allows continuous reconfiguration over time.
Acoustic control and adaptable space
A system of foldable sound-absorbing curtains complements the textile installation, allowing the courtyard to be enclosed when needed and reducing sound transmission to surrounding buildings.
This solution enhances the adaptability of the space without altering its visual identity.
Materials and interior solutions
Natural materials such as oak wood and bamboo define the interior palette. Wall-mounted shelving improves visibility and optimizes space, while neutral tones create a balanced atmosphere.
Layered identity and spatial continuity
The project preserves traces of previous architectural interventions, reinforcing the layered identity of the space. The courtyard acts as the central creative element, while the entrance display remains flexible and continuously updated.
The kitchen completes the experience, supporting a vegetarian and vegan offering aligned with the overall concept.
Credits
Project Libreria BRAC
Location Florence, via de’ Vagellai 18r
Design / Architecture DEFERRARI+MODESTI
Acoustic Consultant Ing. Antonio Lotti
Contractors Edilpino, Stefano Favigni, Stefano Corti
Area 75 sqm
Photo credit Anna Postano
by AN Shopfitting Magazine no.136 ©