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Bookstore Selexyz
Dominicanen, Maastricht Building, Architect, Photo, Design
Bookstore Selexyz Dominicanen
Maastricht
Contemporary Building Interior,
The Netherlands
Bookstore Selexyz Dominicanen by Merkx+Girod architects
Photography Roos Aldershoff
Merkx+Girod architects were asked by the Dutch booksellers Selexyz
to convert the interior of the former Dominican Church in Maastricht
into a modern bookstore. For the same client M+G had previously designed
two bookstores in the cities of The hague and Almere. The unique location
in Maastricht however asked for a very different approach.
The store demanded 1.200 square meters of commercial area where only
750 were available.
The initial idea of the client to install an second floor within the
church was rejected by the designers, because this would completely
destroy the spatial qualities of the church. The solution was found
in the creation of monumental walk-in bookcase spanning several floors
and situated a-symmetrically in the church. In doing so the left side
of the church remained empty while on the other side customers are
lead upstairs in the three storey Bookflat. Climbing thus
becomes an experience and the reward lies in the close encounter with
the ancient murals and stunning views. The bookflat is
a clear contemporary gesture, an independent statement, that also
pays hommage to the monumental church.
The groundfloor gives room to several different bookdisplays, informationdesks,
magazine-stands and cashregisters, all made of standard sheet materials
in different colours and surfaces. The former altar now houses the
Coffeelovers café with a large central reading
table shaped as a cross.
Model images from Merkx+Girod architects
Bookstore Selexyz Dominicanen - Building Information
Project: Bookstore Selexyz Dominicanen Maastricht, www.selexyz.nl
Client: Boekhandels Groep Nederland, www.bgn.nl
Architect: Merkx+Girod architects, www.merkx-girod.nl
Team: Evelyne Merkx, Patrice Girod, Bert de Munnik, Abbie Steinhauser,
Pim Houben, Josje Kuiper, Ramon Wijsman, Ruben Bus
Restauration: Satijnplus architects
Realisation: 2007
Surface: 1.200 m2
Photography: Roos Aldershoff
Merkx+Girod architects winner of 2007 Dutch Interior Design Prize
The annual Lensvelt de Architect interior design prize
for 2007 has been awarded to Merkx+Girod architects for their design
of the Selexyz Dominicanen Bookstore in Maastricht.
Merkx+Girod architects have created a contemporary bookshop
in a former Dominican church, preserving the unique landmark setting.
The church has been restored to its former glory and the utilities
equipment has been housed in the extended cellar. In order to preserve
the character of the church while achieving the desired commercial
square footage, the architects erected a two-storey structure in black
steel on one side, where the books are kept. Keeping the shop arrangement
on the other side low created a clear and decipherable shop.The jury
was very impressed by these spatial solutions, as well as by the gorgeous
lighting plan. The combination of book complex and church interior
were deemed particularly successful.
Merkx+Girod architects
Dutch Buildings
Image of the original condition of the church:

Historical drawing of the church:

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Dutch Architecture - Selection
Almere Masterplan
Rem Koolhaas

image courtesy of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture
Almere Masterplan
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Comments / photos
for the Bookstore Selexyz Dominicanen Maastricht Architecture page welcome:
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Bookstore Selexyz Dominicanen Maastricht page
: adrian welch / isabelle lomholt |
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