Ark Booktower

Totally stunning piece by Rintala Eggertsson Architects, part of the small spaces investigation at the V&A. This is very wrongly not getting the headlines, because it is a gem. Five levels of cheap pine, bits of blockboard, exposed screws, hex bolts and wire have never felt so good. Reviews all focus on this lack of 'finish' here, but it is so far and beyond that level of critique. It is emotionally at ease, and at the same time fully inspiring, its a library, its a house, a sanctuary, a swaying (it moves a lot) scuplture, its somewhere i would like to spend lots of time, and sleep given half a chance.
The shelf framework is infilled by the books, all facing outward, acting not unlike insulation within a stud wall. But because you can only see the edges of the pages, its essentially a mono colour exterior, only revealing every hue imaginable as you enter and see the books covers.
Towers, by their conception, are not usually discreet, they are structures of power and presence, but that dynamic is wholly subverted here.
(Check out their site if you have a chance, the floating structures and buildings are super cool too.)