McNally Jackson Cafe by Front Studio Architects

McNally Jackson Books is one of the largest independent booksellers in downtown Manhattan. The owner wished to re-conceptualize the cafΓ© as a place evocative of literature as the previous cafΓ© did not reflect the individual spirit and character of the bookstore and its users.Β Β A fluid collaboration between the owner and architects, all avid readers, the newly realized space creates visceral connections to the act of reading in each programmatic function. Β The majority of the renovation consisted of unique pieces conceived byΒ Front Studio Architects, in collaboration with the bookstore owner. Β The renovation was a makeover of the 600 sqf cafΓ© situated within a 7,000 sqf, 2-story bookstore.

The curved wall surrounding the seating area is covered in wallpaper made entirely of open spine books, the texture of the print adds a rippling effect of restless pages. Running along the wall is a series of folding single tables, carefully crafted to resemble a folded book when closed.

The folding tables are made from solid walnut and were designed in response to the client’s wish to be able to use the alcove seating in a more versatile manner when the store holds events. Eventually the design became β€œbook desks” attached to the wall by a leather strap that could easily be folded up and β€œstored”.

The wallpaper the architects conceived of in order to bring warmth and texture to the overall cafΓ©. It is a selection of open faced books, arrayed in a stacked manner. The wallpaper, from afar, creates a trompe d’oeil that teases people into thinking the far wall is covered literally in books.

The books are hanging from a series of regularly spaced steel rods. We worked in collaboration with the bookstore owner to choose the books with an eye for variation and diversity. Β The new menu is made of food related quotes lit by 4 light fixtures, each dedicated to the many editions of a singular book..

The new bar was moved further into the space to create better flow. The front is made of cabinet doors covered in penny tiles with a hand picked gradation of colors and framed with walnut sides and top. Β Ted Kilcommons, a cabinet maker based in Brooklyn, fabricated everything to Front Studio Architects specifications.

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Tags: books, mcnally jackson cafe, studio architects

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