Literature is a building block of knowledge but now, it has literally been used as building blocks of architecture. We have seen architecture constructed out of plastic bottles, car parts, cardboard structures. Shipping containers, ice, even hair has been used to build some interesting structures. But the latest element on the block is none other than books.
A few architects and artists have been using books to create some awesome book-based architecture for the past few years. Read on to find out more about some unique literature based architecture:
Book labyrinth in Rio,Brazil
Image Source : creators-images.vice.com
Brazilian artists Gualter Pupo and Marco Saboya designed this installation from 250,000 books. The book labyrinth required more than 50 volunteers to help in its creation. The maze at some places is more than eight feet tall and visitors were enthralled with the brilliant composition of colors, textures and philosophy. The stunning installation was created concurrently with the Rio Olympics, and took the breath away of whoever saw it.
Book Mountain
The Book Mountain is aptly named as it was made from a mountain of books – 150,000 books to be exact. The firm MVRDV, an architecture firm based in Rotterdam were the designers and executors of this spellbinding project, which was a library for the town of Spijkenisse, Netherlands. The Book Mountain is truly an architectural marvel, and has earned the respect of architects and artists worldwide for the superb handling of the 100,000 sq ft.
Matej Karen’s Scanner and Octagonal Book Cell
Matej Karen is a Slovakian artist whose installation Scanner is a fantastical expression of being immersed in books. It is a gigantic fort which is made from thousands of books. Any bookworm would love to walk around this wonderful installation in the Museum of Modern Art, Bologna. Of course, for those who love the musty smell of old books, it has another dimension.
The octagonal Book Cell is another work by Matej Karen which fills one with awe and wonder.
Book Waterfall
Alicia Martin, a Spanish artist made this astonishing book waterfall from 5,000 books for the Casa de America in Madrid, Spain. Literature tumbling cascading out of the window is her symbolic interpretation of thoughts and observations which tumble out at us when we’re reading a book, sometimes even chaotic. The movement of ideas is represented by the book waterfall.
Book Igloo
Image Source : thisiscolossal.com
Miler Lagos, a Columbian artist, made this self-sustaining igloo out of books which he named home. All literature lovers would love a home like this one!
Mushrooming books
Artist and architect Rodney LaTourelle had an interesting idea – he wanted to let books become a part of nature, naturally. To make this happen, he stacked books outdoors and infested them with mushrooms. After two years, the mushrooms have taken over the books, and the books are decomposing and in the process of being one with nature.
Marta Minujin’s Book Tower
Image Source : thenextroad.com
Marta Minujin, the Argentinian artist constructed an incredible 25 meter book tower from 30,000 books. The books were compiled from all languages and genres, to symbolize the Tower of Babel. The artist designed the tower to mark Buenos Aires as the 2011’s World Book Capital. The books were donated by libraries, readers and upward of 50 embassies, which were then used to create the seven storied book tower.
Book Playhouse
A wonderful way to introduce and attract children to books – this play house located in the children’s section of the Public Library of the city of Iowa. Complete with windows and a door, children can crawl inside and play or read surrounded by books.
Recycled Book House
Image Source : static.guim.co.uk
Georges Miller and Janet Cardiff constructed a mini house using hundreds of recycled books, for the Fruitmarket Gallery and Oxford Modern Art. The windowless house provides shelter without distraction.
Book Fort
This book fort for children in the Trondheim library is a favorite of children who visit the library.
Instead of using brick and mortar for their artistic expressions, these architects and designers have made wonderful use of books as their base material.