Casa Brutus – Number 299: Book Forest

Casa BRUTUS is a monthly publication from Magazine House. It is a lifestyle and design magazine that presents beautiful living topics such as design, fashion, architecture, gourmet food, travel, art, and more. The magazine is released on the 10th of each month. 

(Japanese language only!)

BOOK FOREST
Libraries, bookstores, book cafes and hotels
To a beautiful forest of books

Why are we attracted to spaces surrounded by books?
Featured libraries and bookstores of the new era!

As the book "Why working makes you unable to read" became a bestseller,
while adults are noticeably turning away from reading,
it seems that beautiful spaces surrounded by books, such as libraries, micro-libraries and book cafes,
are somehow increasing.
In particular, in recent years, libraries have not only been architecturally beautiful and dynamic,
but also have been designed with an emphasis on the experience of meeting books and reading books, such as by devising book displays, book selections, signage plans and furniture selections, and by having cafes attached.
In today's world, where reading is becoming out of the ordinary, it may be important to be in a space where you can immerse yourself in books,
a place surrounded by people's intellect and history.
In addition, as the center of the local community, they also have a role as a place separate from society.
We will feature libraries and bookstores of all sizes across the country in this new era!

BEST LIBRARY
Ishikawa Prefectural Library
The number one library in Japan. A library like an amphitheater.
Seven themes for creating a beautiful forest of books.
Architect Senda Mitsuru: Libraries should be "safe bases in the city."
Designer Kawakami Motomi: Library chairs are a place that connects you to unknown cultures.

CHILDREN'S BOOK FOREST
Why do you continue to create children's book forests, Tadao Ando?
Children's Book Forest Kumamoto etc.

BRAND NEW
A new and popular library that you'll want to make your travel destination.
Ojiya City People, Town and Culture Co-Creation Center Hontoka by Hirata Akihisa
Sagawa Town Library Sakuto by Ishibashi Shinagara Architects + Morishita Daisuke

MODERNISM
Junzo Sakakura's modernist government building becomes a library + hotel.
Iga City Old Ueno Government Building Renovation Plan by MARU. Architecture

ARCHITECT
How to create the ideal library, as imagined by a master architect.
Toyo Ito / Onikuru, Ibaraki City Cultural and Childcare Complex, etc.
Kengo Kuma / Yusuhara Town Library (Library Above the Clouds), etc.

BOOK DIRECTOR
What is the new library that Masataka Haba envisions?
Kanagawa Prefectural Library Main Building / Sapporo City Library and Information Center / Donko

BOOK LOVER
Kaho Miyake's way of reading while working.
Kyoto Prefectural Library

NEXT LIBRARY
Understanding the "library of the future" in about 5 minutes.

SPECIALITY
A specialized library where you can enjoy special spaces and archives.
Underground Library / Kadokawa Musashino Museum / Magical Literature Museum
Machi Library / Waseda University International Literature Museum (Haruki Murakami Library)

PUBLIC LIBRARY GUIDE
An open public library that creates a new place to be.

ART BOOK
A bookstore where searching for art books leads to an art experience.
twelvebooks／NITESHA TOKYO／THE BOOK END

BOOK & CAFE
A bookstore with a cafe where you can enjoy time with books.
Bunkitsu Sakae／AURORA BOOKS／COUNTER BOOKS

STORE GUIDE
A guide to bookstores worth visiting.
SHARE BOOKS／PUBLISHER／STAY
UNIQUE OWNER／COMMUNITY

Special supplement
JIL SANDER GINZA

Regulars
Special series with original illustrations by Hoshi Yoriko
Chasing a love story: the colors of love

Takashi Homma TOKYO NEW SCAPES
Sho Sakurai's journey to learn about architecture.
Koshimoto Tomoki: Kashiyuka Shoten
Sukema Tomoki: MIRACLE CLOSET
Nagayama Tomomi: Design Hunter
Kodera Keiko: Restaurant Forecast
Hoshi Yoriko: Casa's Nekomura-san
Chill CARS: A well-designed car that will be loved for generations.

Language: Japanese