Washington, DC

Project Description:

Chapters, a full-service independent bookstore, offers a wide selection of books on many subjects with specialties in fiction, poetry, literary biography and literary criticism.   In addition, an evening author lecture series brings authors and readers together in the informal setting of the Reading Room.   At the end           of the business day the staff transforms the retail space of the Reading Room by moving aside special wheeled bookcases and setting out chairs in front of the lectern platform.

An important criteria in the layout of the store was the need to retain continuity with the design vocabulary of the original Eye Street store, also designed with the same architect.   The understated design vocabulary has proven important to the store character and identity that has evolved over the past five years.

The scope of work involved fitting out a "cold, dark shell" (2900 sq. ft.) with a modest budget of approximately $14/sq ft. covering the extra-schedule expenditures including incandescent lighting and related switching, platform and step construction, carpet, new casework (in addition to existing pieces), painting, the computer/telephone network wiring and the PA/audio equipment installation. 

It was important to architecturally differentiate the two principal spaces - the Front Room tall, long and narrow leading to the back Reading Room which is spacious and extensively day-lighted through three large skylights.  The ordering of the literature into subject headings has been defined through the use of new and existing level changes and the layout of the book shelving units.   Special attention was given to the design of integral casework signage as well as the store window and awning signage.