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Collection by William Harrison
Editor’s Pick

Gigantic Home Libraries

These sizable modern libraries are perfect for active contemplation or just sitting back and reading.

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California homeowners Lynda and Peter Benoit designed a functional wooden structure to store books, keepsakes, and clothes. Photo by: Drew Kelly
California homeowners Lynda and Peter Benoit designed a functional wooden structure to store books, keepsakes, and clothes. Photo by: Drew Kelly
Ran and her brother, Gen, read on one of the structure’s 44 continuous steps.
Ran and her brother, Gen, read on one of the structure’s 44 continuous steps.
When architect Andrew Lister designed this wedge-shaped, Japanese-style house outside of Auckland for actor Yuri Kinugawa and film producter Owen Hughes, he wanted to make the interior feel larger than it was. The vertiginous two-story bookcase that takes up the entire northern wall of the living room draws the eye upwards, adding spacial impact without taking up any floor space.
When architect Andrew Lister designed this wedge-shaped, Japanese-style house outside of Auckland for actor Yuri Kinugawa and film producter Owen Hughes, he wanted to make the interior feel larger than it was. The vertiginous two-story bookcase that takes up the entire northern wall of the living room draws the eye upwards, adding spacial impact without taking up any floor space.
Ben’s office contains an impressive reference library for his inventory of antiquarian books.
Ben’s office contains an impressive reference library for his inventory of antiquarian books.
Dan Garness used paint and well-placed windows to keep Duane’s office bright and airy.
Dan Garness used paint and well-placed windows to keep Duane’s office bright and airy.
The studio’s second floor serves as a library. The sunken bathtub offers interrupted sightlines across the space and out into the backyard. The tub, like the library’s floor, is made of concrete.
The studio’s second floor serves as a library. The sunken bathtub offers interrupted sightlines across the space and out into the backyard. The tub, like the library’s floor, is made of concrete.