Feb
2

Selexyz Dominicanen

Book Week Continues With A Church Built in 1294

Bookstore Selexyz Dominicanen, Maastricht, The Netherlands; designed by architects Merkx + Girod; photographed by Roos Aldershoff

I have always loved buildings that have been reclaimed and reincarnated for a completely different purpose... barns and stables that become homes, and often old churches too find new purpose, such as this one. This stunning book store is housed inside a 13th century Dominican church (originally consecrated in 1294); the setting is dramatic and thrilling—it has won awards and been called one of the finest bookstores in the world. The juxtaposition of the grand and gothic architecture with the modern black steel shelves is genious and works together extraordinarily well. The wonderfully restored building itself is attraction enough without the added allure of hundreds of books. Of course, perhaps I love most of all that a building as historic and monumental as this one finds itself now celebrated and appreciated anew, avoiding demolition in the process, unlike many such historical buildings in cities around the world.