# Enchanting Literary Bookshops London's Liberia Bookstore is Inspired by a Borges Short Story By Rebecca Byers | Published 2016-02-24 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liberia-bookstore References: [retaildesignblog.net](http://retaildesignblog.net/2016/02/24/libreria-bookstore-by-selgascano-london-uk/) The Liberia bookstore in London is an enchanting space that takes [small bookshop charm](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weishan-chongzheng-academy-bookstore) to new levels. Designed by architect José Selgas and Lucía Cano, the space takes its inspiration from Argentinian writer Jorge Louis Borges' short story, 'The Library of Babel,' a 1940s-era imagination a library containing infinite knowledge in an unimaginable number of books. The Liberia bookstore has a strict no-phone policy and boasts an seemingly endless array of hexagonal wooden shelves made from recycled materials. In order to "recreate the sense of boundlessness" inspired by Borges' infamous tale, the [SelgasCano](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canary-house) team used a number of mirrors and irregular shapes to create a space that seems to never end. José Selgas and Lucía Cano are the team behind 2015's colorful [Serpentine Gallery Pavillion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/play-pavilion). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.5/10 - Popularity: 92% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Enchanting Bookstore Design:** Designing bookshops that create a unique and magical experience for book lovers can set bookstores apart from competitors and create a memorable shopping experience. - **Anti-tech Policy:** Adopting policies that limit or eliminate the use of technology in bookshops creates an atmosphere that encourages face-to-face communication and emphasizes the value of physical books over digital media. - **Sustainable Materials:** Using sustainable materials, such as recycled materials, to build the physical spaces of bookshops can create an eco-friendly image and attract environmentally-conscious consumers. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Retail Design:** Design agencies can capitalize on the trend of enchanting bookstore design by offering unique and creative design solutions tailored to individual bookstores and their unique target markets. - **Publishing:** Publishers can leverage the anti-tech policy trend to promote physical books and create marketing campaigns that emphasize the benefits of reading print books over digital media. - **Sustainable Architecture:** Architecture firms can capitalize on the trend of using sustainable materials to build bookstores by offering eco-friendly building solutions that use recycled or sustainable materials and prioritize energy efficiency. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Book Pile Retail Decor](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aesop-store-1.md) - [Children's Story-Inspired Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/western-academy.md) - [Mobile Glass Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-libreria.md) - [Book-Themed Bar Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/book-bar-toronto.md) - [Floating Wetland Bookstore](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xixi-goldmye-bookstore.md) - [Perforated Shadow-Casting Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mariams-library.md) - [Revolving Bright Kinetic Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/library-of-light.md) - [Demountable Wooden Retail Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/present-correct1.md) - [Wood-Wrapped Contemporary Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graded-school-library.md)