Case study: destination museum bookshop
“The V&A Bookshop has been designed in collaboration with Vitsœ intending to provide a peaceful, contemplative space that will encourage visitors to browse and explore”
Jo Prosser
V&A Enterprises
V&A Bookshop, Victoria and Albert Museum Completed 2009
“When we took the decision to create a specialist book store at the V&A last year, there was only one shelving system to consider. The impeccable design credentials of Dieter Rams 606 Universal Shelving for Vitsœ speak for themselves and were the obvious choice for the V&A, the National Museum of Design. As with any great design, the system is endlessly practical as well as beautiful – not something that’s always true of shelving solutions!
“Having worked with Vitsœ in the past, we knew that the excellence of the 1960 design would be matched by state-of-the-art expertise in terms of design, layout and service, and we weren’t disappointed.
“The Vitsœ team did a fantastic job. Their knowledge of their product and how it works best removes the need for a whole layer of planning and layout consultancy, making the product even better value for money than it first appears.
“That said, as with any commercial venture, we measure the success of the design not on its looks and the ease with which it was delivered, but on its revenue. The new bookshop has increased our sales of books very significantly, and allowed us to develop a space used by specialists and general visitors alike. 100% happy!”
Jo Prosser, V&A enterprises
Using the existing space
The space had exceedingly high ceilings and an established fit-out, such as walls made out of light boxes and suspended lighting.
We wanted to make the best use of the shelving system’s standard components.
The new floor layout would fit the maximum number of titles while still allowing for contemplative niches.
Those private pockets should be integral with the navigation flow of the shelves.
Shoppable and adaptable
We worked closely together with the customer to develop a retail strategy that would arrange ‘shoppable’ and storage area in response to eye height and visibility.
The easy adaptability of the shelving arrangement when needed has been recently made use of when sloping shelves were introduced for temporary display.
From standard components
Usually the system can be compressed between floor and ceiling to its maximum height of 3.5 metres.
Thoroughly tested in Vitsœ’s workshop, a prototype was developed comprising a ‘doubled-up’ and laterally braced compressed system that would work with the given room-height of 5.0 metres.
Lighting
By using the narrower bay width of the shelving system, we avoided a clash between the existing lighting tracks and the compressed X-Posts.
The semi-wall mounted system can stand in front of the lit wall and still be attached indirectly to it.
Applying signage
Cross-rails that provide lateral bracing between each pair of X-Posts were also used for signage by applying vinyl lettering to the anodised aluminium surface.
A destination bookshop
Within three days the installation of the V&A destination bookshop was complete.
Full specification
Compressed, single-sided
Compressed, double-sided
Wall mounted
Semi wall-mounted
Ceiling height: 5190mm
Structure:
aluminium natural anodised
Shelves:
off-white powder-coated finish
Metal shelf 90×22cm
Metal shelf 90×30cm
Metal shelf 65.5×30cm
Sloping shelf 79° 65.5×22cm
Cost of shelving per metre: £162* excluding VAT, including delivery in EU & EFTA.
Installation charge in addition, quoted for each project.
*From standard components, we customised the shelving to work with the needs of the V&A Bookshop.
Prices as of 2009