Matali Crasset: Beach Library

Matali Crasset created a mobile library with a steel structure and fabric covers for the Romaniquette beach, Istres. Holding up to 350 books, it offers shaded retreats to “escape with a book”.

As a sort of echo to Marseille Provence 2013, French designer Matali Crasset has created a library holding up to 350 books for the city of Istres and, more precisely, for the Romaniquette beach which is located on the commune.

A natural and straightforward way to arouse the pleasure of reading.

Outside: shaded retreats give people room to “escape with a book” – a comfortable area under an alluring sky-blue awning perfectly suited to getting-away. And just beside it, a small library open to the world, enticing everyone to come and browse. Inside: books are presented in a different manner, semi-protected from on-lookers but simultaneously seeking the latter’s attention. Someone is there to guide you.

Matali Crasset, Beach Library, Istres, Marseille, 2013. Photo © Philippe Piron

“First and foremost, this is a project focused on beach life, proposing its own style, a new sort of kiosk present on the beach which speaks for itself, seemingly discrete and yet provoking a thirst for knowledge,” says Matali Crasset.

Matali Crasset has also personally invested in the project by displaying some books which she is fond of or which helped her to clarify and establish an attitude (à fonder et préciser sa démarche): Things: a story of the sixties by Georges Perec, La poétique de l’espace by Gaston Bachelard, The Ladies’ Paradise by Emile Zola, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Mangez moi by Agnès Desarthe, a personal and cosy library.

Beach library
Romaniquette beach, Istres
Design: Matali Crasset
Client: City of Istres
Capacity: around 350 books
Materials: steel structure, fabric covers
Dimesions: 235 x 540 x 620 cm
Completion: 2013