The program that is distributed on four floors with a total area of 80m2 included the design of a bookstore, coffee shop, a kitchen, a workshop and storage areas as well as places for the users to hang out, study or drink coffee. One of the challenges of designing in such small spaces is the necessity of considering the ways in which each centimeter meets the required functions. We aimed for forming/creating a comfortable and bright / lighted environment while maintaining its cosiness. The critical aspects in the space organization that we prioritized were to have the books exhibited properly on a single wall that rises along the gallery void and the bar used comfortably. In order to make all the functions work, we needed to make some reductions. Rather than preserving the existing staircase that connects two floors, we planned the main staircase in a way that would also serve to the upstairs of the store. While doing this, it was necessary to separate the areas of FiL Books from the residences on the upper floors. We used iron shutters that almost disappear when folded in the daytime and semi-transparently divide the space in the nighttime when the store is closed. It was aimed to give the feeling of spatial continuity and depth in both cases.

Design Team: Bilge Kalfa, Gamze Iscan, Erhan Sevinç    3d Vis: Işık Kaya