Maastricht Dominican Church Bookshop

One of my favourite conversions has to be Maastricht's Dominican Church which is now a bookshop. The great gothic nave was neglected for much of the 20th century, at times being used as a bike shed (a certain Pevsner quote comes to mind). In 2008 it was converted into a book shop, in a striking way with black shelves lining the nave and aisles.



The new additions do not attempt to blend into the background, and therefore it is immediately obvious what has been added. it is reversible, and the mew use reflects both the serenity of church interiors, and the way in which churches were historically vital for education, getting information, and socialising.

The Guardian newspaper even named it the best bookshop in the world!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/jan/11/bestukbookshops