A green haven for bibliophiles

The Champaca Library and Cafe in Bangalore designed by the city-based Office of Cognitive Design (OCD), is a sustainable ode to books and book lovers.

- Ankita Ghosh

Champaca Library and Cafe wanted a space that could help build a community and bring together book lovers and people who write, read, create poetry and artworks and who seek a meaningful, shared experience around books. They also intended to reach out to non-readers and children and help them discover and experience books, new and old.

Talking about the objective, Raja Arjun, Design Manager / Founder, Office of Cognitive Design (OCD) states, “The project was conceived as a bookstore and library primarily; and the cafe is a secondary extension to the primary function. The brand aspired for a simple and cosy little library which we don’t see in the city anymore.”

The space is created from upcycled materials. The use of bamboo shoots for lights, bamboo fabrics, oxide floors, reusable metal, plywood for furniture and found wooden objects to decorate the space reflect an eco-friendly approach.