The contemporary bookcase

Geometry and minimalism in contemporary bookcases

The inherent strength of the geometry has inspired the works of many artists but also of contemporary designers who use it in pure form, especially in rigorous cut structures, preferring straight lines and square profiles.

Vertical and horizontal are the expression of two opposing forces whose interplay constitutes life. So enunciated Piet Mondrian in the description of his paintings.


As Mondrian in his works does a work of continuous study to achieve harmony through the balance of the geometries and colors, so those who love the minimalist style seeks the clarity and purity of the forms.

Ttherefore, art almost always influence our way of living and seeing life.
The apparent simplicity of the combination of vertical and horizontal line has in itself a study often hidden and not very evident on the balance. If an object has a specific function then it is right that its shape is suitable for the final destination.

Contemporary, simple and functional bookcases

The bookcase, which by definition is a furniture designed to contain books in an orderly manner, to perform well this task must be a resistant structure but it needs to have at the same time a synthetic line, so as not to confuse its ultimate goal: to contain books.

Simplicity, however, is not be confused with the lack of materials and especially with the absence of design: quite the contrary!

Making natural a structure is much more difficult than studying artificial and unusual shapes. We used to consider this item as a heavy and bulky furniture, but we try to imagine it almost floating in the air.

The company Misuraemme, following this concept made the shelving Crossing, which seems suspended in the air giving a very new sense of visual lightness to the library


Stable, multi-functional and versatile, it furnishes without disturbing. It is made of a material with high stability but that has an undeniable lightness: solid poplar wood 3-layer cross each other, plated between two layers of MD and veneer.

Design furniture in a contemporary bookcase

On the same wave and minimalist current, but with a different structure, walks the company Mdfitalia. The bookcases Life and Melody have in itself a common language: ordered sequences of lines and volumes ruled by taste and functionality.

Modules and systems characterized by square lines that adapt to the space without altering the environment. Each particular combination of its kind is the result of the interaction between the different needs of the user.


The module of the bookcase Vita, studied in their measures, are differentiated depending on the size of the containers that can be used according to the four main rotations; to each rotation corresponds a different use of the module and a subsequent dialogue with the adjacent compartments.
Each square measures 60 cm wide; the depth of the shelves is of 22 or 33 cm; the depth of the containers is of 39 or 54 cm.

In Melody, however, the shelves as well as the sequence of musical notes with irregular and descending pattern, realize a whole a sort of graphic layout that remind a musical score.


The symphony is made in fibreboard of medium density wood, with a thickness of 8 mm, embossed white lacquered. The compartments predefined by the different positions of the shelves also allow the insertion of large books.
The single module is always reversibile vertically in order to give discontinuous pattern in the shelves.

The bookcase over the centuries is designed and realized in different ways, shapes and materials.
Companies and their designers are inspired by the design of the complements, withdrawing from the past images and forms that have belonged to it, then transmitting them to the new project idea.


Antonino Sciortino, for Diamantini & Domeniconi, thanks to the wise use of iron, molds matter in a conscious and ingenious way, creating always complements that fascinate because of their shape and design inherent to the object.

The collection Piopio is based on the idea of a movement capable of giving birth to new forms and not static. The geometry used allow to translate the form of the library in a kind of functional sculpture to be displayed.

The iron is modeled masterfully creating an object that will characterize the space in a new and original way.

Tradition and innovation in the contemporary bookcase

And what if tradition crossed its defined and essential lines part of latest minimalist design? The result is already on the market and is called Skyline.
We talk about the renewed vision of the classic grandma's cabinet signed by Fabio Cocchi and Luigi Rotta, always for Diamantini & Domeniconi.
A creative structure and functional, where the appeal to tradition is strong but then it is different because of the chosen form.

The top recalls the metropolitan skyscrapers that bring us back to the contemporary state. More glazes we draw near and longer shows the effect of skyline. The profile so outlined, represent a line ascending to heaven, going further to emphasize the specific desire to characterize the structure with a strong dominant note.