A library at home—sounds like a Victorian concept? Not really, even in
today’s fast-paced life there are people who would like to have a room for
spending time in the company of books
There are people who dedicate a room purely for reading and computer
browsing or double it up as a tuition room, guest room or office room, but
the species of ‘intellects’ who love the smell of books are yet not extinct.
According to M Dameem Ansari, principal architect, Ansari Associates
Architects and Interior Designers, libraries are generally set up in houses
sized 3,000 sq ft and above. Mostly the residents of such larger houses will
be able to set apart a room for pursuing some of their interests. While most
of them would prefer a home theatre or a gym, at least 25 per cent of them
would like to have a library and reading room at home.
“Auditors, lawyers and academicians who need to update their knowledge
base at a regular basis are those who mainly prefer libraries. For those with
space constraints, libraries can be squeezed into a cupboard or bookshelf
in the children’s room, living room or even bedroom,” he said.
Typically a 12×8 ft room, which has a wall as long as 10 ft is generally
chosen for a library. This long wall will accommodate a tall book-shelf and
there should be a study table with provisions for computer and drawers. A
chair for browsing and writing purposes and another reclining chair for
leisurely reading are needed. “If a sofa-cum-bed can be placed in the room,
it can also be used as a guest room,” said Ansari
A few racks of the shelf will have glass doors to display the books, while a
couple of closed chambers at the bottom can be used for stacking
newspapers and magazines. The writing table should be big enough to
accommodate a computer. It can have additional drawers for keeping
writing materials.
“False ceiling and diffused lighting can be used to give a different ambience
to the room and this is preferred by people who would like to read and relax
in the library. Some go for a traditional look while some others want the
furniture and other accessories to be contemporary” he said.
A 10x8x10 wooden finish shelf can cost upto Rs 1.5 lakh. The writing table,
tea table, sofa, false ceiling and diffused lighting altogether can cost around
Rs 2.5 lakh.
Maintenance of the room is also equally important. Termite-proof coating
and pest treatments are done before the shelf is fixed. “The treatment has a
life of five years. This will keep away most of the insects and pests that
infest wood and paper,” he said.
By Sangeetha.G,
Based on Interview of Mr. Dameem Ansari Published in Financial Chronicles.
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