Can a 1,100-square-foot apartment hold thousands of books? If you ask New York–based firm Büro Koray Duman, the answer is yes. When a Brooklyn couple approached the award-winning studio to renovate their small Williamsburg loft into a space that would elegantly showcase their extensive book collection, the architects embraced the challenge.

In order to showcase the 2,500 books without cluttering the residence, the team has designed a custom library which wraps the perimeter of the open-plan apartment via staggered shelves.

Set at a 45-degree angle, the shelves allow the collection to be viewed from one direction, while hiding it via a three-dimensional wall in the other.

"The diagonal created by the shelves provides a motif, which is extended throughout the space with custom tile work and wood flooring," explains the firm. As a result, the collection is cleverly incorporated into the home—now known as Publisher's Loft—without being an overwhelming omnipresent element in the space.

Related Reading: 12 Functional Modern Home Libraries

Project Credits:

Architect: Büro Koray Duman / @burokorayduman

Builder: Glucaj Home Improvement

MEP Engineer: E4P Consulting

Lighting Design: Dot Dash

Cabinetry Design: Derek Dickinson, LLC.

Kitchen: Henry Built

Photography: Kevin Kunstadt / @toomanyphotosintheworld

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This Brooklyn Loft Keeps 2,500 Books Tidy With Angled Shelves