Texturizing space

The Hirikata T-SITE bookstore, located in a popular shopping center near Osaka, Japan, is a tranquil respite from the busy world. Dramatic two-story walls of books surround customers who are encouraged to sit, read and relax on lounge furniture or in the coffee shop area.

The bookstore also features three 26-foot-high floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with natural light. Akane Moriyama, a Japanese textile designer based in Stockholm, was tapped to design curtains for the windows, to protect against the afternoon sun and bring an additional soft texture to the space.

The curtains are actually three different layers of materials to create depth and movement: semi-transparent gray organza with silver patterns that reflect light from outside, a beige plain-weave fabric to block the sunlight, and semi-transparent yellow organza that illuminates shadows cast from the outer layers.

Together, they block the sun but provide a patterned soft light that adds a unique detail to the bookstore space.

The curtains open and close with a remote control and are stored on a spiral curtain track once opened.