This climbable and earthquake-resistant bookshelf is every bibliophile’s dream come true

By Maha Hassan Last updated Mar 17, 2019

If you are the kind of person who would run to fetch your favourite books even if an earthquake is threatening to engulf all there is, then it is about time that you consider shifting to House in Shinyoshida, designed by Japanese architect Shinsuke Fujii, which features a climb-able and earthquake resistant bookshelf.

The slanted bookcase was conceived after the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake for the client who wanted an accessible yet strong bookshelf that would not shake terribly while the tremors pass. The built-in shelves double as ladder steps if one chooses to place or pick up the books from the top but more than that, the western-facing façade cleverly protects the residents from being attacked by falling books during a passing earthquake wave. The floor-to-ceiling bookshelf hence does not only provide an accessible safe haven for the bibliophile residents but also gives the structure stability and an incredibly unique outlook.