In 2021, Studio Ricciardi Architetti was commissioned by the Mooks Group to develop a new brand identity and architectural concept for a chain of bookstores to be launched throughout Italy.
“Ma” is a Japanese concept that refers to a pause, an interval, or an empty space in which the mind can rest and the spirit can be renewed. It can therefore be understood as a moment to pause and devote oneself to reflection, the surrounding environment, reading, and culture.
Architect Selene Amico, a collaborator at Studio Ricciardi Architetti, introduced and explained the concept of Ma to the firm’s partners. Having already explored Ma in her own research project, she proposed an innovative vision in which this Eastern concept was, for the first time, translated into an architectural design methodology, opening the way for its application in a wide range of new contexts.
This inspired the design team to adopt the concept as the guiding principle for the new bookstore chain.
Following the first experimental project in Turin, the most ambitious and complex bookstore was completed on Via Etnea, in the vibrant heart of Catania, once again designed by Studio Ricciardi Architetti.
All the other bookstores subsequently opened across Italy draw inspiration from the original Ma concept, although their interior fit-outs were not directly designed by Studio Ricciardi Architetti.
The design of the Mondadori Bookstore in Naples aimed to enhance the existing architectural structure, distinguished by a sequence of arches and cross vaults that create a perfect balance between solid and void.
The space is organized into several distinct areas: a co-working space, a children’s area, a conference and event space, a section dedicated to Naples and its cultural heritage, and finally a place for quiet reflection—the “Ma Room.”
The custom furnishings, crafted from laminated poplar plywood, are inspired by the natural curvature of tree trunks. Their organic forms improve the display of books while inviting visitors to pick them up and engage with them.
A raised access floor accommodates the building services without altering the historic fabric. Where this was not possible, the exposed service conduits were intentionally left visible and painted in vibrant colors. Corten steel was used for selected display elements and service enclosures, creating sculptural structures that traverse the space.
Carpet flooring contributes to the quiet, welcoming atmosphere of what is fundamentally a public environment.
Finally, the influence of M. C. Escher is evident both in the sculptural staircase at the entrance and in the use of mirrored laminate surfaces. These elements expand the perception of space while emphasizing the relativity of perspective and the importance of seeing the world from different points of view.
