In the heart of Benetússer, Somnis de paper reinvents itself as much more than a bookstore: it becomes a place where books coexist with the social and cultural life of the town. The project transforms a former bank branch into a warm and immersive space, designed to rediscover reading as a shared experience.

Laia and Jorge, its founders, have spent years bringing literature closer to people through talks, presentations, and workshops. That vocation for gathering was the foundation of the project: to turn the 150 m² premises into an open, flexible, and characterful place where every corner invites visitors to stay.

The interior is organized around three central elements: a large counter and two islands that, rather than dividing, structure the space. This layout frees up the central area to host presentations, workshops, and cultural activities. Instead of prioritizing storage, a continuous perimeter path was designed to embrace the entire space, lining the walls with shelves and multiplying the presence of books.

From the entrance, the bookstore opens with a bright area dedicated to children’s and illustrated literature, creating a welcoming and accessible introduction for all ages. Visitors are then guided through narrative, comics, essays, and graphic novels, gradually discovering the breadth of a bookstore that has grown alongside its community.

Materiality reinforces the domestic and approachable atmosphere: the counter and islands are clad in small-format aqua-green tiles (Vives Cerámica), a textured floor adds serenity, and natural pine wood is used for the shelving and all surfaces in direct contact with visitors. Lighting combines playful, scenographic paper lamps suspended over the central area with more discreet light points in the reading zones.