We were approached by the client with her mission to open a community focused independent bookstore in the charming downtown of Old Greenwich, Connecticut. The retail space chosen for the store was narrow and deep, with a central circular space defined by existing millwork. Early on in the process, we chose to embrace and preserve the circular area, building the program and spatial sequencing off of it. The circle quickly became the heart of the design: the area to congregate and commune over books. Today, Athena stands as one of the most popular independent bookstore’s in New England, regularly hosting authors and community events and providing a much needed calm space to meet and shop.