Adytum Library: Pop-up library and wellness space comes to Braddon

When I hear the name Renee Douros, I think of a woman who has done it all and she’s still doing it with grace, elegance and flair.

And if you’re not familiar with the name, you’d certainly know at the drop of a hat the businesses and brands that she’s launched right here in Canberra.

Douros is an entrepreneur, to say the least – she founded Hooray! Magazine, then The Floral Society; The Sugar Deli; Planted; Oh Hey! Store and The Social Club. 

Her most recent venture is Adytum Library, a temporary wellbeing space on Lonsdale Street, Braddon which pays tribute to Douros’ long-held fascination with the “third-place” philosophy.

“The philosophy is a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in the 1980s and prophesied that the ‘first place’ is your home, the ‘second place’ is work and the ‘third place’ is the moments and spaces in-between the two,” Douros says.

“Adytum is an interpretation and exploration of this ideology.”

Having worked from home for the past six months, one thing I’ve learnt is that self-care and mental wellbeing should be an utmost priority and when you walk into the Lonsdale Street space, you’ll lust over all the products, sights and aromas on offer that will fuel you both intellectually and mentally.

The first narrative of Adytum begins with a diverse yet humble collection of wellness products, including hand-rolled incense, mineral-rich bath soaks, herbal tea and beauty oils.

The space also exhibits works by photographer Traianos Pakioufakis, Canberra-born ceramicist Alana Wilson and local florist Laurel + Lace.

But where does the library element come into play? Adytum has been carefully curated with a collection of design, landscape and architecture books. 

“The library explores the intellectual nourishment and repose one receives from the written word,” Douros says.

To borrow a book from the library, Adytum offers a $10 per month subscription service and borrowers can loan the book for a period of 14 days. But if you’re head over heels over a certain coffee table centrepiece, you have the option of purchasing it too.

They say it’s the little things that make a house a home and Douros says, “Caring for yourself means finding balance and solace, connecting not only with your mind and body but with your community and environment too.”

“[Adytum is] more than just a ‘self-care’ brand,” she says.

“Adytum explores how a state of wellbeing can be attained via a range of both experimental and physical manifestations that work to enhance and elevate daily rituals.”

The semi-permanent space is Douros’ first foray into the world of experimental offerings, a peek into what’s to come next year, an Adytum wellness and self-care retreat.

“This space will be a true urban sanctum, offering tranquillity and repose in highly considered surrounds. Services will include an in-house alchemist, juicery and bathhouse,” Douros says.

Douros would describe her journey to where she is today as “varied and non-linear”, rejecting the typical status quo of picking an industry and dedicating her life to it.

“My creative energy and intellectual curiosity have motivated me to explore various paths since graduating from the University of Canberra in my early 20s,” she says.

“Professionally, I don’t possess a burning desire to lead and conquer commercially-driven endeavours.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by an innate and overwhelming need to produce and be surrounded by projects of innovation and activity that stimulate me intellectually and creatively.”

And Adytum Library reflects just that. Designed by interior architecture studio Pattern with sustainability in mind, the space leaves a minimal environmentalist footprint. The central island bench with its sexy curved edges comprises reclaimed fibreboard and some of the display elements of the fit-out are sourced from salvaged building materials.

“We wanted to explore a non-traditional approach to how most libraries and bookstores are designed,” Douros says.

If my word is anything to go by, Adytum Library is definitely a must-visit on your next Braddon expedition or, at the very least, a space to be admired and let your senses soak in the goodness.

Adytum Library will run until December 20 and is located at G13/27 Lonsdale Street, Braddon.