Archisteem 25: Friendly Architecture Curation - Happy World Book Day!

kimzwarch (69)in #archisteem • 6 years ago

Today's curated compilation: My Favourite Libraries

Today is the World Book Day which was started by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote reading, publishing and copyright. This is a special event that could be celebrated by Steemit as well since we are continuously publishing contents, read tonnes of quality posts and deal with copyright issues daily.

In conjunction of this special day, I would like to compile some of my favourite libraries that would attract you to go there and spend a day to read. To me, all of them had amazing and cozy interior reading space and some are uniquely designed in terms of building form too!

Here are 5 of my favourite libraries that I came across which I think will amaze you in some ways. Do enjoy and pick up a book today, start reading.

1-Tianjin Binhai Library

This library is led by MVRDV, a Dutch architect and Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute took place in Tianjin, China. The project covered an approximate 33,700 m² of library with other facilities and was completed in 2017.

This project is a cultural center that has an iconic luminous spherical auditorium that surrounded by cascading floor to ceiling bookshelves. In order to create a seamless experience in the space, the undulating bookshelves act as stairs, seating, ceiling, louvers and shelves for the auditorium. According to the record, the shelves could hold around 1.2 million books!

Personally, I love how the internal space is designed and how it interacts with the exterior surrounding. Internally, the space has such fluidity that I cannot find any sharp corner. With the bright sphere in the middle, the space is equally illuminated by the bright light that makes reading a comfortable experience. Besides, the library cum auditorium also has a large opening overlooking out through the building. This allows visual interaction with the outside world while reading which is great to relive some stress after a long hour read.

Ultimately, I just love the shape and geometry used by the architect. As for the reading experience, I had yet to have the chance to be there to judge.

2-Musashino Art University Museum & Library

This library is led by Sou Fujimoto Architects, a young and bright Japanese architect and took place in Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan. The project covered an approximate 2,883.18 m² of 2 stories library with a museum and was completed in 2010.

This project was first introduced by Sou Fujimoto himself at a keynote speech in Singapore Star Arena in 2016 (if not mistaken). My architecture coursemates and I were there to listen and learn from the master. Personally, I was amazed at how the concept of modularity and porousity influence his design and created such a wonderful library.

The key feature for this library is that the architect cleverly used 200,000 modular bookshelves to form walls and structural support for the library with open, half closed and closed appearance. This made the library to be uniquely simple and natural as it also enclosed with a 9m high ceiling. According to the architect, the library can be easily expanded with the use of modular bookshelves which make sense as it is designed in an infinity spiral loop pattern. For the reading experience, the luminousity of the space looks sufficient and soft. I would definitely go for a visit if I am visiting Tokyo. Perhaps 2020 for their upcoming Olympic?

3-Seashore Library

This library is led by Vector Architects, a local Chinese architect and took place in Hebei, China. The project covered an approximate 450 m² of 1 storey with 2 level mezzanine isolated library on a beach and was completed in 2015.

The special thing that I liked about this library is the context and location. I never thought of putting a public library on a beach and overlooking the extraordinary sea view while enjoying a cup of iced latte with my book. How amazing is this experience!

The library is separated with reading area, meditation area, bar, activity area and resting area. There is a clear segregation between public and private space whereby people can enjoy the crowd or choose the quietness. It is an unexpected complexity in such a small facility. I also appreciate on how the architect plays with lighting and building texture. There are different kinds of openings to bring in a diversified amount of light in a variety of ways. Some are through direct penetration while some are through deflection. As for building texture, the use of wood and concrete blended well.

Personally, I love this library as it added another place to be when I am on the beach. Perhaps after a surfing or kayaking session, I can chill out at this library enjoying some reading and drinks rather than hanging out in a noisy bar.

4-Sichuan Fine Arts Institute Library of Huxi

This library is led by Tanghua Architect & Associates, a local Chinese architect and took place in Chongqing, China. The project covered an approximate 14,259 m² of 6 stories library facility and was completed in 2009.

The special feature of this project that caught my eye is that this library looked like floating on a pond filled with lotus plants. The scene is so poetic and harmony that I just fall for it at first sight. The scale of the library is huge and I could estimate that it could cater for more than 5,000 people simultaneously.

The A-frame building form is simple and fit perfectly as the shading device for the building blocks in within. The local traditional housing structure was also introduced into the spatial design with the usage of grey bricks which is a common materials used in the region. The harmonious fusion of concrete and wood as the main building materials balances the cold and warm, hard and soft elements in this building.

Fundamentally, I do think the place is like a hidden oasis (世外桃源) in Chongqing and it is definitely a good place to enjoy reading!

5-Underground Forest in Onepark Gubei

This library is led by Wutopia Lab, a local Chinese architect and took place in Shanghai, China. The project covered an approximate 1,000 m² of 2 stories basement library and was completed in 2017.

This library is unique to me as it is built underground. In a megacity like Shanghai, the land is a scarcity and to build a library, it requires a certain amount of space and may not be available in the central area. Therefore, it is innovative to see the project chose to go underground.

"Even in the most luxurious district, reading is still an indispensable, heartwarming place"

This is the design statement made by the architect which I agreed fully. The library comes by when the community club of Onepark Gubei found that the demand to get rid of loneliness cannot be solved by spaces like fitness, yoga, spa, swimming pool, café, playgrounds and so on. It should be cultural spaces like a library, entertainment room, conference room and other interactive spaces. This could activate people with interaction through the mind.

In this high-end residential district, it is sensitive to build any on surface building blocks as the price of every inch surface land is as expensive as gold (possibly costlier). Plus, any alteration will affect the living and space quality of the area too. Thus, the developer decided to put the library underground. This not only saves up extra building footprint, it also creates a whole new experience for the residents and public to enjoy.

The main feature of this library is the usage of wood to wrap up the whole space, creating a warm, relax and soft space. Skeptically, we think that underground is cold and eerie which no one wants to stay there for long. Hence, to counter this mindset, the architect made this choice of material to create a welcoming atmosphere which could activate the social potential of the neighbourhood.

While the upper floor is brighter that caters to a more active group of people, the lower floor is darker and suitable for a more focused reading experience. Between the transitions of these both floors is a grand staircase that brings the crowd and light down. I love the volumetric space created by these level difference and also the variety of light spectrum.