MAKING THE MOST OF THE MICRO!

The National Library of Taiwan is a project that is being presented by bio-architecture formosana (baf) and carlo ratti associatti (cra), with the intention of transforming a large undeveloped suburban plot in the Xinying district. The public is anticipated to be welcomed by the library in the year 2023. The design of the new public building, which was commissioned by the national central library and suggested by baf x cra, is a place that is open and transparent. This design was successfully picked as the winner of nine different contests. This 51,000 square meter area is envisioned as “rooms of knowledge,” which define the current function of the library as a less formal and more participatory center. Going against the concept of a conventional and massive library, this space is intended to be used for this purpose. The property is situated in the middle of houses, a municipal swimming pool, and a stadium. It is located in a town that has around 80,000 residents and is home to various government buildings for Tainan City Administration. The purpose of the facility is to increase the amount of activity that takes place within the southern community by providing spaces such as a library, event hall, museum, and repository. These spaces are all connected to one another through the main axis that connects the north and south sides of the site, which allows people to enter this library town in a seamless manner. Integration with nature, openness of learning, and “museumization” of the library are the three primary principles that drive its design. These ideas are responsible for the library’s smooth flow into the community. Because the 5.7-hectare site already contains an ecosystem, the designers made the decision to preserve almost 90 percent of the trees, including the golden shower tree boulevard, which is a landmark to the community. This allowed them to plan the built environment to coexist harmoniously with the surrounding environment. Collaborative learning, open-source data sharing, and digital networking are some of the new-age learning methods that are supported by this environment. “The salon” is an interactive and adaptable environment for learning and events, which redefines the conventional concept of a “see-the-books reading room.” As a result, the design accommodates “the salon.” Furthermore, “the agora” beneath the solar canopy is a solution to the hot and humid town in order to give shade and harvest energy despite the intense heat and humidity. Despite the fact that the notion of “library as a town” is derived from the modesty of the setting, baf x cra have developed a design approach that challenges the concept of a traditional library. Through the use of contemporary technology, they are able to automate a variety of aspects of the library experience while still preserving the appearance, feel, and aroma of a simple book! Take a look at the pictures on the website indiaartndesign.com.