Completed in 1993, the Waipu Branch of Taichung City Library has outgrown its original floor area and equipment, which are now insufficient for current needs. The existing indoor book arrangement is cramped, limiting the capacity to equip suitable reading furniture and facilities. Consequently, it is challenging to provide comprehensive reading services tailored to different ethnic and age groups.
According to the Ministry of Education’s “Library Establishment and Operation Standards,” municipal branch libraries directly under central government jurisdiction must have a minimum area of 1,800 m². This requirement underscores the urgent need for expansion. The project’s main planning and design focus on three layers, moving from exterior to interior: first, enhancing the connection between the library and the campus; second, improving the urban space of the expanded library; and third, integrating the new and existing library structures comprehensively.
Situated on Linjia Road at the southwest corner of Waipu Elementary School in Taichung City, this branch operates independently from the school. The original library consisted of one underground floor and two above-ground floors, covering 553 square meters. The expanded public facility base now spans approximately 2,100 square meters, representing 7% of the total 30,000 square meter campus.
This expansion marks the first project in Taiwan to integrate campus space with a public library through an in-school expansion. The design carefully balances the library’s autonomy with its connectivity to the campus environment.
The expansion is concentrated at the rear of the site, preserving a spacious open area at the entrance that creates a courtyard-like environment. This design provides readers and students with a pleasant semi-outdoor space for relaxation and activities. Additionally, the circular kindergarten playground has been repurposed to connect the campus and library, forming an engaging and accessible pathway.
Located on the ramp platform adjacent to the school’s sports field, the library faces directly north, exposed without shelter. To maximize this setting, a full glass curtain wall was installed on the second and third floors, offering unobstructed views of the sports field. This design fosters a dynamic interaction between activity and calmness. Beyond, the continuous peaks of Iron Diamond Mountain frame the windows, immersing readers in a natural ambiance.
The Waipu District’s economy is primarily based on agriculture. From an aerial view, the segmented farmland creates natural patterns resembling green barcodes of various sizes and crops. Reflecting this, the library’s facade features vertical segmentation with staggered elements, incorporating three materials—windows, glass bricks, and painted walls—to evoke both a digital barcode motif and the rural character of Waipu.
Project Drawings
Before Expansion
△ After Expansion
△ Project Model Diagram
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
Project Information
Architectural Design: TALI DESIGN
Area: 2,000 square meters
Year: 2021
Photographer: Hey! Cheese
Manufacturers: Original BTC UK Handmade Lighting, SEVES Sakura King, Formica Fumica, Rainbow House Rainbow Brand, Sanyuan Floor Three Round Wood
Principal Architect: Tsai Shian Gung
Design Team: Yingchen Liu, Shihyu Chu, Jinglong Huang, Yunzhong Lin, Jiayu Lin, Yangjhih Lai
Lighting Design: Odd Design Co., Ltd
Construction Contractor: Juhe Construction Co., Ltd
Interior Design: Dingjie Interior Decoration Co., Ltd
Structural Design: Guangyi Structural Technician Firm
Location: Taichung, Taiwan
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